AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core i5-10400
90.1Single-core30.4
83.6Multi-core32.2
84.6Gaming36
20 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9900X2 spec wins — Intel Core i5-10400
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 85.8 to 32.6, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+60) and Multi-core (+51). Intel Core i5-10400 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 9900X
- Stronger Single-core score: 90 vs 30
- Stronger Multi-core score: 84 vs 32
- Stronger gaming score: 85 vs 36
- 700% higher L2 cache: 12 MB vs 2 MB
- 433% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 12 MB
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-10400
- 46% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 120 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $182 vs $499
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-10400 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2020 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1200 |
| Process | 4 nm+71% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 120 W | 65 W+46% |
| Max turbo power | 162 W+21% | 134 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-10400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Performance cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 24+100% | 12 |
| Base clock | 4.4 GHz+52% | 2.9 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.6 GHz+30% | 4.3 GHz |
| L2 cache | 12 MB+700% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+433% | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-10400 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz+100% | 1,100 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-10400 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max memory | 192 GB+50% | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-10400 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-10400 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,300+137%Top 3% | 1,390Top 73% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 19,800+241%Top 8% | 5,800Top 70% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,230+103%Top 7% | 1,100Top 80% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 32,000+300%Top 10% | 8,000Top 71% |
| PassMark | 55,500+340%Top 8% | 12,600Top 73% |
Related comparisons
AMD Ryzen 9 9900Xvs Intel Core i9-13900KVSAMD Ryzen 9 9900Xvs AMD Ryzen 9 7950XVSAMD Ryzen 9 9900Xvs Intel Core i9-14900KVSAMD Ryzen 9 9900Xvs Intel Core i9-14900KSVSIntel Core i5-10400vs Intel Core i7-5960XVSIntel Core i5-10400vs Intel Core i5-9600KVSIntel Core i5-10400vs AMD Ryzen 3 3100VSIntel Core i5-10400vs AMD Ryzen 5 2600VS