Ryzen 9 7950X Vs Ryzen 9 5950X: Worth Upgrading?

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Uzair Qureshi

At Tech4Gamers, I proudly wear the title of Comparisons Specialist. Focused on CPUs and GPUs, I bring forth a wealth of hands-on experience and a keen eye for detail to provide our audience with the latest insights and analyses.

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Pros & Cons

Comparison Table

Architectural Difference

• Architecture: The Ryzen 9 7950X is based on AMD’s latest Zen 4 architecture, while the Ryzen 9 5950X is based on AMD’s previous Zen 3 architecture.
• CPU Socket: The Ryzen 9 7950X incorporates the AM5 (LGA1718), containing 1718 connection pins, while the Ryzen 9 5950X integrates the AM4 socket having 1331 pins.
• Process Node: Looking at the design specs, the Ryzen 9 7950X is fabricated using an advanced 5nm node at TSMC, while the Ryzen 9 5950X is made employing a 7nm process.
• Clock Speed: The Ryzen 9 7950X has a faster base clock of 4.5 GHz and a boost clock of up to 5.7 GHz compared to the Ryzen 9 5950X, whose base clock is 3.4 GHz and the boost clock is up to 4.9 GHz.
• TDP: The Ryzen 9 5950X has a 105W max TDP, while the Ryzen 9 7950X boasts a higher 170W TDP, enabling it to push performance boundaries.
• Memory: The Ryzen 9 7950X supports DDR5-5200MHz memory, while the Ryzen 9 5950X supports a maximum of 128GB of DDR4-3200MHz memory.

The Ryzen 9 7950X and Ryzen 9 5950X are both high-performance processors from AMD, with the 7950X  from the latest generation with upgraded features, while the 5950X has top-tier specs from the Ryzen 5000 series. In this comparison, we will analyze the specs and architectural upgrades from the 5950X to the 7950X and test their performance in taxing games.

Gaming Benchmarks

One effective way to compare two processors is through performance tests. Here, we will analyze the benchmarks of Ryzen 9 7950X vs Ryzen 9 5950X for 6 taxing games we played at 1080p resolution. The specifications of our testing system are listed below.

Test Bench

• OS: Windows 11
• GPU: GIGABYTE RTX 4090 Gaming OC 24G
• MOBO(AM5): MSI B650M Project Zero Motherboard
• MOBO(AM4): Gigabyte X570 Aorus Pro Wifi
• RAM(AM5): G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32GB DDR5-6600 CL34
• RAM(AM4): Patriot Viper LED DDR4-3600 16GB RAM
• SSD: Teamgroup T-Force Z540 2TB Gen5 NVMe SSD
• PSU: ENERMAX REVOLUTION D.F. X 1050W
• COOLER: XIGMATEK Aurora 360 Cooler

Microsoft Flight Simulator

• Starting our benchmarks with Microsoft Flight Simulator, we saw the Ryzen 9 7950X making a brilliant 18.9% performance lead by delivering a 104 FPS average compared to the Ryzen 9 5950X’s 87 FPS.
• Looking at the low 1% frame rates, the Ryzen 9 7950X was about 3 FPS ahead of the Ryzen 9 5950X. The Ryzen Ryzen 9 7950X delivered 70 FPS while the 5950X generated 67 FPS.

Halo Infinite

• During our Halo Infinite session, the Ryzen 9 7950X outperformed the Ryzen 9 5950X by 16.5%, achieving an average frame rate of 134 FPS compared to the latter’s 115 FPS.
• The Ryzen 9 7950X outperformed the Ryzen 9 5950X by 5 FPS at low 1% frame rates, achieving 82 FPS compared to the 5950X’s 77 FPS.

Fortnite

• The Ryzen 9 7950X demonstrated superior performance in Fortnite, leading by 8.5% with an average of 345 FPS, compared to the Ryzen 9 5950X’s 318 FPS.
• At low 1% frame rates, the Ryzen 9 5950X led the Ryzen 9 7950X by 12 FPS during this gameplay, delivering 219 FPS versus 207 FPS.

Cyberpunk 2077

• In Cyberpunk 2077, the Ryzen 9 7950X beat the Ryzen 9 5950X by delivering a 3.3% performance boost, averaging 156 FPS versus 151 FPS, respectively.
• The Ryzen 9 7950X achieved 104 FPS at low 1% performance in this game, surpassing the Ryzen 9 5950X by 5 FPS, which scored 99 FPS.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• The Ryzen 9 7950X exhibited an exceptional performance boost of 11.7% in RDR 2, leading with an average of 182 FPS, compared to the Ryzen 9 5950X’s 163 FPS.
• Regarding low 1% performance, the Ryzen 9 7950X demonstrated an average lead of 8 FPS over the Ryzen 9 5950X, scoring 151 FPS compared to 143 FPS.

Watch Dogs Legion

• In our last Watch Dogs Legion session, the Ryzen 9 7950X delivered a remarkable 23.9% performance lead, achieving an average of 150 FPS compared to the Ryzen 9 5950X’s 122 FPS.
• The Ryzen 9 7950X’s low 1% frame rate performance was 26 FPS higher than the Ryzen 9 5950X, with scores of 115 FPS and 89 FPS, respectively.

Overall Gaming Performance

During our gaming evaluations, the Ryzen 9 7950X demonstrates remarkable prowess, surpassing the Ryzen 9 5950X by an impressive 12.3% lead in average frame rate. Additionally, in terms of low 1% performance, the Ryzen 9 7950X retains its superiority, delivering approximately 5.0% better performance.

Power Efficiency

Our analysis shows that the Ryzen 9 5950X is very power efficient, with a big 89.2% advantage over the Ryzen 9 7950X. The Ryzen 9 5950X is also the leader in terms of performance for each unit of power it uses, giving better FPS efficiency compared to its power consumption.

Thermal Efficiency

During our testing, the Ryzen 9 5950X maintained noticeably lower operating temperatures than the Ryzen 9 7950X when running games at 1080p resolution. Based on our average temperature readings, we conclude that the Ryzen 9 5950X exhibited a 46.1% higher thermal efficiency than the Ryzen 9 7950X.

Price And Availability

AMD released the Ryzen 9 7950X at a $100 lower price than the previous top-tier Ryzen 9 5950X. Given the current market conditions, the Ryzen 9 5950X is priced about 44.0% lower compared to the Ryzen 9 7950X, primarily attributed to its older architecture.

Final Verdict: What Do We Recommend?

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X: The Ryzen 9 7950X is a high-performance, top-notch processor well suited for gaming at all resolutions up to 4K. It uses the latest AM5 socket and supports faster DDR5 memory. You may encounter overheating issues with this processor.

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X: The Ryzen 9 59500X is also a high performance processor excellent for 1080p and 1440p gaming. It employs an AM4 socket and supports only DDR4 memory. This processor is highly power-efficient and thermal-efficient.

To conclude the Ryzen 9 7950X vs Ryzen 9 5950X, we suggest the Ryzen 9 7950X for an exceptional gaming experience. For a more budget-friendly option with excellent operating efficiency, we recommend the Ryzen 9 5950X.

Uzair Qureshi

[Comparisons Specialist]

I’m a passionate computer hardware expert specializing in CPUs and GPUs. With a lifelong curiosity for hardware and extensive hands-on experience, I provide valuable insights, practical advice, and in-depth analysis on these components. Engaging with the hardware community, I exchange knowledge and stay at the forefront of technological advancements.

Get In Touch: uzair@tech4gamers.com