AMD Ryzen 5 9600X vs Intel Core i7-5960X
84.7Single-core20.5
52.5Multi-core34.1
66.6Gamingspec-based43.4
12 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 9600X5 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X wins this desktop processor face-off, 65.7 to 32.3, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+64) and multi-core (+18). Intel Core i7-5960X 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 21
- Stronger multi-core score: 53 vs 34
- 300% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 64 GB
- 200% higher L2 cache: 6 MB vs 2 MB
- 151% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 2,180 vs 870
- Lower launch price: $279 vs $999
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-5960X
- 100% higher Memory channels: 4 vs 2
- 43% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 28
- 33% higher cores: 8 vs 6
- 33% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 6
- 33% higher threads: 16 vs 12
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2014 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA2011-v3 |
| Process | 4 nm+82% | 22 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W+54% | 140 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12 | 16+33% |
| Base clock | 3.9 GHz+30% | 3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.4 GHz+54% | 3.5 GHz |
| L2 cache | 6 MB+200% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 32 MB+60% | 20 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | — |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | — |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+300% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 4+100% |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28 | 40+43% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | — | 1,030Bottom 5% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | — | 6,100Bottom 28% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,180+151%Top 13% | 870Bottom 4% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 17,176+107%Top 35% | 8,300Bottom 28% |
| PassMark | 30,047+90%Top 40% | 15,800Bottom 28% |
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