AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
23.2Single-core85.6
31.6Multi-core62.4
40.5Gamingspec-based67.2
1 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 260017 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X wins this desktop processor face-off, 70.6 to 31.3, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+62) and multi-core (+31). AMD Ryzen 5 2600 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $199 vs $359
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Stronger single-core score: 86 vs 23
- Stronger multi-core score: 62 vs 32
- 211% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 16,500 vs 5,300
- 200% higher Max memory: 192 GB vs 64 GB
- 187% higher PassMark: 38,500 vs 13,400
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018 | 2024 |
| Socket | AM4 | AM5 |
| Process | 12 nm | 4 nm+67% |
| Base TDP | 65 W | 65 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | 88 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12 | 16+33% |
| Base clock | 3.4 GHz | 3.8 GHz+12% |
| Boost clock | 3.9 GHz | 5.5 GHz+41% |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 8 MB+167% |
| L3 cache | 16 MB | 32 MB+100% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2933 | DDR5-5600 |
| Max memory | 64 GB | 192 GB+200% |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 5+67% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 28+17% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,140Bottom 10% | 3,150+176%Top 12% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 5,300Bottom 25% | 16,500+211%Top 26% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 980Bottom 9% | 2,150+119%Top 17% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 7,400Bottom 24% | 19,500+164%Top 29% |
| PassMark | 13,400Bottom 22% | 38,500+187%Top 28% |
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