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Ryzen 5 5600 vs Ryzen 9 7900

CPUCPUGPUGPU
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Ryzen family
·······
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 9 7900

12 Cores24 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2023
Buy on Amazon

Ryzen 5 5600 vs Ryzen 9 7900 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 5600
6 / 12
21,550
0.0%
brand logoRyzen 3 8440U
brand logoRyzen 5 4600HS
brand logoRyzen 7 PRO 5875U
brand logoRyzen 7 7445HS
brand logoRyzen 9 5900X
brand logoRyzen 9 9955HX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 9960X
Ryzen 9 7900
12 / 24
48,168
+123.5%
brand logoRyzen 7 PRO 8840HS
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 2990WX
brand logoRyzen 7 9700X
brand logoRyzen 7 8840HX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 3990X
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 5600 vs Ryzen 9 7900 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 5600
low161 FPS
medium130 FPS
high112 FPS
ultra93 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 7900
low288 FPS
medium259 FPS
high218 FPS
ultra190 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low508 FPS
medium419 FPS
high351 FPS
ultra310 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 7900
low706 FPS
medium599 FPS
high450 FPS
ultra389 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low539 FPS
medium526 FPS
high483 FPS
ultra414 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 7900
low876 FPS
medium699 FPS
high608 FPS
ultra518 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low539 FPS
medium539 FPS
high539 FPS
ultra539 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 7900
low1125 FPS
medium987 FPS
high860 FPS
ultra765 FPS
Among Us

Among Us

1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 7900
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
Apex Legends

Apex Legends

1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low300 FPS
medium279 FPS
high255 FPS
ultra230 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 7900
low300 FPS
medium300 FPS
high300 FPS
ultra300 FPS
ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders

1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low267 FPS
medium205 FPS
high173 FPS
ultra150 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 7900
low311 FPS
medium242 FPS
high221 FPS
ultra197 FPS
Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3

1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low163 FPS
medium143 FPS
high118 FPS
ultra98 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 7900
low282 FPS
medium248 FPS
high195 FPS
ultra162 FPS
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low351 FPS
medium299 FPS
high259 FPS
ultra220 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 7900
low383 FPS
medium341 FPS
high295 FPS
ultra253 FPS
Call of Duty: Warzone

Call of Duty: Warzone

1080P
Ryzen 5 5600
low236 FPS
medium216 FPS
high181 FPS
ultra170 FPS
1080P
Ryzen 9 7900
low265 FPS
medium248 FPS
high210 FPS
ultra197 FPS
Check FPS with Custom Builds

Ryzen 5 5600 vs Ryzen 9 7900: 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 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 50 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: +32.3% higher average FPS across 50 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

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 7900 better than Ryzen 5 5600?
Yes. Ryzen 9 7900 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 32.3% average FPS lead across 50 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 is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 7900 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 32.3% 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 7900 is the stronger fit. You are getting 122.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has 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 better buy right now. Ryzen 9 7900 comes in 115.6% more expensive on MSRP at $429 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 32.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 3.7% better value on MSRP (112.3 vs 108.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit 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 makes more sense long term 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 gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen 5 5600 vs Ryzen 9 7900 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

AMD

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.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600Ryzen 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)+51100%
1 MB (per core)
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 62.5% 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).

FeatureRyzen 5 5600Ryzen 9 7900
Socket
AM4
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
DDR5-5200+63%
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.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600Ryzen 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

At launch, the Ryzen 5 5600 was priced at $199, while the Ryzen 9 7900 came in at $429. On launch pricing ($199 vs $429), Ryzen 5 5600 was $230 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600 delivers 108.3 pts/$ vs 112.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 7900 — making the Ryzen 9 7900 the 3.6% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600Ryzen 9 7900
MSRP
$199-54%
$429
Performance per Dollar
108.3
112.3+4%
Release Date
2022
2023
Search Ryzen 5 5600 on AmazonSearch Ryzen 9 7900 on Amazon

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