The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is the objective winner of this comparison, securing more individual specification victories than the AMD Ryzen 5 5500. While both processors share several identical technical characteristics, the most significant advantage belongs to the Ryzen 9 5950X, which offers a 300% larger L3 cache. This substantial memory capacity provides the primary technical edge for the higher-tier model, whereas the Ryzen 5 5500 maintains its own primary advantage with an 80% better MSRP.

Users prioritizing maximum cache capacity for demanding computational tasks should select the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X to leverage its superior memory architecture. Conversely, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is the logical choice for budget-conscious builders who want to capitalize on its significant MSRP advantage. By weighing the importance of the 300% cache increase against the 80% cost efficiency, buyers can align their specific performance needs and financial constraints with the appropriate processor.