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 i9-9820X

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅83.3% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.0 vs 145.1 PassMark/$ ($889 MSRP vs $140 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 5600GT can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600GT.

Ryzen 5 5600GT

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $749 less on MSRP ($140 MSRP vs $889 MSRP).
✅Delivers 530.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 145.1 vs 23.0 PassMark/$ ($140 MSRP vs $889 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Vega 7, while Core i9-9820X needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Core i9-9820X.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9820X across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (9,300 vs 9,361).

Core i9-9820X

2018

Ryzen 5 5600GT

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅83.3% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Costs $749 less on MSRP ($140 MSRP vs $889 MSRP).
✅Delivers 530.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 145.1 vs 23.0 PassMark/$ ($140 MSRP vs $889 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Vega 7, while Core i9-9820X needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Core i9-9820X.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.0 vs 145.1 PassMark/$ ($889 MSRP vs $140 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 5600GT can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600GT.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9820X across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (9,300 vs 9,361).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9820X better than Ryzen 5 5600GT?

Yes. Core i9-9820X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 4.6% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better Geekbench multi-core, and 0.7% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-9820X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 4.6% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9820X is the better fit. You are getting 0.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i9-9820X is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600GT makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-9820X is 535.0% more expensive on MSRP at $889 MSRP versus $140 MSRP, and it gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600GT is also 530.5% better value on MSRP (145.1 vs 23.0 PassMark/$), 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 5600GT 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 5600GT is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2018). 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 i9-9820X Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 5600GT Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-9820X	Ryzen 5 5600GT
1080p
low	176 FPS	178 FPS
medium	140 FPS	150 FPS
high	114 FPS	120 FPS
ultra	91 FPS	100 FPS
1440p
low	145 FPS	153 FPS
medium	114 FPS	125 FPS
high	91 FPS	100 FPS
ultra	72 FPS	84 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	83 FPS
medium	56 FPS	74 FPS
high	44 FPS	59 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	46 FPS

Open Core i9-9820X Open Ryzen 5 5600GT

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-9820X	Ryzen 5 5600GT
1080p
low	327 FPS	360 FPS
medium	281 FPS	304 FPS
high	249 FPS	267 FPS
ultra	221 FPS	231 FPS
1440p
low	296 FPS	313 FPS
medium	259 FPS	271 FPS
high	228 FPS	245 FPS
ultra	198 FPS	208 FPS
4K
low	217 FPS	235 FPS
medium	194 FPS	207 FPS
high	179 FPS	192 FPS
ultra	156 FPS	161 FPS

Open Core i9-9820X Open Ryzen 5 5600GT

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-9820X	Ryzen 5 5600GT
1080p
low	511 FPS	508 FPS
medium	511 FPS	508 FPS
high	511 FPS	502 FPS
ultra	471 FPS	418 FPS
1440p
low	511 FPS	499 FPS
medium	482 FPS	409 FPS
high	423 FPS	369 FPS
ultra	367 FPS	308 FPS
4K
low	433 FPS	343 FPS
medium	340 FPS	291 FPS
high	298 FPS	252 FPS
ultra	239 FPS	194 FPS

Open Core i9-9820X Open Ryzen 5 5600GT

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-9820X	Ryzen 5 5600GT
1080p
low	511 FPS	508 FPS
medium	511 FPS	508 FPS
high	511 FPS	508 FPS
ultra	511 FPS	508 FPS
1440p
low	511 FPS	508 FPS
medium	511 FPS	508 FPS
high	511 FPS	508 FPS
ultra	502 FPS	492 FPS
4K
low	511 FPS	508 FPS
medium	480 FPS	459 FPS
high	426 FPS	407 FPS
ultra	367 FPS	352 FPS

Open Core i9-9820X Open Ryzen 5 5600GT

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-9820X and Ryzen 5 5600GT

Core i9-9820X

The Core i9-9820X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 20,456 points. Launch price was $898.

Ryzen 5 5600GT

The Ryzen 5 5600GT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year 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 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 20,312 points. Launch price was $140.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-9820X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600GT offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-9820X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i9-9820X versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600GT — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600GT (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-9820X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600GT uses Cezanne (2021−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9820X scores 20,456 against the Ryzen 5 5600GT's 20,312 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i9-9820X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,394 vs 2,000, a 35.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600GT that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,361 vs 9,300 (0.7% advantage for the Core i9-9820X). L3 cache: 16.5 MB (total) on the Core i9-9820X vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600GT.

Feature	Core i9-9820X	Ryzen 5 5600GT
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.6 GHz+10%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	16.5 MB (total)+3%	16 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+100%	512 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Cezanne (2021−2025)
PassMark	20,456	20,312
Geekbench 6 Single	1,394	2,000+43%
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,361	9,300

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9820X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600GT uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i9-9820X versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600GT — the Core i9-9820X supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-9820X) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 5600GT). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-9820X) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600GT) — the Core i9-9820X offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel X299 (Core i9-9820X) and A520,B550,X570,B450,X470 (Ryzen 5 5600GT).

Feature	Core i9-9820X	Ryzen 5 5600GT
Socket	LGA2066	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2666 MHz	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	44+83%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-9820X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core i9-9820X) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600GT). The Ryzen 5 5600GT includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 7), while the Core i9-9820X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-9820X targets Workstation, Ryzen 5 5600GT targets Budget Gaming/Desktop.

Feature	Core i9-9820X	Ryzen 5 5600GT
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Radeon Vega 7
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	true	AMD-V
Target Use	Workstation	Budget Gaming/Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-9820X launched at $889 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600GT debuted at $140. On MSRP ($889 vs $140), the Ryzen 5 5600GT is $749 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9820X delivers 23.0 pts/$ vs 145.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600GT — making the Ryzen 5 5600GT the 145.2% better value option.