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Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 9 5900X

CPUCPUGPUGPU
AMD

Ryzen 5 1500X

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017
Ryzen family
·······
Buy on Amazon
VS
AMD

Ryzen 9 5900X

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020
Ryzen family
·······
Buy on Amazon

Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 9 5900X Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 1500X
4 / 8
9,074
0.0%
brand logoRyzen Embedded V2A46
brand logoRyzen 3 PRO 2200GE
brand logoRyzen 7 3700U
brand logoRyzen Embedded V1807B
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 1950X
brand logoRyzen 9 PRO 7945
brand logoRyzen 9 9950X
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX
Ryzen 9 5900X
12 / 24
38,955
+329.3%
brand logoRyzen 7 PRO 250
brand logoRyzen 5 7645HX
brand logoRyzen 9 8945H
brand logoRyzen AI 9 HX 375
brand logoRyzen 9 7945HX
brand logoRyzen 9 9950X3D
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 9960X
brand logoRyzen 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.

Ryzen 5 1500X 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

Path of Exile 2

1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low182 FPS
medium156 FPS
high127 FPS
ultra99 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 5900X
low323 FPS
medium291 FPS
high243 FPS
ultra193 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low225 FPS
medium194 FPS
high178 FPS
ultra138 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 5900X
low772 FPS
medium647 FPS
high508 FPS
ultra450 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low227 FPS
medium227 FPS
high227 FPS
ultra227 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 5900X
low832 FPS
medium645 FPS
high558 FPS
ultra459 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low227 FPS
medium227 FPS
high227 FPS
ultra227 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 5900X
low974 FPS
medium974 FPS
high934 FPS
ultra826 FPS
Among Us

Among Us

1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 5900X
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
Apex Legends

Apex Legends

1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low227 FPS
medium227 FPS
high227 FPS
ultra215 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 5900X
low300 FPS
medium300 FPS
high300 FPS
ultra300 FPS
ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders

1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low227 FPS
medium193 FPS
high164 FPS
ultra143 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 5900X
low309 FPS
medium238 FPS
high217 FPS
ultra194 FPS
Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3

1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low192 FPS
medium168 FPS
high135 FPS
ultra107 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 5900X
low336 FPS
medium297 FPS
high235 FPS
ultra196 FPS
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low227 FPS
medium227 FPS
high210 FPS
ultra179 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 5900X
low355 FPS
medium306 FPS
high265 FPS
ultra225 FPS
Call of Duty: Warzone

Call of Duty: Warzone

1080P
Ryzen 5 1500X
low202 FPS
medium175 FPS
high144 FPS
ultra131 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 5900X
low259 FPS
medium237 FPS
high200 FPS
ultra188 FPS
Check FPS with Custom Builds

Ryzen 5 1500X 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.

Ryzen 5 1500X

2017

Why buy it

  • ✅Costs $360 less on MSRP ($189 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
  • ✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
  • ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), 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 (4,641 vs 21,000).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 64 MB).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.0 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($189 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

  • ✅Better for gaming: +86.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ✅+300% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 16 MB).
  • ✅Delivers 47.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 48.0 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $189 MSRP).
  • ✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌
    190.5% HIGHER MSRP
    $549 MSRPvs$189 MSRP
  • ❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 1500X.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Ryzen 5 1500X?
Yes. Ryzen 9 5900X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 86.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 352.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 329.3% higher 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 86.6% 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 352.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 16 MB).
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 190.5% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $189 MSRP, and it still gives you a 86.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 47.8% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 48.0 PassMark/$), 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 2017), 300% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 16 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 9 5900X Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 1500X

The Ryzen 5 1500X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,074 points. Launch price was $189.

AMD

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 Ryzen 5 1500X packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 5 1500X versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 25.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Ryzen 5 1500X uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 1500X scores 9,074 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 124.4% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 4,641 vs 21,000 (127.6% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,120 vs 2,174, a 64% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 3,700 vs 11,888 (105.1% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X). L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 1500X vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
12 / 24+200%
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
4.8 GHz+30%
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
3.7 GHz+6%
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
64 MB+300%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture
Zen (2017−2020)
Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
9,074
38,955+329%
Cinebench R23 Multi
4,641
21,000+352%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,120
2,174+94%
Geekbench 6 Multi
3,700
11,888+221%
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Ryzen 5 1500X versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900X — the Ryzen 9 5900X supports 20% 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 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Ryzen 5 1500X) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370,B450,X470 (Ryzen 5 1500X) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 9 5900X
Socket
AM4
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
128 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 1500X targets Gaming, Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 1500X rivals Core i5-7500; Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 1500X was priced at $189, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($189 vs $549), Ryzen 5 1500X was $360 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 1500X delivers 48.0 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 38.6% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 9 5900X
MSRP
$189-66%
$549
Performance per Dollar
48.0
71.0+48%
Release Date
2017
2020
Search Ryzen 5 1500X on AmazonSearch Ryzen 9 5900X on Amazon

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