Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon W-1390

Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon W-1390 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 9 5900X

12 / 24

38,955

+63.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Xeon W-1390

8 / 16

23,902

0.0%

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 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 9 5900X 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 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +41.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Delivers 46.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 48.4 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
11.1% HIGHER MSRP
$549 MSRPvs$494 MSRP
❌31.3% higher power demand at 105W vs 80W.

Xeon W-1390

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $55 less on MSRP ($494 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Draws 80W instead of 105W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (23,902 vs 38,955).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.4 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($494 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X 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 9 5900X is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 5900X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 41.5% more average FPS across 50 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 stronger fit. You are getting 63% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 5900X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 9 5900X comes in 11.1% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $494 MSRP, and it still gives you a 41.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 46.7% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 48.4 PassMark/$), 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). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon W-1390 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 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 9 5900X packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon W-1390 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X versus 5.1 GHz on the Xeon W-1390 — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1390 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Ryzen 9 5900X uses the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon W-1390 uses Rocket Lake-S (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 5900X scores 38,955 against the Xeon W-1390's 23,902 — a 47.9% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X vs 16 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1390.

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	Xeon W-1390
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5.1 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+32%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB+300%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512 kB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)	Rocket Lake-S (2021)
PassMark	38,955+63%	23,902
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 Xeon W-1390 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	Xeon 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 9 5900X) / not specified (Xeon W-1390). Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	Xeon W-1390
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Workstation	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 9 5900X was priced at $549, while the Xeon W-1390 came in at $494. On launch pricing ($549 vs $494), Xeon W-1390 was $55 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 9 5900X delivers 71.0 pts/$ vs 48.4 pts/$ for the Xeon W-1390 — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 37.8% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	Xeon W-1390
MSRP	$549	$494-10%
Performance per Dollar	71.0+47%	48.4
Release Date	2020	2021

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