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 7 5700X

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $200 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 36.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 65.2 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 3900X across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (9,715 vs 12,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 64 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 9 3900X.

Ryzen 9 3900X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.7% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Prism), unlike Ryzen 7 5700X.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 65.2 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 5700X

2022

Ryzen 9 3900X

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $200 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 36.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 65.2 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.7% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Prism), unlike Ryzen 7 5700X.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 3900X across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (9,715 vs 12,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 64 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 9 3900X.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 65.2 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 3900X better than Ryzen 7 5700X?

Yes. Ryzen 9 3900X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 14.7% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data, 23.5% better Geekbench multi-core, and 22.2% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 3900X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 14.7% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 3900X is the better fit. You are getting 23.5% better Geekbench 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 3900X is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 5700X makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen 9 3900X is 66.9% more expensive on MSRP at $499 MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it gives you a 14.7% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 7 5700X is also 36.6% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 65.2 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

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

Ryzen 7 5700X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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 7 5700X Benchmark Check

Ryzen 9 3900X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen 7 5700X	Ryzen 9 3900X
1080p
low	156 FPS	209 FPS
medium	129 FPS	170 FPS
high	115 FPS	140 FPS
ultra	94 FPS	114 FPS
1440p
low	137 FPS	171 FPS
medium	111 FPS	131 FPS
high	95 FPS	104 FPS
ultra	78 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	77 FPS	92 FPS
medium	67 FPS	77 FPS
high	55 FPS	61 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	49 FPS

Open Ryzen 7 5700X Open Ryzen 9 3900X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen 7 5700X	Ryzen 9 3900X
1080p
low	649 FPS	781 FPS
medium	549 FPS	654 FPS
high	448 FPS	510 FPS
ultra	404 FPS	447 FPS
1440p
low	552 FPS	648 FPS
medium	484 FPS	552 FPS
high	407 FPS	452 FPS
ultra	350 FPS	369 FPS
4K
low	343 FPS	380 FPS
medium	303 FPS	326 FPS
high	277 FPS	293 FPS
ultra	245 FPS	258 FPS

Open Ryzen 7 5700X Open Ryzen 9 3900X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen 7 5700X	Ryzen 9 3900X
1080p
low	665 FPS	813 FPS
medium	557 FPS	794 FPS
high	509 FPS	730 FPS
ultra	439 FPS	647 FPS
1440p
low	554 FPS	707 FPS
medium	458 FPS	583 FPS
high	419 FPS	522 FPS
ultra	358 FPS	459 FPS
4K
low	402 FPS	503 FPS
medium	322 FPS	403 FPS
high	292 FPS	361 FPS
ultra	229 FPS	292 FPS

Open Ryzen 7 5700X Open Ryzen 9 3900X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen 7 5700X	Ryzen 9 3900X
1080p
low	665 FPS	813 FPS
medium	665 FPS	813 FPS
high	665 FPS	813 FPS
ultra	665 FPS	813 FPS
1440p
low	665 FPS	813 FPS
medium	665 FPS	813 FPS
high	607 FPS	714 FPS
ultra	533 FPS	619 FPS
4K
low	545 FPS	669 FPS
medium	488 FPS	594 FPS
high	439 FPS	525 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	437 FPS

Open Ryzen 7 5700X Open Ryzen 9 3900X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 7 5700X and Ryzen 9 3900X

Ryzen 7 5700X

The Ryzen 7 5700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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: 26,609 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 9 3900X

The Ryzen 9 3900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 32,517 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 5700X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 9 3900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 3900X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 9 3900X — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Ryzen 7 5700X uses the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 3900X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 5700X scores 26,609 against the Ryzen 9 3900X's 32,517 — a 20% lead for the Ryzen 9 3900X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,116 vs 1,300, a 47.8% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,715 vs 12,000 (21% advantage for the Ryzen 9 3900X). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5700X vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 3900X.

Feature	Ryzen 7 5700X	Ryzen 9 3900X
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	12 / 24+50%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)	64 MB+100%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	26,609	32,517+22%
Cinebench R23 Multi	14,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,116+63%	1,300
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,715	12,000+24%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 24 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 7 5700X) and X570,B550 (Ryzen 9 3900X).

Feature	Ryzen 7 5700X	Ryzen 9 3900X
Socket	AM4	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 5700X targets Gaming, Ryzen 9 3900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 5700X rivals Core i7-11700K.

Feature	Ryzen 7 5700X	Ryzen 9 3900X
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 7 5700X launched at $299 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 3900X debuted at $499. On MSRP ($299 vs $499), the Ryzen 7 5700X is $200 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 7 5700X delivers 89.0 pts/$ vs 65.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 3900X — making the Ryzen 7 5700X the 30.9% better value option.