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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $230 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $429 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 7900 across 9 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,077 vs 24,600).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 9 7900 moves to AM5 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 7900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 9 7900

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +47.4% higher average FPS across 9 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Graphics (Raphael), while Ryzen 5 5600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
115.6% HIGHER MSRP
$429 MSRPvs$199 MSRP

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Ryzen 9 7900

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $230 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $429 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +47.4% higher average FPS across 9 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Graphics (Raphael), while Ryzen 5 5600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 7900 across 9 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,077 vs 24,600).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 9 7900 moves to AM5 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 7900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
115.6% HIGHER MSRP
$429 MSRPvs$199 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 7900 better than Ryzen 5 5600?

Yes. Ryzen 9 7900 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 47.4% average FPS lead across 9 shared CPU game tests in our data, 122.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 123.5% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 7900 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 47.4% more average FPS across 9 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 7900 is the better fit. You are getting 122.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 7900 is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 9 7900 is 115.6% more expensive on MSRP at $429 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it gives you a 47.4% average FPS lead across 9 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 3.7% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 108.3 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 5600 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Ryzen 9 7900 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2022), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 6/12. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Ryzen 5 5600 Benchmark Check

Ryzen 9 7900 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen 9 7900
1080p
low	161 FPS	288 FPS
medium	130 FPS	259 FPS
high	112 FPS	218 FPS
ultra	93 FPS	190 FPS
1440p
low	141 FPS	270 FPS
medium	113 FPS	218 FPS
high	95 FPS	170 FPS
ultra	78 FPS	152 FPS
4K
low	79 FPS	187 FPS
medium	69 FPS	151 FPS
high	55 FPS	113 FPS
ultra	44 FPS	101 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 5600 Open Ryzen 9 7900

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen 9 7900
1080p
low	508 FPS	706 FPS
medium	419 FPS	599 FPS
high	351 FPS	450 FPS
ultra	310 FPS	389 FPS
1440p
low	447 FPS	593 FPS
medium	375 FPS	522 FPS
high	323 FPS	406 FPS
ultra	277 FPS	322 FPS
4K
low	313 FPS	335 FPS
medium	268 FPS	298 FPS
high	243 FPS	264 FPS
ultra	209 FPS	226 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 5600 Open Ryzen 9 7900

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen 9 7900
1080p
low	539 FPS	876 FPS
medium	526 FPS	699 FPS
high	483 FPS	608 FPS
ultra	414 FPS	518 FPS
1440p
low	539 FPS	702 FPS
medium	434 FPS	562 FPS
high	396 FPS	481 FPS
ultra	339 FPS	408 FPS
4K
low	371 FPS	499 FPS
medium	298 FPS	414 FPS
high	255 FPS	372 FPS
ultra	197 FPS	312 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 5600 Open Ryzen 9 7900

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen 9 7900
1080p
low	539 FPS	1125 FPS
medium	539 FPS	987 FPS
high	539 FPS	860 FPS
ultra	539 FPS	765 FPS
1440p
low	539 FPS	892 FPS
medium	539 FPS	774 FPS
high	539 FPS	677 FPS
ultra	493 FPS	580 FPS
4K
low	501 FPS	644 FPS
medium	448 FPS	570 FPS
high	398 FPS	503 FPS
ultra	349 FPS	434 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 5600 Open Ryzen 9 7900

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 5600 and Ryzen 9 7900

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.

Ryzen 9 7900

The Ryzen 9 7900 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 48,168 points. Launch price was $429.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 9 7900 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 7900 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen 9 7900 — a 20.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 7900 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 7900 uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600 scores 21,550 against the Ryzen 9 7900's 48,168 — a 76.4% lead for the Ryzen 9 7900. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 11,077 vs 24,600 (75.8% advantage for the Ryzen 9 7900). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,052 vs 2,800, a 30.8% lead for the Ryzen 9 7900 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,600 vs 18,000 (70.7% advantage for the Ryzen 9 7900). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600 vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 7900.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen 9 7900
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5.4 GHz+23%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	3.7 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	1 MB (per core)+100%
Process	7 nm	5 nm-29%
Architecture	Vermeer (2020−2025)	Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
PassMark	21,550	48,168+124%
Cinebench R23 Multi	11,077	24,600+122%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,052	2,800+36%
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,600	18,000+109%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 9 7900 uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 9 7900 — the Ryzen 9 7900 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) vs 28 (Ryzen 9 7900) — the Ryzen 9 7900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600) and AMD X670E,AMD X670,AMD B650E,AMD B650,AMD A620 (Ryzen 9 7900).

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen 9 7900
Socket	AM4	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR5-5200+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	28+17%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen 9 7900 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600) vs true (Ryzen 9 7900). The Ryzen 9 7900 includes integrated graphics (Radeon Graphics (Raphael)), while the Ryzen 5 5600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 7900 rivals Core i9-13900.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen 9 7900
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Radeon Graphics (Raphael)
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V	true
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 5 5600 launched at $199 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 7900 debuted at $429. On MSRP ($199 vs $429), the Ryzen 5 5600 is $230 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600 delivers 108.3 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 7900 — making the Ryzen 9 7900 the 3.6% better value option.