AMD Ryzen 9 7900X vs Intel Core i5-8500 Processor

The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is the faster processor, scoring 85/100 on our gaming benchmark versus 83/100 for the Intel Core i5-8500 Processor — roughly 2% faster. That said, the gap is small, so the cheaper option is often the smarter buy.

Winner

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X

85
Gaming score / 100
Check AMD Ryzen 9 7900X price

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Intel

Intel Core i5-8500 Processor

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

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Specs compared

SpecAMD Ryzen 9 7900XIntel Core i5-8500 Processor
Gaming score85/10083/100
Cores / Threads12 / 246 / 6
Boost clock5.60 GHz4.10 GHz
TDP170 W65 W
SocketAM5-
MSRP$399.00-

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

The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is the faster processor, scoring 85/100 on our gaming benchmark versus 83/100 for the Intel Core i5-8500 Processor — roughly 2% 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 7900X better than the Intel Core i5-8500 Processor?
The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is faster for gaming, scoring 85/100 versus 83/100 for the Intel Core i5-8500 Processor (about 2% faster).

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

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