AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs Ryzen 5 7600X – The best of Zen 5 against the budget Zen 4
Table of Contents
AMD has delayed the launch of the Ryzen 9000 series CPUs, this obviously includes the 9950X. Fear not, this has given us some more time to explore the specifications and possible performance differences that the 9000 series brings over the last generation. It’s easy to assume that the 9950X will be better than the 7600X, but in what way, and how? That’s what we’re here to show you.
It’s easy to look at a set of specifications and conclude that a certain CPU will be better because the core number is higher, but it’s not always as clear-cut as that. Comparing these CPUs is like comparing a Nissan GTR to a Nissan Micra, but there is a lot more at play beneath the surface than one might think. Specifically, there are some major IPC improvements to make note of.
If AMD pushing back the 9000 series launch date has got you in a pre-ordering mood, you can check out the 9950X where to buy page for a list of retailers. We expect these stores to be facilitating pre-orders closer to the time.
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AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
Cores
16
Threads
32
Boost clock speed
5.7 GHz
Base clock speed
4.3 GHz
L3 Cache
64 MB
TDP
170 W
Platform
AMD Socket AM5
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CHECK PRICEAMD Ryzen 5 7600X
Cores
6
Threads
12
Boost clock speed
5.3 GHz
Base clock speed
4.7 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB
TDP
105W
Platform
AMD Socket AM5
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CHECK PRICESpecifications
Looking at these CPUs on paper, it’s a decisive victory for the 9950X, one might even ask why we are comparing them in the first place. Well, it’s just fun to look at performance gains, isn’t it? The biggest factor here is the performance improvements that Zen 5 brings over Zen 4.
Specification | Ryzen 9 9950X | Ryzen 5 7600X |
---|---|---|
Cores | 16 | 6 |
Threads | 32 | 12 |
Base Clock | 4.3GHz | 4.7GHz |
Boost Clock | up to 5.7GHz | up to 5.3GHz |
L3 Cache | 64MB (shared) | 32MB (shared) |
TDP | 170W | 105W |
PPT | 230W | 142W |
Socket | AM5 | AM5 |
Core architecture | Zen 5 | Zen 4 |
Zen 5 brings a supposed 16% IPC uplift over Zen 4. If those numbers are to be believed, then we’re going to have a significantly more powerful CPU generation on our hands.
Cores and threads
These CPUs aren’t too comparable on paper, the 9950X has 10 more cores and 20 more threads than the 7600X, and to make matters worse for the Zen 4 budget option, the cores in the 9000 series are Zen 5-based, with a 16% uplift in IPC. So it’s easy to see how the 9950X would outperform the 7600X in all scenarios.
IPC matters, because the manufacturing process in the 9000 series is smaller than that of the 7000 series (4nm vs 5nm) there are more transistors packed into the same footprint. That means that there are more decision-making transistors in the Zen 5 cores, making them able to process more instructions. This is how the Zen 5 CPUs have a big edge over Zen 4, no matter the clock speed differences.
Clock speed
Clock speed also plays a pivotal role in the performance of a CPU. It seems as though the 7600X has an edge in CPU base speeds, or does it? because the speed is higher, does not mean that the performance is better, and it all comes down to IPC. IPC encompasses how many instructions can be processed per cycle (more transistors = more instructions), and clock speed tells us how many cycles happen per second.
In this case, the 9950X is vastly superior, because the IPC is better and the clock speed is faster, a double whammy smackdown on the previous generation, if you will.
Cache
The cache is important in every CPU workload it undertakes, this is because the CPU stores instructions there instead of system memory. But why does it do this? It stores instructions in the cache because it is much faster than system memory. It just so happens that there is more cache and it is faster in the 9950X, with AMD citing double the memory bandwidth than the 7000 series.
TDP and PPT
The TDP metric states the maximum amount of thermal energy a CPU can emit during normal operating conditions, if we’re going on this alone, the 7600X would be a more efficient choice, but it’s not as simple as that. The 7600X has 10 fewer cores, but it doesn’t reflect that in the TDP, having less than a 65W difference between that and the 9950X.
Going off this, the 9950X is the more efficient pick for the performance you get, despite the higher TDP. The PPT is the measurement of power their motherboard will allow through the power rails to the CPU. Obviously the 9950X needs to use a little more power, to compensate for having more than double the cores.
9950X price estimate
Obviously, we know how much the 7600X is, if you’re lucky you can pick one up for around $200. But since AMD has made no official statements on price, the MSRP of the entire 9000 series eludes us. With that being said, we can make a price estimate, based on other CPU MSRPs from past generations, here are some:
- 7950X- $699
- 7900X – $549
- 7700X – $399
- 5700X – $299
- 5900X – $549
- 3900X – $499
- 14900K – $589
- 13900K – $589
- 14700K – $409
- 13700K – $409
Of course, we’d like to see the 9950X release at the same price as its predecessor, the 7950X, however, life has gotten more expensive since the release of the 7000 series, not to mention the cost of chip manufacturing increasing. So there’s a good chance the difference will have to be made up by us consumers, but maybe AMD themselves will just absorb it to make the CPUs accessible for everyone. Only time will tell.
Graphical capabilities
Both of these CPUs have graphical capabilities, just one may be more capable than the other. The 7600X has an RDNA 2 dual CU iGPU that WePC says is capable of running CS:GO at 130 FPS. Pretty impressive given that this iGPU is not at all designed for gaming.
The iGPU in the 9000 series is similar, still a 2 CU setup, but this time the architecture is RDNA 3, and the variable core speed is set between 400 – 2,200MHz. It will be very interesting to see what this iGPU is capable of. Both of these CPUs have integrated graphics more than capable of driving a display in the absence of a GPU. I wouldn’t try too hard to game on them, but it’s good to know you can at least play CS.
How do these CPUs compare generationally?
We’ve spent some time discussing how these CPUs compare generationally, but it’s time to discuss the platform on which they both sit.
If you opt for any of these two CPUs, you’re buying into the same platform, that being AM5. This is the successor to AM4 and brings things like PCIe Gen 5 to storage, and much faster connectivity. The fact of the matter is, you don’t have to compromise no matter the CPU you pick.
You might be more inclined to wait till the 800 series chipsets launch if you have your heart set on the 9000 series, as they were certainly designed with the 800 series in mind, or visa versa. You’d probably get a better experience if you pair the best with the best. But if you don’t need the extra connectivity and power stage improvements, you can stay on the 600 series with the 7600X.
AMD almost certainly skipped the 700 series of motherboards to catch up with Intel with its naming convention, as Intel stayed 1 motherboard generation ahead with the 700 series.
Alternatives to the 9950X and the 7600X
We’d be a miss if we didn’t recommend the 14900K to replace the 9950X, as early benchmarks suggest that they are very similar in terms of performance. Intel is yet to hit back with Arrow Lake and the 15th generation, but it is coming … If you fancy something on the AM4 platform, we recommend the 5800X3D, which is one heck of a gaming processor.
-
Intel Core i9-14900K
- Cores: 24 (8P-16E)
- Threads: 32
- Boost clock speed : P-Core 5.8GHz / E-Core 4.4GHz
- Base clock speed: P-Core 3.2GHz / E-Core 2.4GHz
- L3 Cache: 36 MB
- TDP: 253W
-
Intel Core i5-13600K
- Cores: 14 (6P-8E)
- Threads: 20
- Boost speed : P-Core 5.1GHz / E-Core 3.5GHz
- Base speed: P-Core 3.5GHz / E-Core 2.6GHz
- L3 Cache: 24MB
- TDP: 181W
-
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
- Cores: 8
- Threads: 16
- Boost speed : Up to 4.5 GHz
- Base speed: 3.4 GHz
- L3 Cache: 96 MB
- TDP: 105W
-
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- Cores: 12
- Threads : 24
- Boost clock speed: 5.6 GHz
- Base clock speed: 4.7 GHz
- L3 Cache: 64 MB
- TDP: 170 W
What CPU is right for you?
Each of these CPUs on offer today has its advantages, the Ryzen 9 9950X has power and efficiency on its side, a real powerhouse of a CPU capable of crushing any thread that dares cross its path, however, it is still in competition with the 14th generation Intel CPUs. Zen 5 is a fantastic upgrade to Zen 4, and AMD will continue to make the most of the 4nm until they move on to Zen 5c and further. AMD will always offer the best power-efficient CPUs and that’s reflected in these two CPUs here today.
If you want a CPU that will save you some money, and you don’t need all of the power that the Zen 5 CPUs bring, then the 7600X is a great place to start. It can still hold its own when it comes to processing workloads, especially in the multi-core department, and will do well being an office workhorse. If you want more power for say simulation workloads, then the 9950X is a fantastic go-to, but it will be on the expensive side, simply because it’s a new release, and the best of the best AMD has to offer.
No matter the CPU you choose, you can enjoy the fruits of AM5 and all she brings, so if you’re just in it for the platform, the choice doesn’t matter. Of course, one doesn’t future-proof your PC as much as the other, but it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, so it depends on what your budget allows.