AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core i7-5960X
90.1Single-core20.5
83.6Multi-core34.1
84.6Gaming43.4
17 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9900X2 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 85.8 to 32.3, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+70) and Multi-core (+49). 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 9 9900X
- Stronger Single-core score: 90 vs 21
- Stronger Multi-core score: 84 vs 34
- Stronger gaming score: 85 vs 43
- 500% higher L2 cache: 12 MB vs 2 MB
- 286% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 32,000 vs 8,300
- Lower launch price: $499 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
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2014 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA2011-v3 |
| Process | 4 nm+82% | 22 nm |
| Base TDP | 120 W+14% | 140 W |
| Max turbo power | 162 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+50% | 8 |
| Performance cores | 12+50% | 8 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 24+50% | 16 |
| Base clock | 4.4 GHz+47% | 3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.6 GHz+60% | 3.5 GHz |
| L2 cache | 12 MB+500% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+220% | 20 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | — |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | — |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max memory | 192 GB+200% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 4+100% |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28 | 40+43% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,300+220%Top 3% | 1,030Top 96% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 19,800+225%Top 8% | 6,100Top 69% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,230+156%Top 7% | 870Top 97% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 32,000+286%Top 10% | 8,300Top 70% |
| PassMark | 55,500+251%Top 8% | 15,800Top 60% |
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