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AMD Ryzen 9 7900 vs AMD Ryzen 9 7950X: Comparison
Ryzen 9 7900 vs Ryzen 9 7950X total cores compared
These two are close on paper, and total cores is the only measure that separates them at all: Ryzen 9 7900 12 against Ryzen 9 7950X 16. The benchmark result agrees. Blender Cycles (CPU) puts Ryzen 9 7950X 25% ahead, 551 against 411 over 246 runs. There is a split on release year as well, 2023 on the Ryzen 9 7900 versus 2022 on the Ryzen 9 7950X. Base power is not the same on both, 65 W on the Ryzen 9 7900 versus 170 W on the Ryzen 9 7950X.
Which should you buy, Ryzen 9 7900 or Ryzen 9 7950X?
The Ryzen 9 7900 is the one to take for mainstream desktops and everyday productivity, though it is the wrong buy for competitive gaming rigs and heavy content creation. The Ryzen 9 7950X suits enthusiast desktops and streaming and gaming, though it is not built for budget builds and small form factor low-power systems. Our rating of the Ryzen 9 7900 (7.9/10): the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 is a well-rounded mainstream desktop chip that covers everyday computing and light gaming without a premium price tag. Our rating of the Ryzen 9 7950X (8.6/10): the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is a strong all-rounder for enthusiasts who want top clock speeds for both gaming and productivity.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Efficiency cores, l3 cache, integrated graphics, form factor and market segment read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 3 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Ryzen 9 7900 and Ryzen 9 7950X differ on performance cores?
Yes. Performance Cores reads 12 on the Ryzen 9 7900 versus 16 on the Ryzen 9 7950X.
Is the Microarchitecture the same on the Ryzen 9 7900 and Ryzen 9 7950X?
It is. Both are listed at Zen 4, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- Desktop
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- Raphael
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- Raphael
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- 2023
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- 2022
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- 65 W
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- 170 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CUs, RDNA 2)
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- AMD Radeon Graphics
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- Zen 4 (7000 series)
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- Zen 4 (7000 series)
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- AM5 (LGA 1718)
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- AM5
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- 5 nm
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- 5 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- 12
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- 16Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- 12
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- 16Best
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- 0
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- 0
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- 24
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- 32Best
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- Yes
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- 3.8 GHz
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- 4.5 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- 4.9 GHz
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- 5.7 GHz
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- 64 MB
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- 64 MB
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- 65 W
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- 170 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- DDR5
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- DDR5
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- Yes
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- Yes
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- 411-25%
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- 551Best
Blender 4.5, Blender Open Data (CC0). Median of monster + junkshop + classroom, combined samples/min.
Renders a 3D scene using every core. Shows speed for 3D and rendering work, not gaming.
Which one should you pick?
Choose 7900 if you want the higher L3 cache (64 MB vs 64 MB).
Choose 7950X if you want the higher blender cycles (CPU) (551 vs 411).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 7900 | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X |
|---|---|---|
| Newegg | View on Newegg | $699.00 View on Newegg |
| Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 7900
7.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The AMD Ryzen 9 7900 is a well-rounded mainstream desktop chip that covers everyday computing and light gaming without a premium price tag.
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
8.6 / 10 Expert Rating
The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is a strong all-rounder for enthusiasts who want top clock speeds for both gaming and productivity.