In a world of uber-passionate gamers, the competition between the best processors in town seems to be a never-ending debate. The smallest of features becomes a deciding factor on popularity and acceptance by the users. With that said, AMD has managed to launch the best of its innovations, especially with the Ryzen line of models.
Today, we are going to discuss two of the ultimate best computer brains that AMD has offered its users. The competition is between Ryzen 9 5950x and Ryzen 7 5800x. If you are puzzled about which one to pick, this is probably the right place to see past the roadblock. Keep scrolling to know about them in detail, that would help you make the most informed choice.
The Ryzen 9 5950X comes with 16 cores and 32 threads while the Ryzen 7 5800X has 8 cores and 16 threads. So, the Ryzen 9 5950X is going to be much more powerful when it comes to performance. But, the 5950X is definitely overkilled for most users. In simple words, if you are not a hardcore gamer or anybody with huge performance requirements, you are good to stay with the 5800X.
Let’s talk some more about it.
Theoretical Specifications (Comparison)
| Specification | Ryzen 9 5950x | Ryzen 7 5800x |
| CPU Generation | 4th Generation | 4th Generation |
| Cores/Threads | 16/32 | 8/16 |
| Base Clock/Boost Clock | 3.4/4.9 GHz | 3.8/4.7 GHz |
| Cache (L1/L2/L3) | 64KB/512KB/32MB | 64KB/512KB/32MB |
| Overclocking | Available | Available |
| PCle Version | PCle 4.0 | PCle 4.0 |
| Memory Support | DDR4 (up to 3200 MHz) | DDR4 (up to 3200 MHz) |
| Cooling Solution | Not inbuilt | Not inbuilt |
| Integrated Graphics Card | No | No |
When talking about the AMD Ryzen 9 5950x and Ryzen 7 5800x processors, both are among the best of the lot the company has to offer. In terms of basic features, both are equipped with the perfect functionalities for your PC.
The Ryzen 9 5950x aces its competitor slightly by recording more cores and threads. The base and boost clock speeds are almost similar for both, and so is the CPU generation. Both these processors boast excellent memory support with a maximum of 3200 MHz. You can easily overclock both CPUs, which is another major plus. Again, the cache space is also similar for both the CPUs in question.
Also, both these have the same PCle version 4.0. The only drawbacks that might leave you thinking are the absence of an integrated graphics card and an inbuilt cooling solution. On the brighter side, you can always use a cooler with either of the two, so that answers your doubts. All in all, both processors are quite similar in terms of speed and performance. The only significant difference you can pinpoint is the affordability and worthiness of both of them.
Benchmark Scores
| Parameter | Ryzen 9 5950x | Ryzen 7 5800x |
| CPU Mark Score | 46200 | 28344 |
| Single-Core Score | 1686 | 1671 |
| Multi-Core Score | 16530 | 10337 |
| Single-Thread Rating | 3498 | 3483 |
So, it’s an absolute no-brainer that the Ryzen 9 5950x immensely outdoes the Ryzen 7 5800x by recording an over-the-top CPU mark score of 46,200, as compared to a considerably low for the latter.
Both fare equally well in terms of the single-core score and single-thread rating. The striking difference arises when we analyze the multi-core score, where the Ryzen 9 5950x steals the game with a fantastic figure of 16,530. Otherwise, both have recorded great figures.
Cinebench Scores Comparison
To give you the context, Cinebench is CPU benchmarking software. It is used to calculate any CPU’s single-core and multi-core performance. These are three different versions of Cinebench i.e. R15, R20, and R23. R23 is the latest version with much more effective operation than the older version (R15 and R20)
- Multi-Core-Score. This score simply tells you the CPU’s performance in multitasking. Rendering, encoding, and most of the productivity software will make use of multi-cores.
- Single-Core Score. As the name suggests, this score determines the performance capability of a single CPU. This score is good to determine your CPU’s effectiveness in gaming and the overall snappiness in any operation.
| Cinebench Benchmark | AMD Ryzen 9 5950X | AMD Ryzen 7 5800X |
|---|---|---|
| Cinebench R23 (Single Core) | 1684 | 1596 |
| Cinebench R23 (Multi Core) | 28782 | 15228 |
| Cinebench R20 (Single Core) | 649 | 629 |
| Cinebench R20 (Multi Core) | 10435 | 6046 |
| Cinebench R15 (Single Core) | 276 | 268 |
| Cinebench R15 (Multi Core) | 4563 | 2607 |
Cooling
Both of these CPUs come with a TDP of 105W. So, you can easily cool them down using a good tower air cooler. They don’t come with boxed coolers. I would suggest going for a 240mm AIO if you are going to play games or do any CPU-intensive tasks.
With an air-cooler, especially if your PC case has poor cooling, you may face heating issues with both. So, installing an AIO is definitely a good idea for these high-end CPUs.
Which One Is Good For Gaming?
When it comes to Ryzen 9 5950x vs Ryzen 7 5800x, It is extremely difficult to pinpoint one of these processors if you are a gaming enthusiast. The reason is, that both are neck-to-neck when it comes to gaming performance. The functionalities will give you the freedom to play games stress-free with either of the two. If you look at this gaming benchmark video comparison, you will see that both of them are offering almost similar framerates.
The only probable advantage that the Ryzen 9 5950x might have over the Ryzen 7 5800x is the double number of cores it offers. Although your gaming speed won’t be influenced by this difference, you may find it a plus for your framerate.
On the contrary, the latter consumes a drastically lower amount of energy than its competitor. To top it all off, we can conclude that both are quite efficient gaming processors. The ultimate decision scales down to the budget-friendliness of the CPUs.
Which One Is Good For Productivity?
The Ryzen 9 5950x excels in performance with a gigantic number of cores and threads, paired with a huge cache space. These simple yet strong features take it to the next level where it easily outshines its competitor.
Speaking about the base and boost clock speeds, the processors fare amazingly well. Another useful feature is that both CPUs allow the user overclocking. On the other hand, neither of the two possess inbuilt coolers, so they require you to buy a cooler separately for use. Similarly, neither comes with an integrated graphics card. Thus the disadvantages are quite the same.
If you are a professional gamer who needs to be prim and proper with the speed and minute features like the threads, the Ryzen 9 5950x is the buy for you. But not to forget, you might get hesitant once you see its price. If price is not an issue for you, don’t think much and buy it right away.
Best Price to Performance value
You can head on to check out the exact price of both the Ryzen processors in question. But we can vouch that you will be surprised to know the price of the 9 5950x model. Yes, it is unnecessarily expensive, and even more for average gaming enthusiasts.
Since the features are more or less the same, we would not suggest you spend illogically on the more expensive processor. But of course, if the double number of cores and other features can successfully convince you, there’s no looking back. But for average users, even the cheaper one would work equally well.
You can always go for the Ryzen 9 5950x model if you think you could benefit from its huge number of cores, especially for your framerate. Also, the benchmark scores don’t fail to paint an impressive opinion about it. Thus, it all scales down to how much you are willing to invest in a processor.
Final verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
Comparing two extremely similar devices in terms of compatibility and basic features is a tough job. For an average user, it would be indifferent to choose any one of the two. Money is the parameter that would play a key role in making a decision. It largely depends on your purpose in getting a processor.
For users who got no budget constraints, especially the hard-core professional gamers, who are not as tight with their pockets, we suggest the Ryzen 9 5950x any day. For the average user, if productivity is your main jam with some occasional and casual gaming in your leisure hours, Ryzen 7 5800x is the best bank for your buck!
Let me know what you think about it!
I am Anshul Rana, an experienced author specializing in PC gear reviews and Windows 10 software tutorials. With a strong passion for technology and an in-depth understanding of the PC industry, I provide insightful and detailed analyses of computer peripherals, gaming gear, and software solutions. My writing style is concise yet informative, making complex topics accessible to both beginners and advanced users. Through my reviews and tutorials, I aim to offer valuable guidance, helping readers make informed decisions to enhance their PC experience and explore the vast possibilities of Windows 10 software.
