Pentium Dual Core T2390 vs Ryzen 9 5900X

Pentium Dual Core T2390 vs Ryzen 9 5900X Performance Spectrum

Pentium Dual Core T2390

2 / 2

1,771

0.0%

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

38,955

+2099.6%

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 Dual Core T2390 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 Dual Core T2390 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 Dual Core T2390

2008

Why buy it

✅Costs $463 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Draws 1W instead of 105W, a 104W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,771 vs 38,955).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.6 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +595.0% higher average FPS across 34 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 244.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 20.6 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
538.4% HIGHER MSRP
$549 MSRPvs$86 MSRP
❌10400% higher power demand at 105W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Pentium Dual Core T2390?

Yes. Ryzen 9 5900X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 595.0% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2099.6% 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 595.0% more average FPS across 34 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 2099.6% 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 538.4% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 595.0% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 244.6% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 20.6 PassMark/$), 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 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium Dual Core T2390 vs Ryzen 9 5900X Technical Specifications

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

Pentium Dual Core T2390

The Pentium Dual Core T2390 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.86 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,771 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 Dual Core T2390 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T2390 versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 88.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X. The Pentium Dual Core T2390 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Dual Core T2390 scores 1,771 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 182.6% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Ryzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	12 / 24+500%
Boost Clock	1.86 GHz	4.8 GHz+158%
Base Clock	—	3.7 GHz
L3 Cache	—	64 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	65 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-89%
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	1,771	38,955+2100%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	21,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,174
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	11,888

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Dual Core T2390 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Ryzen 9 5900X
Socket	PGA478	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 4.0+264%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium Dual Core T2390) / AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Ryzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium Dual Core T2390 was priced at $86, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($86 vs $549), Pentium Dual Core T2390 was $463 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium Dual Core T2390 delivers 20.6 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 110% better value option.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Ryzen 9 5900X
MSRP	$86-84%	$549
Performance per Dollar	20.6	71.0+245%
Release Date	2008	2020

Search Pentium Dual Core T2390 on Amazon

Search Ryzen 9 5900X on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.