AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
23.2Single-core90.1
31.6Multi-core83.6
40.5Gaming84.6
2 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 260018 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 85.8 to 31.3, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+67) and Multi-core (+52). 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
- 46% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 120 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $199 vs $499
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Stronger Single-core score: 90 vs 23
- Stronger Multi-core score: 84 vs 32
- Stronger gaming score: 85 vs 41
- 332% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 32,000 vs 7,400
- 314% higher PassMark: 55,500 vs 13,400
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018 | 2024 |
| Socket | AM4 | AM5 |
| Process | 12 nm | 4 nm+67% |
| Base TDP | 65 W+46% | 120 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | 162 W+84% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 12+100% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 12+100% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12 | 24+100% |
| Base clock | 3.4 GHz | 4.4 GHz+29% |
| Boost clock | 3.9 GHz | 5.6 GHz+44% |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 12 MB+300% |
| L3 cache | 16 MB | 64 MB+300% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X |
|---|---|---|
| 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 9 9900X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 5+67% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 28+17% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,140Top 90% | 3,300+189%Top 3% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 5,300Top 72% | 19,800+274%Top 8% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 980Top 88% | 2,230+128%Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 7,400Top 72% | 32,000+332%Top 10% |
| PassMark | 13,400Top 69% | 55,500+314%Top 8% |
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