AMD Ryzen 9 9900X leaks display promising performance, potentially threatening Intel

A recent series of leaks regarding the upcoming AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has left users intrigued and may raise concerns for Intel. Two fresh leaks have unveiled captivating details about the potential performance of the next-generation Zen 5 CPU, SSP reported.

One significant highlight from these leaks is the Ryzen 9 9900X's commendable multi-core performance. Scoring an impressive 19,756 in Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmarks, this CPU surpassed AMD's current flagship chip but narrowly fell short of Intel's 14900K. Furthermore, a separate leak revealed comparable results in Cinebench R23, with scores of 33,000 and 34,500 in the 120W TDP and 170W modes, respectively.

While it is crucial to approach these leaks with caution and avoid excessive assumptions, they provide an early glimpse into the strength of the upcoming Ryzen 9000 series, rumored to launch worldwide on July 31 (according to unofficial sources).

However, it is worth mentioning that the 9900X, though undeniably powerful, is not the most robust processor in the next-gen range. This distinction belongs to the 16-core AMD Ryzen 9 9950X. Until hands-on testing and evaluation occur, it remains uncertain how these CPUs will stack up against rival processors on the market.

With the notable increase in both single-core and multi-core performance showcased in the early benchmarks, it appears that the Ryzen 9900X may exceed initial expectations. This potential threatens Intel's hold on the market. Nonetheless, Intel is likely to counter AMD's offerings with their own Arrow Lake series processors, which are projected to arrive as early as September. Past rumors suggest that Intel's next-gen CPUs may achieve substantial gains.

Importantly, unlike the Ryzen 9000 series, Intel's upcoming desktop CPUs will require an entirely new socket, necessitating a motherboard upgrade for existing PC owners – a corresponding expense to consider.