The AMD Ryzen 5 9500F is a slightly downclocked, GPU-less version of the 9600X offering solid gaming performance but is currently overpriced compared to better-valued alternatives like the 9600X and 7500F. While it delivers good thermals and power efficiency, its limited availability and lack of warranty make it a less attractive choice until prices drop closer to $200 AUD.
The video reviews the AMD Ryzen 5 9500F, a processor currently available only in the Chinese market but expected to expand availability soon. The 9500F is essentially a slightly downclocked version of the Ryzen 5 9600X, with the integrated RDNA2 GPU removed, similar to how the 7500F relates to the 7600X. It features six cores and twelve threads, a 65W TDP, and maintains the same cache and PCIe 5.0 lane configuration as the 9600X. The base clock is reduced from 3.9 GHz to 3.8 GHz, and the boost clock drops from 5.44 GHz to 5 GHz. While the 9600X does not include a box cooler, the 9500F is supposed to, although units purchased via AliExpress may lack this accessory.
Performance testing showed that the 9500F runs about 5 to 7% slower than the 9600X, which aligns with the clock speed reductions. In gaming benchmarks across a variety of titles, the 9500F generally performed slightly below the 9600X but still delivered solid results, often outperforming the Ryzen 5 7600X and significantly beating the 7500F. For example, in Rainbow Six Siege, it was 16% faster than the 7500F and 10% faster than the 7600X at medium settings. Shader compilation tasks also showed the 9500F trailing the 9600X by about 5%, performing similarly to the 7600X.
Despite its decent performance, the 9500F’s current pricing makes it less appealing. Purchased from AliExpress, it costs around $325 AUD, just $45 less than the locally available 9600X, which comes with a warranty and box cooler. This small saving does not justify the lack of local support or the absence of a warranty, especially considering the 7500F is available for about $200 AUD and offers better value for budget-conscious buyers. The cost per frame savings compared to the 9600X is only around 8-9%, while it is significantly more expensive than the 7500F.
The reviewer concludes that the 9500F is a predictable and straightforward product—a slightly lower-clocked 9600X without integrated graphics—without any hidden drawbacks or surprises. It maintains good thermal performance and power consumption, and AMD has not downgraded materials like thermal interface material, unlike previous budget models. However, until the price drops closer to $200 AUD, the 9500F is not recommended over other options such as the 9600X or 7600, which offer better overall value and local warranty support.
Finally, the video hints at potential future comparisons between the Ryzen 5 7500F and Intel’s Core i5 12400F, which is available at a similar price point. The host invites viewers to comment if they want to see such content. Overall, the 9500F is positioned as a minor upgrade over the 7500F, primarily aimed at gamers, but currently lacks compelling reasons to choose it over other CPUs due to pricing and availability constraints.