AMD Ryzen 9 7900 vs Intel Core i5-8500 Processor

The Intel Core i5-8500 Processor is the faster processor, scoring 83/100 on our gaming benchmark versus 82/100 for the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 — roughly 1% faster. That said, the gap is small, so the cheaper option is often the smarter buy.

AMD

AMD Ryzen 9 7900

82
Gaming score / 100
Check AMD Ryzen 9 7900 price

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Winner

Intel Core i5-8500 Processor

83
Gaming score / 100
Check Intel Core i5-8500 Processor price

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Specs compared

SpecAMD Ryzen 9 7900Intel Core i5-8500 Processor
Gaming score82/10083/100
Cores / Threads12 / 246 / 6
Boost clock5.40 GHz4.10 GHz
TDP65 W65 W
SocketAM5-
MSRP$379.00-

AMD Ryzen 9 7900 vs Intel Core i5-8500 Processor: which should you buy?

The Intel Core i5-8500 Processor is the faster processor, scoring 83/100 on our gaming benchmark versus 82/100 for the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 — roughly 1% faster. That said, the gap is small, so the cheaper option is often the smarter buy. For your specific games and resolution, run both through our comparison tool, check pairing with the bottleneck calculator, or see where each lands on the tier list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 better than the Intel Core i5-8500 Processor?
The Intel Core i5-8500 Processor is faster for gaming, scoring 83/100 versus 82/100 for the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (about 1% faster).

Should I buy the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 or the Intel Core i5-8500 Processor?
For raw gaming performance, choose the Intel Core i5-8500 Processor. If it costs notably more for only a small gain, the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 can be the better value. Check current prices before deciding.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.