Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs Ryzen 9 5900X
Ryzen Threadripper 2920X
Ryzen 9 5900X
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 Threadripper 2920X
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 5900X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($452) | ✅ More affordable ($350) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (ZEN+ (2018−2019) / 12 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+100%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($452) | ✅ More affordable ($350) |
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 Threadripper 2920X and Ryzen 9 5900X
Ryzen Threadripper 2920X
The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 3 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the ZEN+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: SP3r2. Thermal design power (TDP): 180 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 25,148 points. Launch price was $649.
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.
Processing Power
Both the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X and Ryzen 9 5900X share an identical 12-core/24-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 11% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses the ZEN+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X scores 25,148 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 43.1% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24 | 12 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz | 4.8 GHz+12% |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.7 GHz+6% |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB | 64 MB+100% |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 12 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-42% |
| Architecture | ZEN+ (2018−2019) | Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) |
| PassMark | 25,148 | 38,955+55% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 21,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,174 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 11,888 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X uses the SP3r2 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | SP3r2 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 24 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen Threadripper 2920X) / AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen Threadripper 2920X launched at $649 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 5900X debuted at $549. At current prices ($452 vs $350), the Ryzen 9 5900X is $102 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen Threadripper 2920X delivers 55.6 pts/$ vs 111.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 66.7% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen Threadripper 2920X | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $649 | $549-15% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $452 | $350-23% |
| Performance per Dollar | 55.6 | 111.3+100% |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2020 |
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