FX-9590 vs Ryzen Z2

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-9590 vs Ryzen Z2 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.

FX-9590 vs Ryzen Z2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

FX-9590

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Z2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $350 MSRP, while Ryzen Z2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2650% higher power demand at 220W vs 8W.
❌Older platform position on AM3+, while Ryzen Z2 moves to FP7/FP7r2/FP8 and DDR5.

Ryzen Z2

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 8W instead of 220W, a 212W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP7/FP7r2/FP8 with DDR5 support instead of AM3+ and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,106 vs 10,194).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Z2 better than FX-9590?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen Z2 is ahead with a 6.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, FX-9590 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-9590 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen Z2 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen Z2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $350 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. FX-9590 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (29.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen Z2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2013) and a healthier platform with FP7/FP7r2/FP8 and DDR5 instead of AM3+. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

FX-9590 vs Ryzen Z2 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

FX-9590

The FX-9590 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 July 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 220 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,194 points. Launch price was $149.

Ryzen Z2

The Ryzen Z2 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP7r2/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 MB + 16 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 10,106 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The FX-9590 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Ryzen Z2's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the FX-9590 versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen Z2 — a 2% clock advantage for the Ryzen Z2 (base: 4.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The FX-9590 uses the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen Z2 uses Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the FX-9590 scores 10,194 against the Ryzen Z2's 10,106 — a 0.9% lead for the FX-9590.

Feature	FX-9590	Ryzen Z2
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock	4.7 GHz+42%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	—	16 MB
L2 Cache	8192 kB	8 MB
Process	32 nm	4 nm-88%
Architecture	Vishera (2012−2015)	Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025)
PassMark	10,194	10,106

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Memory & Platform

The FX-9590 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen Z2 uses FP7/FP7r2/FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.