Ryzen 9 5900X
Xeon E5-2679 v4
Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon E5-2679 v4 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 9 5900X vs Xeon E5-2679 v4 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
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon E5-2679 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
Ryzen 9 5900X
2020Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +36.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅+28% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 50 MB).
- ✅Costs $2,153 less on MSRP ($549 MSRP vs $2,702 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 694.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 8.9 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $2,702 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 105W instead of 200W, a 95W reduction.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (11,888 vs 12,000).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2679 v4, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
Xeon E5-2679 v4
2016Why buy it
- ✅+0.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 24.
- ✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (50 MB vs 64 MB).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.9 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($2,702 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
- ❌90.5% higher power demand at 200W vs 105W.
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Xeon E5-2679 v4?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon E5-2679 v4 Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
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.
Xeon E5-2679 v4
The Xeon E5-2679 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 50 MB. L2 cache: 5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 24,131 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 9 5900X packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E5-2679 v4 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon E5-2679 v4 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2679 v4 — a 37% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Ryzen 9 5900X uses the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon E5-2679 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 5900X scores 38,955 against the Xeon E5-2679 v4's 24,131 — a 47% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,174 vs 1,000, a 74% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,888 vs 12,000 (0.9% advantage for the Xeon E5-2679 v4). L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X vs 50 MB on the Xeon E5-2679 v4.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 5900X | Xeon E5-2679 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24 | 20 / 40+67% |
| Boost Clock | 4.8 GHz+45% | 3.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz+48% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 64 MB+28% | 50 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core)+10140% | 5 MB |
| Process | 7 nm, 12 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) | Broadwell (2015−2019) |
| PassMark | 38,955+61% | 24,131 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 21,000 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,174+117% | 1,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 11,888 | 12,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 9 5900X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2679 v4 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900X versus DDR4-2400 on the Xeon E5-2679 v4 — the Ryzen 9 5900X supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2679 v4 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 1100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 9 5900X) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2679 v4). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2679 v4) — the Xeon E5-2679 v4 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X) and C612,X99 (Xeon E5-2679 v4).
| Feature | Ryzen 9 5900X | Xeon E5-2679 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | LGA2011-3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200+33% | DDR4-2400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 1536 GB+1100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | Yes | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | 40+67% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X) vs Yes (Xeon E5-2679 v4). Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 5900X | Xeon E5-2679 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | Yes |
| Target Use | Workstation | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Ryzen 9 5900X was priced at $549, while the Xeon E5-2679 v4 came in at $2702. On launch pricing ($549 vs $2702), Ryzen 9 5900X was $2153 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 9 5900X delivers 71.0 pts/$ vs 8.9 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2679 v4 — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 155.3% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 5900X | Xeon E5-2679 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $549-80% | $2702 |
| Performance per Dollar | 71.0+698% | 8.9 |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2016 |
Affiliate Disclosure
ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Ryzen 9 5900X and Xeon E5-2679 v4
