AMD Ryzen 7 9700X vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Buy the Ryzen 7 9700X for a new build or a big jump in speed; it is two generations newer, has 8 cores and 16 threads, and runs on AM5 with DDR5 and PCIe 5.0. Buy the Ryzen 5 5600X only if you already own an AM4 board and want a cheap, proven 6-core gaming chip. No prices were given for either chip, so compare live store prices before deciding.
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Choose the Ryzen 7 9700X if you are building a new AM5 system or want the fastest gaming and productivity chip of the two.
- 8 cores and 16 threads handle gaming plus streaming and editing.
- Zen 5 on 4nm is much faster per clock than Zen 3.
- DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 give room for future GPUs and SSDs.
- 65W default TDP keeps cooling and power needs modest.
- Integrated graphics let you boot without a discrete GPU.
What separates them
| AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM5 | AM4 |
| Cores / threads | 8 / 16 | 6 / 12 |
| Max boost clock | 5.5 GHz | Not listed; base 3.7 GHz |
| Base clock | 3.8 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| Architecture | Zen 5, TSMC 4nm | Zen 3, 7nm |
| Memory | DDR5, up to 192 GB | DDR4 (AM4 platform) |
| PCIe | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| TDP | 65W default | 65W |
Price history
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X: lowest $329.99 on Nov 2 at Central Computers.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X: lowest $168.31 on Nov 3 at Amazon.
Prices at every store
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
- B&H Photo-Video-AudioCheck price at B&H Photo-Video-Audio
- Central ComputersCheck price at Central Computers
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- AVADirect Custom ComputersCheck price at AVADirect Custom Computers
- Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
- eBayCheck price at eBay
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Specs compared
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket Type | AM5 | Socket AM4 |
| Clock Speed | 3.8 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| Number Of Cores | 8 | 6-core |
| Supports Overclocking | Yes | Yes |
| color | Multicolor | — |
| Cores | 8-core | — |
| Threads | 16 threads | — |
| Max Boost Clock | 5.5 GHz | — |
| Base Clock | 3.8GHz | — |
| Cache | 32MB L3 Cache | — |
| L2 Cache |
What reviewers say
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
Reviewers rate the 9700X as a strong, efficient 8-core chip whose gains over the 7700X are real but modest. Most praise its low power draw and cool running, while noting it is not a big leap for existing AM5 owners.
- PerformancePraisedReviewers find it fast in games and single-threaded tasks, though the jump over the 7700X is modest.
- Power drawPraisedThe 65W default TDP keeps power use and heat low, which owners like for small or quiet builds.
- TemperaturePraisedIt runs cool with a basic air cooler, so expensive cooling is not needed.
- ValueMixed
Questions and answers
- Which is better for gaming?
- The Ryzen 7 9700X. Zen 5 and a 5.5 GHz boost give it a clear lead in most games, especially at 1080p. The 5600X is still fine for 60 fps play on older titles.
- Can I put the 9700X in my AM4 board?
- No. The 9700X uses AM5, so it needs a new motherboard and DDR5 memory. The 5600X is the drop-in upgrade for AM4.
- Which lasts longer?
- The 9700X. AM5 is the current platform with future CPU support, while AM4 is at the end of its upgrade path.
- Do I need a graphics card with either?
- The 9700X has integrated graphics, so it can run a display without a GPU. The 5600X has none and needs a discrete card.
- Is the 9700X worth the extra money?
- For a new build, yes: more cores, faster memory and a platform you can upgrade. For a tight budget on an existing AM4 system, the 5600X is the better value.