AMD’s “new mid-range champion” Ryzen 7 9700X and its Ryzen 5 9600X sibling are now available to buy

AMD's "new mid-range champion" Ryzen 7 9700X and its Ryzen 5 9600X sibling are now available to buy

What you need to know

  • AMD’s Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 7 9700X desktop processors based on the new Zen 5 architecture are now available to buy.
  • Both chips run at a 65W TDP; the former chip has six cores and the latter has eight cores.
  • The Ryzen 5 costs $279 while the Ryzen 7 costs $359, cheaper than their Ryzen 7000 equivalents at launch.
  • Ryzen 9 9900X and Ryzen 9 9950X processors are expected to launch August 15, 2024.

As a tech enthusiast with years of experience under my belt, I must say that the new AMD Ryzen 9000 CPUs have truly caught my attention. Having tested and reviewed numerous processors over the years, I can confidently say that the Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 7 9700X are impressive additions to the market.


AMD has made its debut with Ryzen 9000 series desktop processors (CPUs) available for purchase. The initial launch of Ryzen 9000 was slightly postponed due to some quality assurance problems, such as a labeling mix-up that caused confusion between Ryzen 5, 7, and 9 model names. However, the Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 7 9700X are now up for grabs at popular retailers like Best Buy, Newegg, and Amazon.

The new Ryzen 5 9600X is priced affordably at $279, while the Ryzen 7 9700X retails for $359. This means the Ryzen 5 9600X costs $10 less than its predecessor, the Ryzen 5 7600X’s launch price, and the Ryzen 7 9700X is sold at a discount of $40 compared to the original price of the Ryzen 7 7700X.

The initial two processors are primarily designed for PC gaming and everyday productivity tasks. However, upcoming Ryzen 9 models, such as the 9900X and 9950X set to launch next week, are more geared towards creators and professionals with heavy workloads. Additionally, there are rumors that X3D versions of these CPUs featuring AMD’s 3D V-Cache are being developed specifically for gaming, though no official announcements have been made yet.

AMD’s first Zen 5 desktop CPUs are here

AMD's "new mid-range champion" Ryzen 7 9700X and its Ryzen 5 9600X sibling are now available to buyAMD's "new mid-range champion" Ryzen 7 9700X and its Ryzen 5 9600X sibling are now available to buy

AMD’s most recent “Granite Ridge” desktop processors, utilizing the innovative Zen 5 architecture, are compatible with AM5 motherboards. Although the upcoming X870 and X870E boards are set for release towards the end of this year, there are numerous choices available to complement your new Ryzen 5 5600X or Ryzen 7 9700X.

Among the current boards, you might want to consider the X670 and B650 (and their E versions) as they are likely your top choices. If you’re curious about suitable motherboards for the Ryzen 7 9700X, I have a list to help you get started.

Here’s a look at the specs that make up each CPU.

According to Windows Central Editor Ben Wilson, he found the Ryzen 7 chip particularly noteworthy due to its excellent value for money in terms of performance. In his Ryzen 7 9700X review, Wilson pointed out that the chip excelled remarkably in single-core performance.

“In single-core performance, AMD’s Ryzen 7 9700X dominates its competitors, standing out with impressive scores, except for one CPU-Z result against Intel’s upcoming 14th Gen i7-14700K. This is likely due to the Ryzen 7 9700X having fewer physical cores (8) compared to the 14700K (20). As a result, each core in the 9700X receives a larger share of power and delivers stronger performance.”

Wilson also shared these insights regarding multi-core performance from the Ryzen 7 9700X:

“The performance advantage AMD has managed to achieve with its new chips, consuming only half the power of Intel’s competitors, should not be underestimated. For instance, the Ryzen 7 9700X, which has a base TDP drop from 105W in the previous-gen Ryzen 7 7700X to 40W, still delivers a notable improvement in performance over its predecessor. While this isn’t as substantial as the leap AMD made from the 65W 5700X, it’s still an impressive feat given that they are transitioning from Zen 4’s 5nm manufacturing process to TSMC’s 4nm. This is part of a broader demonstration of power efficiency improvements for the Ryzen 9000 Series.”

As a researcher delving into processor comparisons, let me share my findings on the rivalry between the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 7 9700X, pitted against both Intel’s offerings and AMD’s own lineup. Here’s a glimpse at how they stack up in the competitive landscape.

AMD's "new mid-range champion" Ryzen 7 9700X and its Ryzen 5 9600X sibling are now available to buy
AMD's "new mid-range champion" Ryzen 7 9700X and its Ryzen 5 9600X sibling are now available to buy
AMD's "new mid-range champion" Ryzen 7 9700X and its Ryzen 5 9600X sibling are now available to buy
AMD's "new mid-range champion" Ryzen 7 9700X and its Ryzen 5 9600X sibling are now available to buy
AMD's "new mid-range champion" Ryzen 7 9700X and its Ryzen 5 9600X sibling are now available to buy
AMD's "new mid-range champion" Ryzen 7 9700X and its Ryzen 5 9600X sibling are now available to buy

Regarding the Ryzen 5 9600X, while it may not outshine its Ryzen 7 counterpart, it still earned a coveted Windows Central Recommended Award. In his review of the Ryzen 5 9600X, Wilson found it worthy enough to receive this recognition.

As someone who has been following the CPU market for a while now, I have to say that I am genuinely impressed by AMD’s Ryzen 5 9600X. Coming from someone who has used various processors in the past, I can confidently assert that this chip delivers exceptional single-core performance that leaves its competitors, namely Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, in the dust. Moreover, it manages to achieve this feat while maintaining a lower TDP (Thermal Design Power) and boasting an affordable MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price).

Are the new AMD Ryzen 9000 CPUs for you?

AMD's "new mid-range champion" Ryzen 7 9700X and its Ryzen 5 9600X sibling are now available to buyAMD's "new mid-range champion" Ryzen 7 9700X and its Ryzen 5 9600X sibling are now available to buy

The attractiveness of the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 7 9700X for you hinges significantly on the existing hardware in your computer and the intended purpose of your PC.

The enhanced single-core performance of the Ryzen 7 9700X is noteworthy, particularly for games and creative applications that can leverage this boost. If you prioritize gaming, this latest Ryzen 7 processor is expected to be among the top options in the mid-range segment, delivering an exceptional user experience.

Instead, fans aiming for optimal performance from a Ryzen 7 processor might want to hold off, as we anticipate the release of AMD’s -X3D versions in the near future. On the contrary, individuals who currently own an AMD Ryzen 7700X chip may not find the potential performance improvements substantial enough to justify spending another $359 so quickly.

For gaming enthusiasts, it’s likely they’ll either consider the previous-generation Ryzen 7 7800X3D or patiently anticipate the arrival of the Ryzen 9000X3D models. These processors are tailor-made for gaming.

Alternatively, AMD presents a compelling case for individuals seeking improvements in single-core performance. Similarly, the Ryzen 5 9600X is a reasonable choice if you’re updating from an AM4 platform while staying within budget constraints.

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2024-08-08 16:09