With astronomical single-core gains and lower power than Intel's 14th Gen, AMD has an affordable option for anyone running outdated hardware.
Windows Central Verdict *****
In a masterclass of performance-per-watt efficiency, AMD offers incredible single-core performance scores that beat its intended 14600K rival and even challenge the 14700K. However, generational multi-core bumps are so minor that anyone running Ryzen 7000 chips or Intel 13th to 14th Gen won't see any real benefits. The 9600X is for entry-level builders starting with AM5, whether upgrading from much older platforms or starting from scratch; and even then, in-house competitors like the 7700X and 7800X3D will be more tempting to some crowds.
Pros
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+Fantastic single-core performance rivals Intel's 125W chips
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+Lower MSRP than previous-gen 7600X with more power efficiency
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+Almost matches the Ryzen 7 7800X3D gaming powerhouse CPU
Cons
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-Beaten by AMD's similarly priced Ryzen 7700X
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-Generational multi-core boost isn't enough to compete with Intel's cheaper 13th Gen Core i5
AMD's Ryzen 5 5600X was one of my all-time favorite processors, thanks to an astronomically perfect balance of performance and price, even if I did spring a little extra cash for the 5800X in my desktop.
Nevertheless, any successor has a mountain to climb to receive the same praise as its 5000 Series precursor. Ryzen chips have always been a go-to pick for custom builders on a budget, and the -X range targets enthusiast gamers, with the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X opening as the entry-level chip in the new Ryzen 9000 Series.
Can it stand as the new hot pick for budding PC gamers looking to enter the modern age of AM5 motherboards with everything AMD's Zen 5 architecture can offer, or is it outshined by its slightly beefier Ryzen 7 9700X sibling and even AMD's previous-gen chips? Here's what I found in my testing.
This review was made possible by a review sample provided by AMD. The company did not see the contents of the review before publishing. Some extra benchmark results (mainly for Intel Core CPUs) come from public databases and third-party sources, including CPU Monkey.
Ryzen 5 9600X: Price, availability, and specs
AMD dropped its MSRP this year, but you'll still need to spring for an aftermarket CPU cooler.
(Image credit: Ben Wilson | Windows Central)
AMD will offer the Ryzen 5 9600X through major third-party storefronts, like Newegg and Best Buy, for a $279 MSRP from Thursday, August 8, 2024 — $20 cheaper than the previous-gen Ryzen 5 7600X and the 5600X before it.
The entry-level 9600X also sees AMD returning to a 65W base TDP, just like the Ryzen 5 5600X, after which it temporarily climbed to 105W for the 7600X. The base clock is 3.9GHz, higher than its mid-range sibling, the Ryzen 7 9700X, while the max turbo clock raises slightly this generation to 5.4GHz.
Core/thread count and L3 cache count remain the same at 6c/12t, meaning AMD has another chance to showcase performance-per-watt improvements with its 4nm manufacturing process and Zen 5 architecture within the new Ryzen 9000 Series.
CPU | Cores / Threads | Max clock | L3 | Base TDP | MSRP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | 6/12 | 5.4 GHz | 32 MB | 65 W | $279 |
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X | 6/12 | 5.3 GHz | 32 MB | 105 W | $299 |
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | 6/12 | 4.6 GHz | 32 MB | 65 W | $299 |
AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | 6/12 | 4.4 GHz | 32 MB | 95 W | $249 |
AMD doesn't include a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) for local AI processing on the Ryzen 9000 chips but has improved LLM performance overall with an 'enhanced' Advanced Vector Extensions 512 (AVX-512) datapath. Otherwise, AMD's recently launched Ryzen AI 300 Series mobile chips focus on generative AI in laptops, like the ASUS Zenbook S 16 (UM5606) that "challenges Snapdragon X and stomps Intel Meteor Lake."
For those looking into AI-specific workloads or entry-level builds, AMD's Ryzen 8000G Series will be more appropriate, including the previously reviewed Ryzen 7 8700G, which features stronger integrated graphics than the dual-core Radeon chiplet included in the Ryzen 5 9600X, clocked at 2.2GHz. Whichever way you go, DDR5 RAM remains mandatory with AM5 sockets, but the Ryzen 9000 Series supports PCIe 5.0 expansion slots.
Recommended hardware
AMD's plate design is still an enemy of thermal paste cleanliness, but AM5 is at least supported until 2027.
(Image credit: Ben Wilson | Windows Central)
AMD recommends a tower air cooler for the Ryzen 5 9600X and the upcoming 800 Series of AM5 socket motherboards, including X870 and X870E chipsets. While the former supports overclocked DDR5 memory with speeds up to 8000MT/s and above, AMD had previously provided a sample of G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6400 RAM and still encouraged an AUTO:1:1 DDR5-6000 EXPO profile to stay in the Ryzen performance "sweet spot."
Ryzen 5 9600X: Multi core performance
Geekbench 6 tests the burst performance capability of CPUs.
(Image credit: Windows Central | CPU Monkey)
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