Ryzen 9 5900X vs Core i9-7960X

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7960X and Ryzen 9 5900X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	290	174
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	3.69	63.35
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i9	AMD Ryzen 9
Architecture codename	Skylake (server) (2017−2019)	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020)
Release date	30 May 2017 (7 years ago)	8 October 2020 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,699	$549
Current price	$2053 (1.2x MSRP)	$351 (0.6x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 9 5900X has 1617% better value for money than i9-7960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7960X and Ryzen 9 5900X basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores	16 (Hexadeca-Core)	12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads	32	24
Base clock speed	2.8 GHz	3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.4 GHz	4.8 GHz
Bus support	4 × 8 GT/s	no data
L1 cache	1 MB	768 KB
L2 cache	16 MB	6 MB
L3 cache	22 MB (shared)	64 MB
Chip lithography	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Die size	484 mm2	2x 80.7 + 125 (I/O) mm2
Maximum core temperature	98 °C	no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	95 °C
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	+
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7960X and Ryzen 9 5900X compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Socket	FCLGA2066	AM4
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	105 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7960X and Ryzen 9 5900X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512	86x MMX(+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A,-64, AMD-V, AES, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, SHA, Precision Boost 2
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	no data
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	no data
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	no data
TSX	+	no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	+	no data
Status	Discontinued	no data

Security technologies

Core i9-7960X and Ryzen 9 5900X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB

+

no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7960X and Ryzen 9 5900X are enumerated here.

AMD-V	no data	+
VT-d	+	no data
VT-x	+	no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7960X and Ryzen 9 5900X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size	128 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	85 GB/s	51.196 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

N/A

-

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7960X and Ryzen 9 5900X.

PCIe version	3.0	4.0
PCI Express lanes	44	no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

---

Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Ryzen 9 5900X outperforms Core i9-7960X by 36% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

---

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	18.57	25.33
Recency	30 May 2017	8 October 2020
Physical cores	16	12
Threads	32	24
Cost	$1699	$549
Chip lithography	14 nm	7 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	105 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7960X and Ryzen 9 5900X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.

---