Ryzen 5 5500 vs Core i9-10900E
Ryzen 5 5500
Core i9-10900E
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5500
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-10900E
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 5500 | Core i9-10900E |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($85) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($450) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Cezanne (2021−2025) / 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 5500 | Core i9-10900E |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+429%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($85) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($450) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 5500 and Core i9-10900E
Ryzen 5 5500
The Ryzen 5 5500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,311 points. Launch price was $159.
Core i9-10900E
The Core i9-10900E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,332 points. Launch price was $488.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 5 5500 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-10900E offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-10900E has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500 versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i9-10900E — a 11.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900E (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5500 uses the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Core i9-10900E uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5500 scores 19,311 against the Core i9-10900E's 19,332 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i9-10900E. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Ryzen 5 5500 vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900E.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5500 | Core i9-10900E |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 10 / 20+67% |
| Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz | 4.7 GHz+12% |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+29% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB | 20 MB (total)+25% |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core)+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Cezanne (2021−2025) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 19,311 | 19,332 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 5500 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-10900E uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 5500) vs 16 (Core i9-10900E) — the Ryzen 5 5500 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series (Ryzen 5 5500) and LGA1200 (Core i9-10900E).
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5500 | Core i9-10900E |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200 | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 24+50% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 5500 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5500) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10900E). The Core i9-10900E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 5500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5500 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5500 | Core i9-10900E |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen 5 5500 launched at $159 MSRP, while the Core i9-10900E debuted at $488. At current prices ($85 vs $450), the Ryzen 5 5500 is $365 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5500 delivers 227.2 pts/$ vs 43.0 pts/$ for the Core i9-10900E — making the Ryzen 5 5500 the 136.4% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5500 | Core i9-10900E |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $159-67% | $488 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $85-81% | $450 |
| Performance per Dollar | 227.2+428% | 43.0 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2020 |
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