AMD Ryzen 5 3600X vs AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
36.5Single-core90.1
37.4Multi-core83.6
60.3Gaming84.6
2 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 3600X18 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 85.8 to 42.8, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+54) and Multi-core (+46). AMD Ryzen 5 3600X 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 3600X
- 21% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 120 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $249 vs $499
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Stronger Single-core score: 90 vs 37
- Stronger Multi-core score: 84 vs 37
- Stronger gaming score: 85 vs 60
- 300% higher L2 cache: 12 MB vs 3 MB
- 230% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 32,000 vs 9,700
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019 | 2024 |
| Socket | AM4 | AM5 |
| Process | 7 nm | 4 nm+43% |
| Base TDP | 95 W+21% | 120 W |
| Max turbo power | 128 W | 162 W+27% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 12+100% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 12+100% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12 | 24+100% |
| Base clock | 3.8 GHz | 4.4 GHz+16% |
| Boost clock | 4.4 GHz | 5.6 GHz+27% |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 12 MB+300% |
| L3 cache | 32 MB | 64 MB+100% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-3200 | DDR5-5600 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 192 GB+50% |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 4 | 5+25% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 28+17% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,490Top 68% | 3,300+121%Top 3% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 7,200Top 55% | 19,800+175%Top 8% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,290Top 61% | 2,230+73%Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 9,700Top 59% | 32,000+230%Top 10% |
| PassMark | 18,400Top 55% | 55,500+202%Top 8% |
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