The cheapest Ryzen 9000 processor is now available, but most won't be able to purchase it since it's exclusive to China.
AMD's Zen 5-Based 6-Core/12-Thread Ryzen 5 9500F Launches At 1,299 Yuan In China; AMD Claims 7-24% Performance Boost Over Predecessor
It's unusual that while AMD has launched the Ryzen 5 9500F as a China exclusive, the processor was recently spotted on a US retailer's website, Shop BLT, listed for $217. It could have been a last-minute decision, but that's what AMD's new plan for its cheapest Zen 5 desktop CPU looks like at the moment. AMD has silently, but officially, launched the processor, as can be seen on the AMD China website. The page confirms it as a China-exclusive, and we just saw that the Shop BLT has removed the processor listing from its website.
The official specifications are out, and the Ryzen 5 9500F is a 6-core/12-thread processor, as known from previous leaks. It boasts a base frequency of 3.8 GHz and a boost clock of up to 5.0 GHz. The total L2+L3 cache is 38 MB, and the CPU is rated at 65W. So, it's essentially a downgraded Ryzen 5 9600X/9600, which boasts higher boost frequencies. The other major difference is the absence of any integrated graphics, which is denoted by the "F" suffix at the end.
Ryzen 9600X and Ryzen 9600 both come with integrated graphics based on RDNA 2 architecture, but the Ryzen 5 9500F will require a discrete GPU for display output. It's a budget offering for gamers who want to save more and invest in a better GPU instead. Hence, the price will be low as well, and according to the report, the Ryzen 5 9500F is launched at 1,299 Yuan, which translates to around US$181. On the other hand, the Ryzen 5 9600X carries an official price tag of $249. So, there's around $60 price gap between the two if we consider the launch prices, but in reality, it will be much smaller as the 9600X has seen several price cuts since launch, and one can usually find it at around $200.
That said, the performance difference between the two should be noticeable since a 400 MHz lower boost clock will definitely keep the Ryzen 5 9500F noticeably behind. However, compared to the predecessor, i.e., the Ryzen 5 7500F, AMD claims that the 9500F delivers up to 24% higher performance. It shared a slide comparing the two CPUs in six games, where the Ryzen 9500F comes out around 7-24% faster than the 7500F in games like Watch Dogs: Legion, Far Cry 6, PUBG, Dota 2, Borderlands 3, and CS:2.
We don't know exactly what configuration AMD used for this test, but if the actual numbers are even close to these, then the 9500F should be a decent option. However, paying $181 doesn't seem reasonable when you can get an iGPU-equipped, faster Ryzen 5 9600X for just $20 more.
News Source: Videocardz
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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