
FX-8370

Ryzen 9 5900X
FX-8370 vs Ryzen 9 5900X Performance Spectrum
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
FX-8370 vs Ryzen 9 5900X FPS Benchmarks
Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.
Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Valorant

Among Us

Apex Legends

ARC Raiders

Baldur's Gate 3

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
FX-8370 vs Ryzen 9 5900X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
FX-8370
2014Why buy it
- ✅Costs $350 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Ryzen 9 5900X.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,800 vs 21,000).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 31.1 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
- ❌19% higher power demand at 125W vs 105W.
Ryzen 9 5900X
2020Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +113.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Delivers 128.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 31.1 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 105W instead of 125W, a 20W reduction.
- ✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌175.9% HIGHER MSRP$549 MSRPvs$199 MSRP
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike FX-8370.
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than FX-8370?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
FX-8370 vs Ryzen 9 5900X Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

FX-8370
The FX-8370 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,184 points. Launch price was $199.


Ryzen 9 5900X
The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.
Processing Power
The FX-8370 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the FX-8370 versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 11% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The FX-8370 uses the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8370 scores 6,184 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 145.2% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 3,800 vs 21,000 (138.7% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 520 vs 2,174, a 122.8% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,050 vs 11,888 (141.2% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X).
| Feature | FX-8370 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8 | 12 / 24+50% |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz | 4.8 GHz+12% |
| Base Clock | 4 GHz+8% | 3.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 64 MB |
| L2 Cache | 8192 kB+1500% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-78% |
| Architecture | Vishera (2012−2015) | Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) |
| PassMark | 6,184 | 38,955+530% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 3,800 | 21,000+453% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 520 | 2,174+318% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,050 | 11,888+480% |
Memory & Platform
The FX-8370 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the FX-8370 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900X — the Ryzen 9 5900X supports 71.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 5900X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (FX-8370) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 970,990FX,990X (FX-8370) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).
| Feature | FX-8370 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3+ | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 4.0+100% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | DDR4-3200+71% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 128 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | No | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 24+20% |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Primary use case: FX-8370 targets Legacy Gaming, Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: FX-8370 rivals Core i5-6400; Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.
| Feature | FX-8370 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Legacy Gaming | Workstation |
Value Analysis
At launch, the FX-8370 was priced at $199, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($199 vs $549), FX-8370 was $350 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-8370 delivers 31.1 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 78.2% better value option.
| Feature | FX-8370 | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199-64% | $549 |
| Performance per Dollar | 31.1 | 71.0+128% |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2020 |
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