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 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +284.1% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+3100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Delivers 58.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 44.8 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
266% HIGHER MSRP
$549 MSRPvs$150 MSRP
❌600% higher power demand at 105W vs 15W.

Ryzen Embedded V1605B

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $399 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 105W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,724 vs 38,955).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 44.8 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Ryzen Embedded V1605B

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +284.1% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+3100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Delivers 58.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 44.8 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Costs $399 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 105W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌
266% HIGHER MSRP
$549 MSRPvs$150 MSRP
❌600% higher power demand at 105W vs 15W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,724 vs 38,955).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 44.8 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Ryzen Embedded V1605B?

Yes. Ryzen 9 5900X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 284.1% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 479.3% better 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 5900X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 284.1% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 5900X is the better fit. You are getting 479.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 3100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 5900X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 9 5900X is 266.0% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and it gives you a 284.1% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 58.3% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 44.8 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Ryzen 9 5900X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018), 3100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

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 9 5900X Benchmark Check

Ryzen Embedded V1605B Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen 9 5900X	Ryzen Embedded V1605B
1080p
low	323 FPS	168 FPS
medium	291 FPS	149 FPS
high	243 FPS	120 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	307 FPS	142 FPS
medium	248 FPS	121 FPS
high	192 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	157 FPS	76 FPS
4K
low	193 FPS	67 FPS
medium	156 FPS	61 FPS
high	115 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	103 FPS	37 FPS

Open Ryzen 9 5900X Open Ryzen Embedded V1605B

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen 9 5900X	Ryzen Embedded V1605B
1080p
low	772 FPS	104 FPS
medium	647 FPS	91 FPS
high	508 FPS	86 FPS
ultra	450 FPS	68 FPS
1440p
low	619 FPS	88 FPS
medium	536 FPS	77 FPS
high	443 FPS	73 FPS
ultra	364 FPS	60 FPS
4K
low	365 FPS	66 FPS
medium	318 FPS	59 FPS
high	289 FPS	47 FPS
ultra	255 FPS	34 FPS

Open Ryzen 9 5900X Open Ryzen Embedded V1605B

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen 9 5900X	Ryzen Embedded V1605B
1080p
low	832 FPS	168 FPS
medium	645 FPS	168 FPS
high	558 FPS	168 FPS
ultra	459 FPS	168 FPS
1440p
low	721 FPS	168 FPS
medium	565 FPS	168 FPS
high	488 FPS	168 FPS
ultra	407 FPS	168 FPS
4K
low	511 FPS	168 FPS
medium	421 FPS	168 FPS
high	374 FPS	168 FPS
ultra	308 FPS	168 FPS

Open Ryzen 9 5900X Open Ryzen Embedded V1605B

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen 9 5900X	Ryzen Embedded V1605B
1080p
low	974 FPS	168 FPS
medium	974 FPS	168 FPS
high	934 FPS	168 FPS
ultra	826 FPS	168 FPS
1440p
low	959 FPS	168 FPS
medium	843 FPS	168 FPS
high	726 FPS	168 FPS
ultra	617 FPS	168 FPS
4K
low	694 FPS	168 FPS
medium	621 FPS	168 FPS
high	541 FPS	168 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	168 FPS

Open Ryzen 9 5900X Open Ryzen Embedded V1605B

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 9 5900X and Ryzen Embedded V1605B

Ryzen 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.

Ryzen Embedded V1605B

The Ryzen Embedded V1605B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 6,724 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 9 5900X packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen Embedded V1605B offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X versus 3.6 GHz on the Ryzen Embedded V1605B — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Ryzen 9 5900X uses the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Ryzen Embedded V1605B uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 5900X scores 38,955 against the Ryzen Embedded V1605B's 6,724 — a 141.1% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X vs 2 MB (total) on the Ryzen Embedded V1605B.

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	Ryzen Embedded V1605B
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+200%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+33%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+85%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB+3100%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)	Zen (2017−2020)
PassMark	38,955+479%	6,724
Cinebench R23 Multi	21,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,174	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,888	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 9 5900X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen Embedded V1605B uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	Ryzen Embedded V1605B
Socket	AM4	FP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
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 9 5900X) / not specified (Ryzen Embedded V1605B). Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	Ryzen Embedded V1605B
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Workstation	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 9 5900X launched at $549 MSRP, while the Ryzen Embedded V1605B debuted at $150. On MSRP ($549 vs $150), the Ryzen Embedded V1605B is $399 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 9 5900X delivers 71.0 pts/$ vs 44.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen Embedded V1605B — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 45.1% better value option.