Ryzen 5 5500 vs Ryzen 9 9950X

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 ≈ ₹10,300 today · 2022 Buy now

≈61% higher est. score

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X ≈ ₹59,200 today · 2024 Buy now

Verdict: Ryzen 9 9950X scores about 61% higher than Ryzen 5 5500 in our estimated gaming score; real results depend on the game, resolution and settings. At today's approximate prices, Ryzen 5 5500 gives more estimated performance for the money. They use different platforms (AM4 with DDR4 vs AM5 with DDR5), so the motherboard and memory differ too.

Performance (estimate)

Est. gaming score

Est. multi-core score

100

Est. single-core score

100

Est. value: gaming score per ₹10,000 today

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Ryzen 5 5500 Ryzen 9 9950X

These are PC-Build's own estimates worked out from the specifications, not official AMD or Intel benchmarks and not frame rates. The real gap depends on the game, your graphics card, the resolution and the settings. How the scores work

Why pick Ryzen 5 5500

105 W lower rated TDP (65 W vs 170 W)
Comes with a cooler (Wraith Stealth); Ryzen 9 9950X needs one bought separately
About ₹48,900 cheaper today

Why pick Ryzen 9 9950X

61% higher estimated gaming score
10 more cores (16 vs 6)
Has integrated graphics: works without a graphics card

Specifications

	Ryzen 5 5500	Ryzen 9 9950X
Architecture	Zen 3	Zen 5
Code name	Cezanne	Granite Ridge
Process	TSMC 7 nm	TSMC 4 nm
Cores	6	16
Threads	12	32
Boost clock	4.2 GHz	5.7 GHz
Base clock	3.6 GHz	4.3 GHz
L2 cache	3 MB	16 MB
L3 cache	16 MB	64 MB
TDP (rated)	65 W	170 W
Socket	AM4	AM5
Memory	DDR4	DDR5
Max memory speed	DDR4-3200	DDR5-5600
PCIe	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0
Overclocking	Unlocked	Unlocked
Cooler in the box	Wraith Stealth	Not included
Integrated graphics	—	Radeon Graphics (2 CU)
Released	2022-04-04	2024-08-15
Price today (≈)	₹10,300	₹59,200

FAQ

Is Ryzen 5 5500 better than Ryzen 9 9950X?

Ryzen 9 9950X scores about 61% higher than Ryzen 5 5500 in our estimated gaming score; real results depend on the game, resolution and settings. At today's approximate prices, Ryzen 5 5500 gives more estimated performance for the money. They use different platforms (AM4 with DDR4 vs AM5 with DDR5), so the motherboard and memory differ too.

Which uses less power, Ryzen 5 5500 or Ryzen 9 9950X?

Ryzen 5 5500 is rated at 65 W versus 170 W for Ryzen 9 9950X.

Which is better value, Ryzen 5 5500 or Ryzen 9 9950X?

Going by today's prices (shown at the top of this page in your currency), Ryzen 5 5500 gives more estimated performance for the money than Ryzen 9 9950X. Prices change daily, so check the shop before you buy.

Do Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 9 9950X use the same motherboard?

No. Ryzen 5 5500 uses AM4 with DDR4 memory and Ryzen 9 9950X uses AM5 with DDR5 memory. Moving from one to the other means a new motherboard and new RAM.