PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i9-10900E

2020

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 5 5500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 39.6 vs 121.5 PassMark/$ ($488 MSRP vs $159 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 5500

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $329 less on MSRP ($159 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
✅Delivers 206.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 121.5 vs 39.6 PassMark/$ ($159 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,311 vs 19,332).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-10900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-10900E

2020

Ryzen 5 5500

2022

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 5 5500 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Costs $329 less on MSRP ($159 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
✅Delivers 206.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 121.5 vs 39.6 PassMark/$ ($159 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 39.6 vs 121.5 PassMark/$ ($488 MSRP vs $159 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,311 vs 19,332).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-10900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900E better than Ryzen 5 5500?

Yes. Core i9-10900E is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 0.3% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-10900E is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 0.3% more average FPS across 2 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-10900E is the better fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i9-10900E is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5500 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-10900E is 206.9% more expensive on MSRP at $488 MSRP versus $159 MSRP, and it gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5500 is also 206.6% better value on MSRP (121.5 vs 39.6 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 5500 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 5500 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i9-10900E Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 5500 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-10900E	Ryzen 5 5500
1080p
low	164 FPS	181 FPS
medium	145 FPS	150 FPS
high	118 FPS	120 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	97 FPS
1440p
low	139 FPS	153 FPS
medium	119 FPS	124 FPS
high	96 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	81 FPS	79 FPS
4K
low	76 FPS	70 FPS
medium	70 FPS	61 FPS
high	56 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	38 FPS

Open Core i9-10900E Open Ryzen 5 5500

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-10900E	Ryzen 5 5500
1080p
low	483 FPS	329 FPS
medium	420 FPS	285 FPS
high	359 FPS	254 FPS
ultra	324 FPS	221 FPS
1440p
low	419 FPS	291 FPS
medium	368 FPS	258 FPS
high	317 FPS	233 FPS
ultra	276 FPS	201 FPS
4K
low	258 FPS	229 FPS
medium	227 FPS	206 FPS
high	213 FPS	189 FPS
ultra	185 FPS	162 FPS

Open Core i9-10900E Open Ryzen 5 5500

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-10900E	Ryzen 5 5500
1080p
low	483 FPS	483 FPS
medium	483 FPS	483 FPS
high	483 FPS	483 FPS
ultra	449 FPS	406 FPS
1440p
low	483 FPS	483 FPS
medium	483 FPS	411 FPS
high	479 FPS	361 FPS
ultra	403 FPS	300 FPS
4K
low	483 FPS	340 FPS
medium	408 FPS	285 FPS
high	361 FPS	248 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	192 FPS

Open Core i9-10900E Open Ryzen 5 5500

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-10900E	Ryzen 5 5500
1080p
low	483 FPS	483 FPS
medium	483 FPS	483 FPS
high	483 FPS	483 FPS
ultra	483 FPS	483 FPS
1440p
low	483 FPS	483 FPS
medium	483 FPS	483 FPS
high	483 FPS	483 FPS
ultra	483 FPS	425 FPS
4K
low	483 FPS	448 FPS
medium	483 FPS	404 FPS
high	445 FPS	360 FPS
ultra	389 FPS	308 FPS

Open Core i9-10900E Open Ryzen 5 5500

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-10900E and Ryzen 5 5500

Core i9-10900E

The Core i9-10900E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,332 points. Launch price was $488.

Ryzen 5 5500

The Ryzen 5 5500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,311 points. Launch price was $159.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-10900E packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5500 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-10900E has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i9-10900E versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500 — a 11.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900E (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-10900E uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses Cezanne (2021−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10900E scores 19,332 against the Ryzen 5 5500's 19,311 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i9-10900E. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900E vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 5 5500.

Feature	Core i9-10900E	Ryzen 5 5500
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+12%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.6 GHz+29%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+25%	16 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Cezanne (2021−2025)
PassMark	19,332	19,311

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10900E uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2933 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i9-10900E) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5500) — the Ryzen 5 5500 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1200 (Core i9-10900E) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series (Ryzen 5 5500).

Feature	Core i9-10900E	Ryzen 5 5500
Socket	LGA1200	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5500 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10900E) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5500). The Core i9-10900E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 5500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5500 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i9-10900E	Ryzen 5 5500
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-10900E launched at $488 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5500 debuted at $159. On MSRP ($488 vs $159), the Ryzen 5 5500 is $329 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10900E delivers 39.6 pts/$ vs 121.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5500 — making the Ryzen 5 5500 the 101.6% better value option.