AMD Ryzen 5 5500 vs Intel Core i7-9700K Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 wins every multi-core benchmark in the comparison. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 16429 against the Intel Core i7-9700K's 12238, a 34.2% advantage. PassMark Multi-thread shows a 34.1% lead (19330 vs 14414).

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-9700K win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins 2 of the 19 head-to-head tests. It leads in PassMark Extended Instructions (18088 vs 17236, a 4.7% edge) and PassMark Random String Sorting (25756 vs 24757, a 3.9% advantage).

Q: How do their single-thread scores compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 5500 is ahead across all single-thread tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2319 versus 1727, a 34.3% lead. PassMark Single Thread shows 3058 against 2865, a 6.7% advantage.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-9700K has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite fewer cores, the Ryzen's simultaneous multithreading gives it 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-9700K boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 boosts to 4.20 GHz. Both have a 3.60 GHz base clock.

Q: What is the overall benchmark percentile for each?

A: The Intel Core i7-9700K sits at the 74th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 5 5500 is at the 73rd percentile. Their average benchmark scores are close: 20271 for Intel versus 19593 for AMD.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is built on the Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne codename, fabricated on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It contains 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake architecture (Coffee Lake Refresh generation), manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 180.3 mm².

Cache configurations differ notably. The Ryzen 5 5500 has 512 KB of L2 cache per core and a 16 MB L3 cache. The Intel chip has 256 KB of L2 per core and a 12 MB shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core.

Threading technology separates them fundamentally. The AMD part uses simultaneous multithreading to deliver 12 threads from 6 cores. The Intel part has no hyper-threading, providing 8 threads from 8 cores. This explains why the Ryzen wins most multi-threaded benchmarks despite having fewer physical cores.

Memory bandwidth favors AMD: the Ryzen 5 5500 supports 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for the Intel part, though both use dual-channel DDR4. The Intel i7-9700K includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the Ryzen 5 5500 has no integrated graphics. Both use PCIe Gen 3, but the Intel specification lists 16 lanes (CPU only). The Ryzen 5 5500 uses the AMD Socket AM4, the Intel part uses Socket 1151.

Production status differs: the Ryzen 5 5500 is active, while the i7-9700K is end-of-life. The Ryzen launched on 2022-04-03, the Intel on 2018-10-18. Both have unlocked multipliers.

The Verdict

The data points decisively toward the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 for most users. It wins 17 of 19 head-to-head benchmarks, with many victories by substantial margins. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 6900 against 5139, a 34.3% advantage. The widest gap appears in PassMark Data Encryption, where AMD leads by 223.6% (14851 vs 4590).

Users who need maximum multi-core performance for rendering, compilation, or content creation should choose the Ryzen 5 5500. Its 12 threads versus 8 give it a structural advantage in heavily parallel workloads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 16429 versus 12238 confirms this.

The Intel Core i7-9700K retains relevance only for narrow niches. Its 4.90 GHz boost clock and wins in extended instruction processing and random string sorting suggest it handles specific instruction sets and certain sorting algorithms slightly better. However, these two victories are small (4.7% and 3.9%), while AMD's wins range from 1.8% to 223.6%.

The percentile rankings are close (73rd for AMD, 74th for Intel), but the average benchmark score difference of 678 points in Intel's favor (20271 vs 19593) is misleading. That average includes the i7's two specialty wins and its many smaller losses. The head-to-head deltas show AMD winning by double digits in 8 of 19 tests, while Intel's largest win is only 4.7%.

For a desktop user, the Ryzen 5 5500 is the superior choice. The Intel part, while still holding a 74th percentile ranking, is end-of-life and loses most direct comparisons. The Ryzen's 12 threads provide better future-proofing for multithreaded software, and its 65 W TDP versus 95 W represents lower power draw.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | Intel Core i7-9700K |

|-------|------------------|---------------------|

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 95 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Cezanne | Coffee Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 10,700 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 180 mm² | 180.3 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2022-04-03 | 2018-10-18 |

| Launch MSRP | $159 | $385 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1656 versus 1233, a 34.3% lead. The single-core result shows the same pattern: 233 against 174, a 33.9% advantage. Cinebench R20 repeats this with 6900 versus 5139 (34.3% multi-core) and 973 versus 725 (34.2% single-core). Cinebench R23 shows 16429 against 12238 (34.2%) and 2319 versus 1727 (34.3%).

Geekbench results are closer but still favor AMD. The Ryzen 5 5500 scores 7976 versus 7799 in multi-core, a 2.3% lead, and 1730 versus 1639 in single-core, a 5.6% advantage.

PassMark tests reveal the biggest disparities. Data Encryption shows AMD at 14851 against Intel's 4590, a massive 223.6% difference. Integer Math favors AMD by 57% (65001 vs 41411). Data Compression shows an 18% lead (245533 vs 208062). Multi-thread performance gives AMD a 34.1% edge (19330 vs 14414).

The Intel Core i7-9700K's wins are narrow. In Extended Instructions, it leads 18088 to 17236, a 4.7% margin. Random String Sorting shows 25756 versus 24757, a 3.9% advantage.

Other PassMark tests favor AMD by smaller margins: Find Prime Numbers (56 vs 52, 7.7%), Floating Point Math (36815 vs 35498, 3.7%), Physics (896 vs 880, 1.8%), and Single Thread (3058 vs 2865, 6.7%).

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 wins in:

• All Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23), both single and multi-core, with leads between 33.9% and 34.3%. This makes it the clear choice for rendering workloads that use these benchmarks.
• Geekbench single and multi-core, though by smaller margins (5.6% and 2.3%).
• PassMark Data Encryption by an enormous 223.6%, indicating strong cryptographic performance.
• PassMark Integer Math by 57%, suggesting better general arithmetic throughput.
• PassMark Data Compression by 18%, helping with file archiving and compression tasks.
• PassMark Multi-thread by 34.1%, confirming its advantage in parallel workloads.
• PassMark Floating Point Math (3.7%), Physics (1.8%), Find Prime Numbers (7.7%), and Single Thread (6.7%).

Intel Core i7-9700K wins in:

• PassMark Extended Instructions by 4.7%, indicating slightly better handling of specialized instruction sets.
• PassMark Random String Sorting by 3.9%, useful for specific sorting algorithms.

The overall pattern is clear: the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is the stronger processor in 17 of 19 tests, with its largest advantages in encryption, integer math, and all Cinebench variants. The Intel part's two wins are narrow and niche. Users who prioritize Cinebench-style rendering, data encryption, or integer-heavy workloads should pick AMD. Those who need the specific extended instruction handling or random string sorting performance might consider Intel, but the margins are small and the overall benchmark record strongly favors the Ryzen 5 5500.