AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
23.2Single-core93
31.6Multi-core99
40.5Gaming85.2
2 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 260018 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 93.7 to 31.3, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+70) and Multi-core (+67). 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
- 62% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 170 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $199 vs $649
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
- Stronger Single-core score: 93 vs 23
- Stronger Multi-core score: 99 vs 32
- Stronger gaming score: 85 vs 41
- 468% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 42,000 vs 7,400
- 433% higher L2 cache: 16 MB vs 3 MB
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018 | 2024 |
| Socket | AM4 | AM5 |
| Process | 12 nm | 4 nm+67% |
| Base TDP | 65 W+62% | 170 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | 230 W+161% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 16+167% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 16+167% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12 | 32+167% |
| Base clock | 3.4 GHz | 4.3 GHz+26% |
| Boost clock | 3.9 GHz | 5.7 GHz+46% |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 16 MB+433% |
| L3 cache | 16 MB | 64 MB+300% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|---|
| 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 9950X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 5+67% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 28+17% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,140Top 90% | 3,400+198%Top 2% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 5,300Top 72% | 23,000+334%Top 2% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 980Top 88% | 2,280+133%Top 3% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 7,400Top 72% | 42,000+468%Top 2% |
| PassMark | 13,400Top 69% | 66,500+396%Top 2% |
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 9950Xvs Intel Core i9-14900KSVSAMD Ryzen 9 9950Xvs AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual EditionVSAMD Ryzen 9 9950Xvs Intel Core i9-14900KVSAMD Ryzen 9 9950Xvs AMD Ryzen 9 7950XVS