AMD Ryzen 5 5500 vs AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
43.4Single-core93
38.6Multi-core99
42.4Gaming85.2
2 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 550018 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 93.7 to 41, pulling ahead mainly in Multi-core (+60) and Single-core (+50). 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
- 62% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 170 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $159 vs $649
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
- Stronger Single-core score: 93 vs 43
- Stronger Multi-core score: 99 vs 39
- Stronger gaming score: 85 vs 42
- 433% higher L2 cache: 16 MB vs 3 MB
- 316% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 42,000 vs 10,100
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2024 |
| Socket | AM4 | AM5 |
| Process | 7 nm | 4 nm+43% |
| 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 5500 | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 16+167% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 16+167% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12 | 32+167% |
| Base clock | 3.6 GHz | 4.3 GHz+19% |
| Boost clock | 4.2 GHz | 5.7 GHz+36% |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 16 MB+433% |
| L3 cache | 16 MB | 64 MB+300% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-3200 | DDR5-5600 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 192 GB+50% |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 5+67% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 28+17% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,750Top 49% | 3,400+94%Top 2% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 7,900Top 53% | 23,000+191%Top 2% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,390Top 50% | 2,280+64%Top 3% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 10,100Top 58% | 42,000+316%Top 2% |
| PassMark | 19,000Top 52% | 66,500+250%Top 2% |
Related comparisons
AMD Ryzen 5 5500vs Intel Core i3-12100VSAMD Ryzen 5 5500vs Intel Core i3-12100FVSAMD Ryzen 5 5500vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600VSAMD Ryzen 5 5500vs Intel Core i5-11600KVSAMD 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