# AMD Ryzen 9 9900X Desktop CPU: AMD Also called amd ryzen 9 9900x, ryzen 9 9900x, 9900x, ryzen-9-9900x AMD, Desktop CPU, Zen 5 AMD Ryzen 9 desktop processor on Zen 5, with 12 cores and 24 threads and 12288 KB L2, 64 MB L3 at 120 W TDP on a 4nm process addressing up to 256 GB and AMD Radeon Graphics. ## What you need to know Still a capable Ryzen 9 desktop chip. AMD Ryzen 9 9900X launched in June 3, 2024., It has 12 cores and 24 threads on Zen 5, dropping into the AM5 socket. It is no longer the newest SKU in every store, but the chip is still useful when the rest of the PC keeps up. - **Still good?**: Yes, for most work this class is sold for **Product age**: 2 years old **Upgrade pressure**: Low Feex says Old is not the same as bad. If the GPU is the bottleneck, swapping this CPU is one of the more expensive ways to learn that lesson. ## What this hardware means today Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate. - **Performance today**: **Excellent.** Excellent for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up. **Product age 2 years old**: **Previous generation.** Launched June 3, 2024. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself. **Support status **: **Supported.** Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor. **Upgrade pressure **: **Low.** Upgrade pressure is low unless you need a different platform feature. ## Where does it sit? Zen 5 sits on AMD's recent Zen desktop and laptop timeline. Later chips keep the brand and change the core. Zen 2 Zen 3 Zen 4 Zen 5 ## Performance context These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins. ### Gaming: Very Good Plenty for current games when the GPU is the limit, which it often is. ### Productivity: Excellent 12 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class. ### Multithreaded workloads: Very Good 24 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts. ### General use: Excellent Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first. ### Efficiency: Good Rated 120 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler. ## Should you upgrade? Probably not if this chip already matches your work. ### Upgrade makes more sense if - Your workload is strongly CPU limited - You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features - You need substantially more multicore performance - You need newer connectivity that your current board cannot offer ### Upgrade makes less sense if - The GPU is the real bottleneck - Current applications are already responsive - The CPU rarely limits your workload ## Specifications Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted. ### Processor AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is built on Zen 5 using a 4nm process at TSMC. | Manufacturer | AMD | | --------------------- | ----------------- | | Family | Ryzen 9 | | Architecture | Zen 5 | | Codename | Granite Ridge | | Generation | Ryzen 9000 Series | | Manufacturing process | 4nm | | Foundry | TSMC | | Segment | Desktop | ### Cores and threads AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has 12 cores and 24 threads. | Cores | 12 | | ------- | -- | | P-cores | 12 | | Threads | 24 | ### Clock speeds Base clock is 4.4 GHz. Boost reaches 5.6 GHz. | Base frequency | 4.4 GHz | | ------------------- | ------- | | Max boost | 5.6 GHz | | Unlocked multiplier | Yes | ### Cache Cache on this sheet is 64 MB L3. | L2 cache | 12288 KB | | ----------- | -------- | | L3 cache | 64 MB | | Total cache | 76 MB | ### Memory AMD Ryzen 9 9900X addresses 256 GB across 2 memory channels. | Supported types | DDR5 | | ---------------- | --------- | | Max capacity | 256 GB | | Channels | 2 | | Max memory speed | 5600 MT/s | ### Package and power AMD Ryzen 9 9900X uses the AM5 socket and a 120 W TDP. | Socket | AM5 | | ------ | ---------------------- | | TDP | 120 W | | PCIe | Revision 5.0, 28 lanes | ### Integrated graphics AMD Ryzen 9 9900X includes AMD Radeon Graphics. | Integrated graphics | AMD Radeon Graphics | | ------------------- | ------------------- | ### Market AMD Ryzen 9 9900X launched June 3, 2024. | Launch date | June 3, 2024 | | ----------- | ------------ | | Model | 9900X | ### Features AMD Ryzen 9 9900X records 38 instruction sets on this sheet. | Instruction sets | AES-NIAVX-512AVX2AVXAVX-VNNIFMASHAVAESx86-64-v464-bit (x86-64)BMI1BMI2CLMULF16CGFNIPCLMULQDQRDRANDRDSEEDSSE4.1SSE4.2x86-64-v3ABMADXCMPXCHG16BFXSRInvariant TSCLZCNTPOPCNTRDTSCPSSESSE2SSE3SSSE3x86-64-v2XSAVEXSAVEOPTMMXMOVBE | | ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Security | AMD SEVAMD SMEExecute Disable (NX) | | Virtualization | AMD SVMAMD-V (Hardware Virtualization)NPT / RVIIOMMU | | OS capabilities | Docker / Hyper-V readyLinux KVM readyWindows 11 eligibleAndroid emulator readyWSL2 ready | ## Independent scores ### These are PassMark CPU figures. They are not Feex measurements. | Single-core score | 4,677 | | -------------------- | ------ | | Multi-core score | 54,411 | | Overall score | 15,952 | | Productivity score | 41,915 | | Creator score | 38,345 | | Engineering score | 59,172 | | Gaming score | 27,634 | | Performance per watt | 453.4 | ## Compatibility | Socket | AM5 | | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Board | A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision. | | Memory | DDR5, up to 256 GB | | Graphics | AMD Radeon Graphics | A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post. Cooler clearance, VRM quality, and power limits matter as much as the socket name. Read the memory list on the board. The CPU can list more standards than one motherboard will accept. ### No post after a CPU swap Clear CMOS only after you confirm the board list includes this SKU and the BIOS is new enough. A supported name on a box is not the same as a flashed board. ## Related These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link. [AM5: Socket](https://feex.it/wiki/hardware/system/am5)[Processors: Hardware](https://feex.it/wiki/hardware/cpu) ## Sources and verification Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research). - [Feex Hardware Database ](https://foxhole.feex.it/cpu/amd-ryzen-9-9900x)· Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0. - [PassMark Software ](https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+Ryzen+9+9900X)· CPU benchmark page for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X ## Was this article useful? A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note. Quick facts The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article. - **Manufacturer**: AMD **Family**: Ryzen 9 **Architecture**: Zen 5 **Socket**: AM5 **Launch**: 2024 **Status**: Previous generation, still capable Partially Verified: Last verified August 2026 --- Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/hardware/cpu/amd-ryzen-9-9900x/) [Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)