Ryzen 5 5600X vs Xeon W-1390

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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VS
Intel

Xeon W-1390

8 Cores16 Thrd80 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2021
Similar parts
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Ryzen 5 5600X vs Xeon W-1390 Performance Spectrum

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 5600X vs Xeon W-1390 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.

Ryzen 5 5600X vs Xeon W-1390: 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 5600X

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Costs $195 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
  • Delivers 51.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 48.4 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (21,845 vs 23,902).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-1390, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon W-1390

2021

Why buy it

  • +9.4% higher PassMark.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.4 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($494 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
  • 23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Xeon W-1390?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-1390 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 5600X is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-1390 is the stronger fit. You are getting 9.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 5600X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600X comes in $195 cheaper on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $494 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon W-1390 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 9.4% better PassMark. It is also 51.0% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 48.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon W-1390 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 5 5600X vs Xeon W-1390 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Xeon W-1390

The Xeon W-1390 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 23,902 points. Launch price was $494.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5600X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon W-1390 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon W-1390 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X versus 5.1 GHz on the Xeon W-1390 — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1390 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600X uses the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon W-1390 uses Rocket Lake-S (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600X scores 21,845 against the Xeon W-1390's 23,902 — a 9% lead for the Xeon W-1390. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X vs 16 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1390.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600XXeon W-1390
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz
5.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock
3.7 GHz+32%
2.8 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB+100%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
512 kB (per core)
Process
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
Rocket Lake-S (2021)
PassMark
21,845
23,902+9%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 5600X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon W-1390 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600XXeon W-1390
Socket
AM4
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X) / not specified (Xeon W-1390). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600XXeon W-1390
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 5600X was priced at $299, while the Xeon W-1390 came in at $494. On launch pricing ($299 vs $494), Ryzen 5 5600X was $195 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600X delivers 73.1 pts/$ vs 48.4 pts/$ for the Xeon W-1390 — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 40.6% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600XXeon W-1390
MSRP
$299-39%
$494
Performance per Dollar
73.1+51%
48.4
Release Date
2020
2021

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