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.

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 16 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $549 MSRP, while Ryzen 9 8945H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1212.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 8W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 9 8945H moves to FP7/FP7r2/FP8 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 8945H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 9 8945H

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 8W instead of 105W, a 97W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP7/FP7r2/FP8 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 780M, while Ryzen 9 5900X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,500 vs 21,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Ryzen 9 8945H

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 16 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Draws 8W instead of 105W, a 97W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP7/FP7r2/FP8 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 780M, while Ryzen 9 5900X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $549 MSRP, while Ryzen 9 8945H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1212.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 8W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 9 8945H moves to FP7/FP7r2/FP8 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 9 8945H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,500 vs 21,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 64 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Ryzen 9 8945H?

Yes. Ryzen 9 5900X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 20% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 28.8% higher PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 5900X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 9.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 5900X is the better fit. You are getting 20% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 5900X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 9 5900X is at an unclear MSRP at $549 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Ryzen 9 8945H is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FP7/FP7r2/FP8 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

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.

Ryzen 9 5900X Benchmark Check

Ryzen 9 8945H Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen 9 5900X	Ryzen 9 8945H
1080p
low	323 FPS	269 FPS
medium	291 FPS	243 FPS
high	243 FPS	204 FPS
ultra	193 FPS	176 FPS
1440p
low	307 FPS	236 FPS
medium	248 FPS	193 FPS
high	192 FPS	157 FPS
ultra	157 FPS	139 FPS
4K
low	193 FPS	164 FPS
medium	156 FPS	136 FPS
high	115 FPS	105 FPS
ultra	103 FPS	92 FPS

Open Ryzen 9 5900X Open Ryzen 9 8945H

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen 9 5900X	Ryzen 9 8945H
1080p
low	772 FPS	513 FPS
medium	647 FPS	421 FPS
high	508 FPS	363 FPS
ultra	450 FPS	323 FPS
1440p
low	619 FPS	448 FPS
medium	536 FPS	388 FPS
high	443 FPS	334 FPS
ultra	364 FPS	285 FPS
4K
low	365 FPS	295 FPS
medium	318 FPS	267 FPS
high	289 FPS	253 FPS
ultra	255 FPS	217 FPS

Open Ryzen 9 5900X Open Ryzen 9 8945H

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen 9 5900X	Ryzen 9 8945H
1080p
low	832 FPS	756 FPS
medium	645 FPS	756 FPS
high	558 FPS	647 FPS
ultra	459 FPS	546 FPS
1440p
low	721 FPS	756 FPS
medium	565 FPS	637 FPS
high	488 FPS	541 FPS
ultra	407 FPS	464 FPS
4K
low	511 FPS	541 FPS
medium	421 FPS	473 FPS
high	374 FPS	419 FPS
ultra	308 FPS	355 FPS

Open Ryzen 9 5900X Open Ryzen 9 8945H

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen 9 5900X	Ryzen 9 8945H
1080p
low	974 FPS	756 FPS
medium	974 FPS	756 FPS
high	934 FPS	756 FPS
ultra	826 FPS	754 FPS
1440p
low	959 FPS	756 FPS
medium	843 FPS	756 FPS
high	726 FPS	660 FPS
ultra	617 FPS	573 FPS
4K
low	694 FPS	572 FPS
medium	621 FPS	511 FPS
high	541 FPS	457 FPS
ultra	437 FPS	394 FPS

Open Ryzen 9 5900X Open Ryzen 9 8945H

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 9 5900X and Ryzen 9 8945H

Ryzen 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.

Ryzen 9 8945H

The Ryzen 9 8945H is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP7r2/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 MB + 16 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 30,240 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 9 5900X packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 9 8945H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X versus 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 9 8945H — a 8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 8945H (base: 3.7 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Ryzen 9 5900X uses the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Ryzen 9 8945H uses Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 5900X scores 38,955 against the Ryzen 9 8945H's 30,240 — a 25.2% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 21,000 vs 17,500 (18.2% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,174 vs 2,617, a 18.5% lead for the Ryzen 9 8945H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,888 vs 12,662 (6.3% advantage for the Ryzen 9 8945H). L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 9 8945H.

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	Ryzen 9 8945H
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5.2 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz	4 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	64 MB+300%	16 MB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	8 MB+1500%
Process	7 nm, 12 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)	Hawk Point-HS (Zen 4) (2023−2024)
PassMark	38,955+29%	30,240
Cinebench R23 Multi	21,000+20%	17,500
Geekbench 6 Single	2,174	2,617+20%
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,888	12,662+7%

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 9 5900X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 9 8945H uses FP7/FP7r2/FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900X versus DDR5-5600 on the Ryzen 9 8945H — the Ryzen 9 8945H supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 8945H supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) vs 20 (Ryzen 9 8945H) — the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X) and FP7,FP7r2,FP8 (Ryzen 9 8945H).

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	Ryzen 9 8945H
Socket	AM4	FP7/FP7r2/FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR5-5600+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	256 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	24+20%	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 5900X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 9 8945H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The Ryzen 9 8945H includes integrated graphics (Radeon 780M), while the Ryzen 9 5900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation, Ryzen 9 8945H targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K; Ryzen 9 8945H rivals Core i9-13900H.