All in all the Granite Ridge series, Ryzen 9000 for desktops, mark a step forward from the previous Ryzen 7000 series. This new lineup boasts slightly faster processing performance with better energy efficiency, and enhanced overall performance due to an optimized design and frequency range. These upgrades make the Ryzen 9000 series a strong competitor in the computer processor (CPU) market. but yeah, one of the standout features of the Ryzen 9000 series is its enhanced efficiency. These CPUs manage energy better, which means they use less power while delivering higher performance. This improvement is important in both everyday and professional settings where getting the most out of each watt of power is important, yet also for cooling (less complex). The top models of the Ryzen 9000 series benefit greatly from these design improvements, achieving higher speeds that significantly boost performance compared to earlier models. The release of the Ryzen 9000 series comes at a strategic time and could affect Intel's position in the market, especially considering the challenges Intel faces with its K series CPUs. With Intel's new Arrow Lake processors delayed until October, AMD has a chance to capture more of the market. 

This is an AMD review, but we have to talk about Intel too

I'd like to add a note about the Intel results in our charts, as Intel have (and will) released new firmware updates to combat stability issues (which in all we have not experienced ourselves so far). Here's the thing: historically, we've always tested with stock Intel's default settings, which means we always disable all the enhanced modes, e.g. long-lasting TDP modes, etc. Motherboard manufacturers often apply these by default. Before testing Ryzen 9000, we took a peek at the 14600K and 14900K to see what the new voltage-limited default settings did to the processor's performance. Compared to our way of testing, it wasn't a monumental difference, but it's there and it's certainly measurable. You can easily expect processors like the i5 13600K, i7 13700K, i9 13900K, i5 14600K, i7 14700K and i9 14900K to see a 3%<>7% drop in multi-threaded performance. Single-thread performance remains roughly the same. In gaming, we noticed very subtle effects, really small within a margin of error even.

However, if you compare Intel's new (stock) default BIOS voltage with the motherboard manufacturer's standard tweaks that they apply, then the results can easily be 10% of even higher, and that is significant. For example, if you have bought a premium motherboard from, say, MSI, ASRock, ASUS or others, they will have tweaked the BIOS for you to get better performance. If you compare these settings with the new Intel stock settings, you'll see a drop in performance. My story doesn't end with that conclusion, as the Intel issue hasn't been solved yet; somewhere in August again a new firmware revision from Intel will be pushed to motherboard manufacturers, which again can have an effect on performance. So all results for the Intel 13000 and 14000 series are served as is. We are already in the process of re-benching the primary Intel processors with early internal BIOS versions, starting with the 9900X and 9950X reviews these results will propagate into the articles.

We all had to wait a long time for pricing, but here you go. We feel the processor is priced fair. 

AMD still suggests that a memory frequency of 6000 MHz is optimal, we used two 16GB G.Skill modules rated slightly higher at 6400 MHz. While this setup offers excellent speed, it comes at a cost—approximately $125 for a 32GB kit. We tested the EXPO-enabled TridentZ5 NEO kit across various motherboards from MSI, ASRock, and ASUS. After updating to the latest BIOS, the system was quick to post. Initial boot-up includes a memory training process by the BIOS, which might take a few minutes. Switching the BIOS to EXPO mode, which optimizes the memory timings, requires another round of training. In terms of stability, the memory kit performed flawlessly.

The Ryzen 5 9600X is a processor rated at only 65 Watts; the thing is, much like Intel's PL2 states, AMD applies a PPT of ~88W, so that means your processor can utilize that wattage for a given number of seconds. Overall, temperatures look fine under load. You could easily run this processor even with a heatpipe-based cooler And long term load, of course, is incredibly energy efficient. 

Overclocking

Final words

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is a mid-range desktop CPU within the Granite Ridge product family, featuring 6 Zen 5 cores (12 threads) operating at a base frequency of 3.9 GHz, with a boost frequency up to 5.4 GHz. This is an evolutionary release, not revolutionary. It includes PCIe 5.0 support and a basic integrated GPU.  The Granite Ridge processors utilize the new Zen 5 microarchitecture, similar to the Strix Point APUs. However, unlike the Strix Point series, which combines performance and efficient cores, the 9600X consists solely of performance-focused Zen 5 cores. The multi-die design of the Granite Ridge series incorporates CPU cores manufactured using a 4 nm TSMC process, whereas the Strix Point processors are based on a single-die design. The Ryzen 9000 series impresses with its latest six-core processor, which is particularly appealing for gamers on a budget (if we rule out the X3D parts at this time). This processor provides substantial performance and can handle even the most high-end graphics cards without breaking a sweat. Its thermal and energy efficiency are also commendable, adding to its appeal. Pairing the Ryzen 5 9600X with a high-end X670(E) motherboard might not be the most cost-effective decision. A better option would be to go for the reasonably priced B650 chipset motherboards. Although the 9600X showcases a healthy 9% improvement in instructions per clock (IPC), combined with clock speeds that can reach up to approximately 5.45 GHz on preferred cores. One of the highlights of the AM5 platform is its support for PCIe Gen 5, but real-world performance benefits of PCIe Gen 5 SSDs, beyond their impressive sustained transfer speeds, may be minimal, even for Gen5.0-based NVMe SSDs aside from sustained workloads.  This release has an Achilles heel though, For those primarily interested in gaming, the Ryzen 5800X3D and Ryzen 7 7800X3D may be a more intriguing choice due to lower total platform and processor cost. The Ryzen 7000/9000 series also embed (simple) integrated graphics, making these processors versatile for a range of tasks beyond gaming if you're not building a gaming rig.  You'll notice that we're not even comparing anymore with Intel Gen 13/14 processors in our conclusion, given what's going on with instability issues and the aftermath it is creating, we cannot recommend going that route at this time. It's AMD all the for now. The Ryzen 5 9600X, priced at a fair $279, is a more accessible entry into the Zen 5 architecture, offering modest performance improvements only. However, for those on a tighter budget, the older Zen 4 processors like the 7600X, currently priced at $229, might present a better value due to their adequate performance and significantly lower platform costs. Good to know is that the AM5 socket promises compatibility with future upgrades until at least 2027, providing a viable path for users planning to upgrade their systems later.