AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs AMD Ryzen 9 9900X

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Ryzen 9 5900X compared with Ryzen 9 9900X

	AMDRyzen 9 5900X	AMDRyzen 9 9900X
Overview
Released
Released	November 2020	August 2024
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	12	12
Threads
Threads	24	24
Base clock
Base clock	3.7 GHz	4.4 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	4.8 GHz	5.6 GHz (better)
L3 cache
L3 cache	64 MB	64 MB
Cores
Cores	Zen 3; Vermeer. Two CPU chiplets with six active cores each (PC Gamer).	12 Zen 5 cores with simultaneous multithreading; codename Granite Ridge AM5; 3 dies in the package
Clocks
Clocks	Unlocked for overclocking; AMD's launch notice describes Precision Boost 2 and Precision Boost Overdrive.	Precision Boost 2; Precision Boost Overdrive and Curve Optimizer supported
Cache
Cache	6 MB L2; Zen 3 unifies each eight-core complex around 32 MB of L3 cache, as described in AMD's launch notice.	L1 960 KB, L2 12 MB, L3 64 MB
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	No	Yes
Graphics
Graphics	A separate graphics card is required.	AMD Radeon Graphics, 2 graphics cores at 2200 MHz; USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode
Platform
Socket
Socket	AM4	AM5
Base power
Base power	105 W	120 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	No
Memory support
Memory support	DDR4; up to 3200 MT/s.	DDR5, 2 channels, up to 256 GB (UDIMM); DDR5-5600 with 2 modules, DDR5-3600 with 4; ECC with motherboard support
PCIe
PCIe	PCIe 4.0.	PCIe 5.0; 28 lanes (24 usable); native USB: 4 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), 1 × USB 2.0
Chipsets
Chipsets	AMD's launch notice specifies 500-series motherboards with a BIOS update; check the motherboard CPU support list.	A620, X670E, X670, B650E, B650, X870E, X870, B840, B850
Process
Process	TSMC 7nm FinFET CPU cores; separate 12nm I/O die (PC Gamer).	TSMC 4nm FinFET (CPU cores), TSMC 6nm FinFET (I/O die)
Cooler
Cooler	No thermal solution included; AMD recommends liquid cooling for optimal performance. Maximum operating temperature 90°C.	Not included; Liquid cooler recommended for optimal performance; Tjmax 95°C