Ryzen 5 5600 vs Core i9-9900X
Ryzen 5 5600
Core i9-9900X
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 5600
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-9900X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 5600 | Core i9-9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($115) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (2020−2025) / 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 5600 | Core i9-9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+160%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($115) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) |
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 5600 and Core i9-9900X
Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). 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: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.
Core i9-9900X
The Core i9-9900X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 21,655 points. Launch price was $989.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 5 5600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-9900X offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-9900X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9900X — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Core i9-9900X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600 scores 21,550 against the Core i9-9900X's 21,655 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i9-9900X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 11,077 vs 13,985 (23.2% advantage for the Core i9-9900X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,052 vs 1,459, a 33.8% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,600 vs 9,475 (9.7% advantage for the Core i9-9900X). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600 vs 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900X.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600 | Core i9-9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 10 / 20+67% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.5 GHz+2% |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB (total)+66% | 19.25 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Vermeer (2020−2025) | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 21,550 | 21,655 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 11,077 | 13,985+26% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,052+41% | 1,459 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 8,600 | 9,475+10% |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-9900X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 5600) vs 4 (Core i9-9900X). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) vs 44 (Core i9-9900X) — the Core i9-9900X offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600) and X299 (Core i9-9900X).
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600 | Core i9-9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | 44+83% |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-9900X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9900X). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600 | Core i9-9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen 5 5600 launched at $199 MSRP, while the Core i9-9900X debuted at $989. At current prices ($115 vs $300), the Ryzen 5 5600 is $185 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600 delivers 187.4 pts/$ vs 72.2 pts/$ for the Core i9-9900X — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 88.8% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600 | Core i9-9900X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199-80% | $989 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $115-62% | $300 |
| Performance per Dollar | 187.4+160% | 72.2 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2018 |
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