AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT CPU, 16 Cores, 3.3 GHz, AM4 (Vermeer) – boxed without cooler

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT from the Vermeer processor family features 16 CPU cores based on the „Zen 3” architecture. Compared to the previous generation, each processor core now has access to the entire L3 cache, significantly boosting gaming performance. Additionally, the Ryzen 5000 processors offer significantly improved per-clock performance and a higher boost clock.

When paired with an AMD X570 or B550 chipset, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT supports the PCI-Express 4.0 standard, which is twice as fast as PCIe 3.0. All Ryzen 5000 processors use the proven AM4 platform and are designed for use with corresponding AMD chipsets. A prerequisite is an update to BIOS version AGESA 1.2.0.C or newer.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT at a glance:

• 16 „Zen 3” cores with only 105 watts thermal design power (TDP)
• 32 threads thanks to simultaneous multithreading (SMT)
• Very high single- and multi-thread performance
• Base clock of 3.3 GHz & 4.8 GHz turbo with Precision Boost 2
• Extremely fast PCI-Express 4.0 interface (only with AMD X570 or B550)
• Auto-overclocking Precision Boost Overdrive (only with AMD X570 or B550)
• Unlocked multiplier for manual overclocking (unlocked CPU)
• Very large cache memory: 8 MB L2 & 64 MB L3
• Highly efficient, non-planar 7-nanometre FinFET transistors
• AVX2 instruction set extension for complex vector calculations
• Two AES units for fast, reliable data encryption
• Compatible with the AMD AM4 processor socket
• Natively supports DDR4 RAM at 3,200 MHz (dual-channel)
• Without CPU cooler!

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT 16-Core CPU with 4.8 GHz Precision Boost 2

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT features 16 physical CPU cores, which can process two threads simultaneously thanks to simultaneous multithreading (SMT), effectively doubling the number of computing cores to 32 with the additional 16 virtual cores. The 16-core processor operates with a high base clock of 3.3 GHz per core, which can be precisely adjusted to the respective application scenario in real-time using Precision Boost 2, and increased to up to 4.8 GHz turbo within the framework of the thermal design power (TDP) of 105 watts.

The CPU cores’ silicon is manufactured using the 7 nm FinFET process with stacked transistors (also known as 3D transistors) using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. The space gained on the processor die due to the significantly reduced structure sizes allows for the integration of a total of 8 MB of level 2 cache and a whopping 64 MB of level 3 cache, which are particularly important for gaming.

The I/O chiplet responsible for the data lines in the CPU package is manufactured using a 12-nanometre process and provides 24 PCIe lanes, with four lanes each reserved for the connection to the motherboard chipset and for connecting NVMe SSDs. Thus, 16 lanes remain for communication with graphics cards, while additional PCIe lanes for other storage devices, expansion cards, and peripherals are provided depending on the motherboard chipset.

PCI-Express 4.0 with AMD X570 or B550 Chipset

In combination with an AMD X570 or B550 motherboard, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT supports the PCI-Express 4.0 standard. PCIe 4.0 is backwards compatible and can be used with all previous generation expansion cards. Per PCIe 4.0 lane, the data transfer rate is twice as high compared to PCIe 3.0, allowing an NVMe SSD connected via four PCIe 4.0 lanes to reach a theoretical read/write speed of up to 7.8 GB/s.

The AM4 platform also brings modern external device connections such as USB 3.1 with Type-A or Type-C connectors and high data transfer rates of up to 10 Gbit/s. The integrated memory controller of the CPU supports fast and energy-efficient DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode with or without ECC error correction at a native clock frequency of 3,200 MHz, with significantly higher clock rates possible through overclocking.

Automatic Overclocking with Precision Boost Overdrive

With AMD Zen 3, overclocking is almost a no-brainer, as the CPU regulates it automatically: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT is equipped with the auto-OC feature Precision Boost Overdrive, which can increase the processor clock beyond the factory-set limit of the maximum boost clock. This is provided an AMD X570 or B550 motherboard is used and sufficient CPU cooling is ensured.

High-end motherboards with AMD X570 or B550 chipsets usually have additional voltage regulators (VRMs). The VRMs allow the Ryzen 9 processor to communicate with the X570 chipset to access any unused power reserves of the motherboard and independently increase its clock rates depending on the CPU temperatures.

Unlocked CPU: Manual Overclocking with Free Multiplier

Additionally, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT is „unlocked” and features a free multiplier. This allows clock rates to be easily increased in the BIOS or UEFI or using software tools (e.g. AMD Ryzen Master), provided a suitable motherboard with an OC-capable chipset such as AMD X570 or B550 and adequate additional cooling are used.

Note:For PCI-Express 4.0 and Precision Boost Overdrive, an AM4 motherboard with AMD X570 or B550 chipset with BIOS update AGESA 1.2.0.C is required.