AMD Ryzen 5 5500 vs AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
43.4Single-core37.6
38.6Multi-core54.2
42.4Gaming78.3
4 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 550012 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 55.3 to 41, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+36) and Multi-core (+16). AMD Ryzen 5 5500 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 5500
- Stronger Single-core score: 43 vs 38
- 38% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 105 W
- 14% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,750 vs 1,540
- Lower launch price: $159 vs $499
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Stronger Multi-core score: 54 vs 39
- Stronger gaming score: 78 vs 42
- 300% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 16 MB
- 100% higher cores: 12 vs 6
- 100% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 6
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2019 |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| Process | 7 nm | 7 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W+38% | 105 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | 142 W+61% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 12+100% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 12+100% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12 | 24+100% |
| Base clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.8 GHz+6% |
| Boost clock | 4.2 GHz | 4.6 GHz+10% |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 6 MB+100% |
| L3 cache | 16 MB | 64 MB+300% |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-3200 | DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 4+33% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 24 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,750+14%Top 49% | 1,540Top 63% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 7,900Top 53% | 11,000+39%Top 35% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,390+7%Top 50% | 1,300Top 59% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 10,100Top 58% | 18,300+81%Top 24% |
| PassMark | 19,000Top 52% | 32,600+72%Top 26% |
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