AMD Ryzen 9 7900X vs Intel Core i5-9600K
77.4Single-core36
78.5Multi-core29.8
84.6Gamingspec-based31
17 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 7900X1 spec wins — Intel Core i5-9600K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 79.7 to 32, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+49) and single-core (+41). Intel Core i5-9600K 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 9 7900X
- Stronger single-core score: 77 vs 36
- Stronger multi-core score: 79 vs 30
- 700% higher L2 cache: 12 MB vs 2 MB
- 611% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 9 MB
- 369% higher PassMark: 52,500 vs 11,200
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-9600K
- 44% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 170 W
- Lower launch price: $262 vs $549
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900X | Intel Core i5-9600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2018 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1151-v2 |
| Process | 5 nm+64% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 170 W | 95 W+44% |
| Max turbo power | 230 W+93% | 119 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900X | Intel Core i5-9600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Performance cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 24+300% | 6 |
| Base clock | 4.7 GHz+27% | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.6 GHz+22% | 4.6 GHz |
| L2 cache | 12 MB+700% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+611% | 9 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900X | Intel Core i5-9600K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 1,150 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900X | Intel Core i5-9600K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5200 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900X | Intel Core i5-9600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900X | Intel Core i5-9600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,880+82%Top 27% | 1,580Bottom 38% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 18,500+270%Top 18% | 5,000Bottom 21% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,000+67%Top 25% | 1,200Bottom 24% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 29,000+333%Top 17% | 6,700Bottom 21% |
| PassMark | 52,500+369%Top 14% | 11,200Bottom 17% |
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