AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X in 2025: Is it worth buying the legendary processor today?

A relevant analysis for enthusiasts and budget builds


Key Features: Why is Zen 3 Still Relevant?

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, released in 2020, remains in demand even five years later. Its Zen 3 architecture (codename Vermeer) is built on a 7nm TSMC process, ensuring high energy efficiency.

- Cores and Threads: 12 cores / 24 threads — ideal for multitasking.

- Cache Memory: 64 MB L3 cache speeds up data processing in games and professional applications.

- TDP: 105 W — modest power consumption for such performance.

- Performance: In Geekbench 6 (2025) — 2174 points (single-core) and 11888 (multi-core). For comparison, the modern Ryzen 5 8600G scores ~2300/12500 but is more expensive ($250-300).

Key Features:

- Precision Boost 2 technology — automatic overclocking up to 4.8 GHz.

- PCIe 4.0 support — relevant for fast NVMe drives and GPUs like the RTX 4070 Ti.

Practical example: In 2025, the 5900X still handles rendering in Blender alongside the new Core i5-14600K, but falls short in energy efficiency compared to the Ryzen 7000 series.


Compatible Motherboards: Which One to Choose?

The AM4 socket is the main advantage of the 5900X. Even in 2025, there are many motherboards on the market that support this processor.

Chipset options:

- X570 — top option with PCIe 4.0 for two GPUs and drives (price: $120-200, for example, ASUS ROG Strix X570-E).

- B550 — optimal choice for most: PCIe 4.0 for GPU and one NVMe (price: $80-150, like the MSI B550 Tomahawk).

- A520 — budget boards without overclocking (from $60).

Features:

- Update BIOS to version AGESA 1.2.0.7 or later for compatibility.

- Avoid boards with weak VRM (e.g., ASRock A520M-HDV) — they won't reveal the potential of a 12-core CPU.


Memory: DDR4 vs. DDR5

The Ryzen 9 5900X supports only DDR4, which has become its main limitation in 2025.

- Recommended Modules: 2x16 GB DDR4-3600 with CL16 timings (e.g., G.Skill Trident Z Neo).

- Real Speed: The difference between DDR4-3600 and DDR5-6000 in games is 5-10%, but DDR4 is cheaper (16 GB — $50 vs. $80 for DDR5).

Tip: If you plan to upgrade to DDR5 in the future, the 5900X is not your best choice. But for current tasks, its memory will be more than sufficient.


Power Supply: How Many Watts Do You Need?

With a TDP of 105 W, the Ryzen 9 5900X is demanding in terms of stable power, especially when paired with a high-performance GPU.

- Minimum: 650 W (e.g., Corsair RM650x — $110).

- Optimal: 750-850 W for upgrading (NZXT C750 — $130).

- Certification: 80+ Gold or higher.

Example: With an RTX 4070 Super (220 W), the system consumes about 450 W under load. A 650 W PSU will handle it, but a 200 W buffer will extend its lifespan.


Pros and Cons: Weighing the Risks

Pros:

- Price: $300-350 compared to $450-500 for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

- Strong multi-threading for rendering and streaming.

- Broad compatibility with AM4 boards and DDR4.

Cons:

- No support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0.

- Lacks integrated graphics (a discrete GPU is required).

- Falls behind new CPUs in single-threaded tasks (e.g., Ryzen 5 8600G is 8-10% faster).


Usage Scenarios: Who is it Suitable For?

1. Gamers: In 2025, the 5900X can run Cyberpunk 2077 on Ultra (1080p) with an RTX 4070 at 90+ FPS.

2. Content Creators: Rendering in Premiere Pro on 12 cores is twice as fast compared to 6-core CPUs.

3. Streamers: Encoding via NVENC (NVIDIA) or x264 at medium settings without lag.

Limitation: For 4K editing with ProRes RAW, it’s better to opt for the Ryzen 9 7900X (DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 will expedite work with large files).


Comparison with Competitors

- Intel Core i7-13700K ($380): Better for single-threaded tasks (+15%), but more expensive and has a higher TDP (125 W).

- Ryzen 7 7700X ($320): Supports DDR5, but only 8 cores — a disadvantage in rendering.

- Apple M3 Pro (laptop, $1800): More powerful in terms of energy efficiency, but a closed ecosystem.

Conclusion: The 5900X wins against its competitors in terms of price/performance ratio for multi-threaded tasks.


Building Tips

1. Cooling: Use a cooler like the Noctua NH-D15 ($110) or the Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 ($120).

2. Case: At least 2 intake fans (e.g., Lian Li Lancool 216 — $100).

3. Storage: Samsung 980 Pro (PCIe 4.0) — do not overpay for PCIe 5.0, which the processor does not support.

Beginner’s mistake: Installing a weak cooler (e.g., Cooler Master Hyper 212) causes throttling under prolonged loads.


Conclusion: Who Should Buy the Ryzen 9 5900X in 2025?

This processor is ideal for:

- Budget Workstations: Video editing, 3D modeling, virtualization.

- Gamers with a discrete GPU: Maximal FPS in Full HD/QHD without overspending on DDR5.

- Upgrading Old PCs: Replacing a Ryzen 5 3600 on an AM4 board without changing the motherboard.

At a price of $300-350, it offers better value than new models, but keep in mind: in 2-3 years, you may need to switch to a platform with DDR5.

Final Verdict: If you are not chasing the top technologies of 2025, the Ryzen 9 5900X is a reliable and powerful option "here and now."

Basic

Label Name
AMD
Platform
Desktop
Launch Date
November 2020
Code Name
Vermeer

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
12
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
24
Basic Frequency
3.7GHz
Max Turbo Frequency
?
Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.
Up to 4.8GHz
L2 Cache
6MB
L3 Cache
64MB
Unlocked for Overclocking
?
AMD`s product warranty does not cover damages caused by overclocking, even when overclocking is enabled via AMD hardware and/or software. GD-26.
Yes
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
AM4
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
TSMC 7nm FinFET
TDP
105W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
90°C
PCI Express Version
?
PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.
PCIe 4.0

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
DDR4
Bus Speed
Up to 3200MT/s

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model
?
An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.
Discrete Graphics Card Required

Miscellaneous

OS Support
Windows 10 - 64-Bit Edition, RHEL x86 64-Bit, Ubuntu x86 64-Bit *Operating System (OS) support will vary by manufacturer.

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6
Single Core Score
2174
Geekbench 6
Multi Core Score
11888
Geekbench 5
Single Core Score
1565
Geekbench 5
Multi Core Score
10041
Passmark CPU
Single Core Score
3471
Passmark CPU
Multi Core Score
39214

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core
2256 +3.8%
1986 -8.6%
Geekbench 6 Multi Core
14047 +18.2%
12833 +7.9%
11069 -6.9%
10237 -13.9%
Geekbench 5 Single Core
1684 +7.6%
1623 +3.7%
1487 -5%
1424 -9%
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
11828 +17.8%
10786 +7.4%
9394 -6.4%
8790 -12.5%
Passmark CPU Single Core
3648 +5.1%
3544 +2.1%
3394 -2.2%
3321 -4.3%
Passmark CPU Multi Core
46747 +19.2%
43999 +12.2%
35626 -9.1%