AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
23.2Single-core54.4
31.6Multi-core62.1
40.5Gaming79.6
2 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 260017 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 64.1 to 31.3, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+39) and Single-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
- 38% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 105 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $199 vs $549
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- Stronger Single-core score: 54 vs 23
- Stronger Multi-core score: 62 vs 32
- Stronger gaming score: 80 vs 41
- 300% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 16 MB
- 193% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 21,700 vs 7,400
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018 | 2020 |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| Process | 12 nm | 7 nm+42% |
| Base TDP | 65 W+38% | 105 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | 142 W+61% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 12+100% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 12+100% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12 | 24+100% |
| Base clock | 3.4 GHz | 3.7 GHz+9% |
| Boost clock | 3.9 GHz | 4.8 GHz+23% |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 6 MB+100% |
| L3 cache | 16 MB | 64 MB+300% |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2933 | DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 4+33% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 24 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,140Top 90% | 2,100+84%Top 32% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 5,300Top 72% | 13,500+155%Top 24% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 980Top 88% | 1,600+63%Top 39% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 7,400Top 72% | 21,700+193%Top 20% |
| PassMark | 13,400Top 69% | 39,000+191%Top 16% |
Related comparisons
AMD Ryzen 5 2600vs Intel Core i5-8600KVSAMD Ryzen 5 2600vs AMD Ryzen 3 3100VSAMD Ryzen 5 2600vs Intel Core i5-9600KVSAMD Ryzen 5 2600vs Intel Core i7-5960XVSAMD Ryzen 9 5900Xvs AMD Ryzen 7 7700VSAMD Ryzen 9 5900Xvs Intel Core i7-12700KVSAMD Ryzen 9 5900Xvs Intel Core i5-13600KVSAMD Ryzen 9 5900Xvs AMD Ryzen 7 7700XVS