Ryzen 9 7900 vs Ryzen 5 5600
Ryzen 9 7900
Ryzen 5 5600
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 9 7900
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 9 7900 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($370) | ✅ More affordable ($115) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) / 5 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (2020−2025) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 9 7900 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+44%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($370) | ✅ More affordable ($115) |
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 9 7900 and Ryzen 5 5600
Ryzen 9 7900
The Ryzen 9 7900 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 48,168 points. Launch price was $429.
Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 9 7900 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 9 7900 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen 9 7900 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 20.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 7900 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 9 7900 uses the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture (5 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 7900 scores 48,168 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 76.4% lead for the Ryzen 9 7900. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 24,600 vs 11,077 (75.8% advantage for the Ryzen 9 7900). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,800 vs 2,052, a 30.8% lead for the Ryzen 9 7900 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 18,000 vs 8,600 (70.7% advantage for the Ryzen 9 7900). L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 7900 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 7900 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24+100% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 5.4 GHz+23% | 4.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz+6% | 3.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 64 MB (total)+100% | 32 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+100% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 5 nm-29% | 7 nm |
| Architecture | Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) | Vermeer (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 48,168+124% | 21,550 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 24,600+122% | 11,077 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,800+36% | 2,052 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 18,000+109% | 8,600 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 9 7900 uses the AM5 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 9 7900 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Ryzen 9 7900 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Ryzen 9 7900) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 9 7900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD X670E,AMD X670,AMD B650E,AMD B650,AMD A620 (Ryzen 9 7900) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).
| Feature | Ryzen 9 7900 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM5 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-5200+25% | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 28+17% | 24 |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen 9 7900 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Ryzen 9 7900) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). The Ryzen 9 7900 includes integrated graphics (Radeon Graphics (Raphael)), while the Ryzen 5 5600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 7900 rivals Core i9-13900.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 7900 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon Graphics (Raphael) | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | true | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen 9 7900 launched at $429 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($370 vs $115), the Ryzen 5 5600 is $255 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 9 7900 delivers 130.2 pts/$ vs 187.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 36% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 7900 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $429 | $199-54% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $370 | $115-69% |
| Performance per Dollar | 130.2 | 187.4+44% |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2022 |
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