Ryzen 5 5600XT vs Core i7-9700K
Ryzen 5 5600XT
Core i7-9700K
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 5600XT
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-9700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 5600XT | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($180) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (2020−2025) / 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 5600XT | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+72%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($180) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) |
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 5600XT and Core i7-9700K
Ryzen 5 5600XT
The Ryzen 5 5600XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 31 October 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,310 points. Launch price was $299.
Core i7-9700K
The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 5 5600XT packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600XT versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 4.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600XT uses the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600XT scores 22,310 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 43.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600XT. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600XT vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600XT | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 8 / 8+33% |
| Boost Clock | 4.7 GHz | 4.9 GHz+4% |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz+3% | 3.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB+167% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core)+100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Vermeer (2020−2025) | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) |
| PassMark | 22,310+55% | 14,397 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 5600XT uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600XT | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 5 5600XT) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 5600XT requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600XT | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen 5 5600XT launched at $192 MSRP, while the Core i7-9700K debuted at $385. At current prices ($180 vs $200), the Ryzen 5 5600XT is $20 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600XT delivers 123.9 pts/$ vs 72.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Ryzen 5 5600XT the 53% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600XT | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $192-50% | $385 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $180-10% | $200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 123.9+72% | 72.0 |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2018 |
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