Pentium 4 2.40 vs Ryzen 9 5900X

Pentium 4 2.40 vs Ryzen 9 5900X Performance Spectrum

Pentium 4 2.40

1 / 1

325

0.0%

38,955

+11886.2%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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.

Pentium 4 2.40 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.

Pentium 4 2.40 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.

Pentium 4 2.40

2004

Why buy it

✅Costs $356 less on MSRP ($193 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (325 vs 38,955).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.7 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($193 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3329.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 4113.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 1.7 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $193 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 110W, a 5W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
184.5% HIGHER MSRP
$549 MSRPvs$193 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Pentium 4 2.40?

Yes. Ryzen 9 5900X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3329.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 11886.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 5900X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3329.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 5900X is the stronger fit. You are getting 11886.2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.

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

Ryzen 9 5900X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 9 5900X comes in 184.5% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $193 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3329.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 4113.7% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 1.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 9 5900X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2004) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium 4 2.40 vs Ryzen 9 5900X Technical Specifications

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

Pentium 4 2.40

The Pentium 4 2.40 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 110 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 325 points. Launch price was $69.

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 Pentium 4 2.40 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 11 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Pentium 4 2.40 versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X. The Pentium 4 2.40 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (90 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium 4 2.40 scores 325 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 196.7% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Pentium 4 2.40 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.

Feature	Pentium 4 2.40	Ryzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	12 / 24+1100%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	4.8 GHz+100%
Base Clock	—	3.7 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	64 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	90 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-92%
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	325	38,955+11886%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	21,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,174
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	11,888

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium 4 2.40 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 400 on the Pentium 4 2.40 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900X — the Ryzen 9 5900X supports 700% 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 4 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Pentium 4 2.40) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 5900X). Chipset compatibility: Socket 478 (Pentium 4 2.40) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).

Feature	Pentium 4 2.40	Ryzen 9 5900X
Socket	PGA478	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 4.0+264%
Max RAM Speed	400	DDR4-3200+700%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	128 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: false (Pentium 4 2.40) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	Pentium 4 2.40	Ryzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	false	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium 4 2.40 was priced at $193, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($193 vs $549), Pentium 4 2.40 was $356 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium 4 2.40 delivers 1.7 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 190.7% better value option.

Feature	Pentium 4 2.40	Ryzen 9 5900X
MSRP	$193-65%	$549
Performance per Dollar	1.7	71.0+4076%
Release Date	2004	2020

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