AMD Ryzen 5 9600X vs Intel Core i7-9700K
84.7Single-core39
52.5Multi-core35.5
66.6Gamingspec-based39.8
14 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 9600X3 spec wins — Intel Core i7-9700K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X wins this desktop processor face-off, 65.7 to 37.6, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+46) and multi-core (+17). Intel Core i7-9700K 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 39
- Stronger multi-core score: 53 vs 36
- 200% higher L2 cache: 6 MB vs 2 MB
- 167% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 12 MB
- 110% higher PassMark: 30,047 vs 14,300
- Lower launch price: $279 vs $374
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-9700K
- 35% higher Max turbo power: 119 W vs 88 W
- 33% higher cores: 8 vs 6
- 33% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 6
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2018 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1151-v2 |
| Process | 4 nm+71% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W+32% | 95 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | 119 W+35% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12+50% | 8 |
| Base clock | 3.9 GHz+8% | 3.6 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.4 GHz+10% | 4.9 GHz |
| L2 cache | 6 MB+200% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 32 MB+167% | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 1,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+100% | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | — | 1,680Bottom 40% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | — | 7,000Bottom 38% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,180+74%Top 13% | 1,250Bottom 28% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 17,176+77%Top 35% | 9,700Bottom 35% |
| PassMark | 30,047+110%Top 40% | 14,300Bottom 25% |
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