Intel Core i9-9900K vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 3%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | Intel Core i9-9900K | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 66/100 | 68/100 |
| Tier | B | B |
| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |
| Cores | 8 | 6 |
| Threads | 16 | 12 |
| Base clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5 GHz | 4.6 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 95 W | 65 W |
| Release year | 2018 | 2020 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is the better buy — it holds a 3% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The Intel Core i9-9900K has more cores (8 vs 6), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X runs 30W cooler, meaning a cheaper cooler and less case heat. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.