Ryzen 9 5900X vs Ryzen 9 5950X

Ryzen 9 5900X and 5950X processors make for a good choice of processors for gaming computers. Both processors allow overclocking and can provide good competition to the 9th generation Intel i9 processors. Infact, both processors are marginally slower than the i9 12 th generation processor series and the i9-12900K processor of the 12th generation family. Both processors are based on the AMD’s Zen 3 architecture. We review the significant differences between the Ryzen 9 5900X and the Ryzen 9 5950X processors. Ryzen 9 5950X is significantly more expensive than the Ryzen 9 5900X processor.

Processor specifications – Ryzen 9 5950X vs Ryzen 9 5900X

Most differences between the Ryzen 9 5950X and Ryzen 9 5900X arise on account of the higher number of threads, cores, and cache on the Ryzen 9 5950X. These enhanced processor specifications also help in getting higher benchmark scores for the Ryzen 9 5950X series desktop processors. We lay each specification below for a ready reference point:

  • Ryzen 9 5950X has 16 cores while the Ryzen 9 5900X has 12 cores.
  • Ryzen 9 5950X has 32 threads while the Ryzen 9 5900X has 24 threads.
  • Ryzen 9 5950X has a base frequency of 3.4 GHz, while the Ryzen 9 5900X has a base frequency of 3.7 GHz.
  • Ryzen 9 5950X has a high frequency of 4.9 GHz while the Ryzen 9 5900X has a base frequency of 4.8 GHz.
  • L2 cache in Ryzen 5950X is marginally higher at 8 MB. Ryzen 9 5900X has an L2 cache of 6 MB. L3 cache remains unchanged at 64 MB for both processors.

The increase in the number of cores and the L2 cache lead to improved processing speeds on the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X processors. The exact performance gains can be easily vetted against the higher benchmark scores of the Ryzen 9 5950X processor.

Aside from these differences, other features remain unchanged between Ryzen 9 5950X and Ryzen 9 5900X processors. We believe that should be aware of some significant features of the Ryzen 9 5950X and Ryzen 9 5900X processors. These should come in handy when you compare Ryzen 9 5950X with an Intel i9 processor of the ninth generation or higher generation.

PCIe express – Ryzen 9 5950X vs Ryzen 9 5900X

Both the Ryzen processors are compatible with the PCIe 4 standards for data transmission to and fro from the processor. PCIe 4 standards are slower than the PCIe 5 express standards. However, you can still experience a lively speed and performance on the Ryzen 9 5950X or Ryzen 9 5900X based systems.

Intel i9 12th generation is compatible with the PCIe 5 express standards. So, if you intend to pit the Ryzen 9 5950X against an Intel i9-12900K, you will have a fair idea of the PCIe 5’s impact on the data transmission rates through the motherboard onto the processor. PCIe 5 speeds of data transmission can go as high as 76.8 GTs or 76.8 Gigatransfers per second. PCIe 4 is slower and offers bandwidth speed that can go up to speeds of 47.8 GTs.

RAM compatibility – Ryzen 9 5950X vs Ryzen 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5950X and Ryzen 9 5900X processors are compatible with DDR4 RAM standards and can work with RAM speeds that can go up to 3200 MHz speed. In terms of RAM compatibility, both processors are similar.

Now, this works pretty well for most computers. But, we feel you must be aware of RAM compatibility for the i9 12th generation Intel processors. i9 12th generation processors are compatible with DDR5 and DDR4 RAM chipsets. Memory speed can go as high as 4800 MHz. DDR4 RAM on the Ryzen 9 5900X can go up to 3200 MHz.

An additional benefit of the Ryzen 9 5950X is that it can work with the ECC RAM. ECC or the Error correcting RAM that can detect errors and data corruption to take corrective action.

Use Cases – Ryzen 9 5950X vs Ryzen 9 5900X

Ryzen 9 5950X is preferred over the Ryzen 9 5900X processors in the following scenarios:

  • Ryzen 9 5950X offers better streaming performance over the Ryzen 9 5900X. For someone looking to stream through their computer, a 5950X processor would be preferred on account of the additional cores on the 5950X over the 5900X processor. You may need to factor in the costs of the 5950X as it is costlier by almost $250 as of now.
  • Ryzen 9 5950X should be also preferred when you intend to use the computer for encoding.
  • Ryzen 9 5950X would give you better performance on video rendering and video editing tasks and projects. For professionals who handle sizable rendering jobs, the 5950X could end up saving up to 30% time over the 5900X.
  • Ryzen 9 5950X will also be better for the photogrammetry professionals. 5950X can save considerable time in handling photogrammetry tasks.

If you intend to use the 5950X only for gaming, you could get almost similar performance on the 5900X. This should save you some money too. The Ryzen 9 5950X processor is suitable for the workload management of professionals who encode videos, render videos, perform photogrammetry tasks or do online streaming.

If cost is not a concern, Ryzen 9 5950X is a sure preference over the Ryzen 9 5900X processor. Otherwise, you may decide about the use case scenario before committing additional money on the Ryzen 9 5950X processors.

Windows 11 – Ryzen 9 5900X vs Ryzen 9 5950X

Ryzen 9 5900X and 5950X are compatible with Windows 11. You could verify the same by visiting the Microsoft website. Microsoft has shared a document that lists the AMD processors with Windows 11 support. It is, however, quite possible that you may initially get the Windows 10 operating system. This could upgrade to the Windows 11 operating system as part of the Windows Update program.

Summary

Ryzen 9 5950X is one of the best high performance processors that are available right now. It can significantly boost performance and manage your workload due to enhanced rendering speeds. You must consider Ryzen 9 5950X processors for professional tasks and streaming. However, the Ryzen 9 5950X processor is overkill for gamers, and you would enjoy almost similar gaming performance and quality with a Ryzen 9 5900X processors.

You may also like to read more about content related to Intel and AMD processors below:

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Rajesh Dhawan

Rajesh Dhawan is a technology professional who loves to blog about smart wearables, Cloud computing and Microsoft technologies. He loves to break complex problems into manageable chunks of meaningful information.