How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X scores 49.8/100 overall; Intel Core i9-9900K scores 42.5/100. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X wins 13 individual spec rows, Intel Core i9-9900K wins 6.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X and the Intel Core i9-9900K?

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 52 vs 40; Stronger gaming score: 62 vs 47; 100% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 16 MB; 50% lower process: 7 nm vs 14 nm; 50% higher L2 cache: 3 MB vs 2 MB; Lower launch price: $299 vs $488. Intel Core i9-9900K advantages: 35% higher Max turbo power: 119 W vs 88 W; 33% higher cores: 8 vs 6; 33% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 6; 33% higher threads: 16 vs 12; 11% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 12,400 vs 11,200.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X or Intel Core i9-9900K?

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X launched cheaper at $299, versus $488 for the Intel Core i9-9900K.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Intel Core i9-9900K

WINNER

AMD

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

$299

Intel

Intel Core i9-9900K

$488

52Single-core40.4

41.8Multi-core41.2

61.6Gaming47.4

13 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 5600X6 spec wins — Intel Core i9-9900K

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X wins this desktop processor face-off, 49.8 to 42.5, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+14) and Single-core (+12). Intel Core i9-9900K 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 5600X

Stronger Single-core score: 52 vs 40
Stronger gaming score: 62 vs 47
100% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 16 MB
50% lower process: 7 nm vs 14 nm
50% higher L2 cache: 3 MB vs 2 MB
Lower launch price: $299 vs $488

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-9900K

35% higher Max turbo power: 119 W vs 88 W
33% higher cores: 8 vs 6
33% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 6
33% higher threads: 16 vs 12
11% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 12,400 vs 11,200

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 5600X	Intel Core i9-9900K
Announced	2020	2018
Socket	AM4	LGA1151-v2
Process	7 nm+50%	14 nm
Base TDP	65 W+32%	95 W
Max turbo power	88 W	119 W+35%
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 5600X	Intel Core i9-9900K
Cores	6	8+33%
Performance cores	6	8+33%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	12	16+33%
Base clock	3.7 GHz+3%	3.6 GHz
Boost clock	4.6 GHz	5 GHz+9%
L2 cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB
L3 cache	32 MB+100%	16 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 5600X	Intel Core i9-9900K
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	—	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 5600X	Intel Core i9-9900K
Memory support	DDR4-3200	DDR4-2666
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 5600X	Intel Core i9-9900K
PCIe version	4+33%	3
CPU PCIe lanes	24+50%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 5600X	Intel Core i9-9900K
Geekbench 6 (single)	2,020+17%Top 39%	1,720Top 51%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	9,100+3%Top 45%	8,800Top 46%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,560+22%Top 41%	1,280Top 62%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	11,200Top 49%	12,400+11%Top 45%
PassMark	21,900+18%Top 44%	18,600Top 53%

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