AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs Intel Core i5-9600K
93Single-core36
99Multi-core29.8
85.2Gamingspec-based31
18 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9950X1 spec wins — Intel Core i5-9600K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 93.7 to 32, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+69) and single-core (+57). 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 9950X
- Stronger single-core score: 93 vs 36
- Stronger multi-core score: 99 vs 30
- 967% higher L2 cache: 16 MB vs 2 MB
- 611% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 9 MB
- 527% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 42,000 vs 6,700
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-9600K
- 44% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 170 W
- Lower launch price: $262 vs $649
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i5-9600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2018 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1151-v2 |
| Process | 4 nm+71% | 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 9950X | Intel Core i5-9600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+167% | 6 |
| Performance cores | 16+167% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 32+433% | 6 |
| Base clock | 4.3 GHz+16% | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.7 GHz+24% | 4.6 GHz |
| L2 cache | 16 MB+967% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+611% | 9 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | 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 9950X | Intel Core i5-9600K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max memory | 192 GB+50% | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i5-9600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i5-9600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,400+115%Top 2% | 1,580Bottom 38% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 23,000+360%Top 2% | 5,000Bottom 21% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,280+90%Top 4% | 1,200Bottom 24% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 42,000+527%Top 5% | 6,700Bottom 21% |
| PassMark | 66,500+494%Top 4% | 11,200Bottom 17% |
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