Presumably the most affordable Zen 5 processor, Ryzen 5 9600X should prove popular among budget-conscious builders. Price is one thing, but performance will ultimately determine the CPU’s value in the eyes of most prospective buyers. For those anxiously waiting to see how the AMD chip stacks up, newly leaked benchmarks should provide relief.
Ryzen 5 9600X mirrors its predecessor, Ryzen 5 7600X, in many respects, including core and thread count. However, thanks to Zen 5 architectural improvements, this AMD hexacore processor apparently trades blows with today’s best CPUs. If recent Cinebench R23 results hold true, its single-core performance even gives Intel flagships a run for their money.
X user 9550pro shared images of Cinebench R23 and CPU-Z running on what appears to be a Ryzen 5 9600X. Of the two benchmarks, the former captures my attention most. Comparing these single/multi-core scores with our own Ryzen 5 7600X data, we’re looking at a sizeable bump. Without getting too ahead of ourselves, one of these numbers puts us in Core i9-13900K territory.
Ryzen 5 9600X only boosts to 5.3GHz out of the box, making for a 100MHz lead over Ryzen 5 7600X. Nonetheless, the underlying performance improvements its Zen 5 cores bring see it power ahead when it comes to single-core scores. Coming in at 2,160, it boasts an 11% uplift compared to its predecessor. If this wasn’t impressive enough, it clears Core i7-13700K by over 100 points and is just 88 points behind Core i9-13900K.
AMD previously claimed Ryzen 5 9600X would give Core i5-14600K a hard time. With the above in mind, the company may have been exercising a touch of modesty. There are sadly no temperature measurements accompanying these benchmarks, but we’re confident Ryzen 9000 thermal improvements are in play here too.
With just six cores at its disposal, Ryzen 5 9600X naturally doesn’t top the multi-core charts with its 16,205 score. It does manage a welcome but somewhat middling 6% lead over Ryzen 5 7600X, though. This sees it beat Core i5-13400F and Core i9-10900K by our measurements, falling just shy of Core i5-12600K. Consider our appetites suitably whetted for the likes of Ryzen 7 9700X and 9 9950X.
While it’s unfortunate that AMD delayed its Ryzen 9000 series, it looks as if the processors will be worth the wait all the same. Don’t forget to check in for when our Ryzen 9000 reviews drop. Until then, though, be sure to give our Ryzen 9 7950X review a read to reacquaint yourself with the best Team Red has to offer today.