AMD Ryzen 5 9600X vs Intel Core i7-4790
84.7Single-core27.2
52.5Multi-core25.9
66.6Gamingspec-based24.4
16 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 9600X1 spec wins — Intel Core i7-4790
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X wins this desktop processor face-off, 65.7 to 25.9, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+58) and multi-core (+27). Intel Core i7-4790 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 9600X
- Stronger single-core score: 85 vs 27
- Stronger multi-core score: 53 vs 26
- 700% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 32 GB
- 500% higher L2 cache: 6 MB vs 1 MB
- 300% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 8 MB
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-4790
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-4790 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2014 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1150 |
| Process | 4 nm+82% | 22 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W+23% | 84 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-4790 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6+50% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 6+50% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12+50% | 8 |
| Base clock | 3.9 GHz+8% | 3.6 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.4 GHz+35% | 4 GHz |
| L2 cache | 6 MB+500% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 32 MB+300% | 8 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-4790 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel HD Graphics 4600 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 1,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-4790 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+700% | 32 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-4790 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-4790 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | — | 1,230Bottom 17% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | — | 4,050Bottom 14% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,180Top 13% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 17,176+273%Top 35% | 4,600Bottom 12% |
| PassMark | 30,047+262%Top 40% | 8,300Bottom 11% |
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