Ryzen 5 3600 vs 5600x: Five Must-Know Facts
- By novelty, Ryzen 5600x is a better version compared to Ryzen 5 3600.
- Ryzen 5600x and 3600 have the same L2 and L3 cache speeds at 3MB and 32 Megabytes respectively.
- Ryzen 5 5600x does not have integrated graphics, but you can get it yourself.
- For gamers, Ryzen 5 5600x is one of the fastest AMD processors out there.
- Although the Ryzen 5 3600 runs on the older Zen 2 architecture, it is by no means a bad processor. It is one of the most valued processors for gamers.
As a game enthusiast looking to know which processor is best for gaming and productive use between Ryzen 5 3600 vs 5600x, our best bet is, since you know your onions regarding making the best choice of CPU products (Ryzen) for gaming purposes, then, you deserve to be guided to selecting the best for high-performance, durability, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and of course, a complete package for its worth.
However, these two products are by quality, function, and specs different. But by checking their features which we’ll provide you with in this article, you will be able to decide on which one to buy depending on your taste and have no need to take a second mortgage.
Let’s get right to it!
Ryzen 5 3600 vs 5600x: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ryzen 5 3600 | Ryzen 5 5600x | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Release | 7 July 2019 (about 3 years ago) | 5 November 2020 (about 2 years ago) |
| Number of Cores | 6 Cores | 6 Cores |
| L1 Cache | 384 Kilobytes | 64 Kilobytes/core |
| Base Clock | 3.6GHz | 3.7GHz |
| Max Boost Clock | Up to 4.2 GHz | Up to 4.6GHz |
| Current Price | $159.99 | $198.99 |
©Christian Wiediger/Shutterstock.com
What’s the Difference between Ryzen 5 3600 vs 5600x?
Speaking of an upgrade, when a company decides to upgrade a product of theirs, it is expected that the newer version provides better and more attractive features (why would I bother splurging on what has no value in the first place) which should satisfy users’ needs better than the former would. This goes to the reason Ryzen 5 3600 vs 5600x have clear differences.
Release Date
Owing to the release date, Ryzen 5600x is a better version compared to Ryzen 5 3600. Wherein Ryzen 5 3600 got released on 7/7/2019, Ryzen 5600x was released about a year and some months after (5/11/2020). The latter comes with a massive upgrade that is worth jumping on by anyone who jumped on the AM4 platform early.
Speed
The 5600 when tested by a user was reported to be about 12% faster than the 3600 though, and that is a notable improvement. Although, there is little to no difference between the two in gaming tasks as even in this scenario some titles were GPU limited using dialed-down quality settings.
Regarding the CPU, some users reported after both CPUs were tested with both base and overclocked speeds that a 4.7GHz overclock speed was reached from the 5600x and a 4.2GHz speed from the 3600. This means that the 5600x is at least 500MHz or 5GHz faster than the 3600.
Although, this does not totally limit Ryzen 5 3600, as users claim there are still processors out there that can go up to 4.4GHz but will still come short when compared to the 5600x.
©RSplaneta/Shutterstock.com
Build
By architectural grade, Ryzen 5 3600 and 5600x both run on different AMD architectures. While the Ryzen 5 3600 runs on the older Zen 2 architecture, the Ryzen 5 5600 is running on the Zen 3 architecture which was released a year later. As a result of this, the 3600 is at a disadvantage here in single-core performance because of its older architecture.
Performance
Furthermore, the 5600x and 3600 also have the same L2 and L3 cache speeds at 3 MB and 32 Megabytes respectively. Although, both CPUs have the same amount of cache, the way they utilize that memory differs in each architecture. Also, with each core complex having access to higher amounts of memory, the Zen 3 architecture is better in terms of overall performance.
As the power consumption of both processors increases, so do the temperature levels. Although the difference isn’t by a landslide, the 5600x Wraith Stealth CPU cooler excels here. Maintaining a heavy task like high-end gaming at a turbo speed requires a good TDP cooler. Hence, the 3600 often lags when the CPU is overclocked or if a bottleneck occurs.
Pricing
An upgrade is always accompanied by a shift in the price gap of the previous gadgets. While the Ryzen 5 3600 maintains an average price of $150.99 across various outlets, the 5600x averages at $198.99. This difference in price is evident in the performance upgrade that accompanies the 5600x. However, they are both good returns for the monetary value they command. However, getting the improved features of the 5600x is worth the splurge if you are a gamer.
©NoonBuSin/Shutterstock.com
Ryzen 5 3600 vs 5600: Which One is Better for Gaming?
Gaming is an essential factor in determining what processor to buy for most users. Although we have been comparing the Ryzen 3600 vs 5600x processors, we will focus on their performance in gaming. So, we have compiled the benchmarks from across the internet to pit the processors against each other using popular games. These games are run at their highest settings to figure out the average frame rates on each CPU.
| Ryzen 5 3600 | Ryzen 5 5600x | |
|---|---|---|
| Fortnite | 96+ FPS | 101+ FPS |
| Valorant | 110+ FPS | 115+ FPS |
| GTA V | 99+ FPS | 110+ FPS |
| Overwatch | 110+ FPS | 134+ FPS |
| Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey | 99+ FPS | 102+ FPS |
| CSGO | 162+ FPS | 180+ FPS |
| Apex Legends | 104+ FPS | 107+ FPS |
From the table above, we can see the clear difference in performance between the two processors. The 5600x is clearly a game changer with much-improved frame rates in every game.
Which Should You Buy: Ryzen 5 3600 or 5600x?
Having considered the features present in 5600x compared to Ryzen 5 3600, we can conclude that if you spend extra bucks getting the 5600x, it would be a plus for you. It really is worth the splurge.
In this comparison, we’ve come to know that the 5600x was much better in both multi-core and single-core performance compared to the 3600. The only hitch which has a fix is that, like all of the Ryzen desktop CPUs, Ryzen 5600x processor doesn’t come with integrated graphics, meaning you’ll either have to buy a new GPU or use your old one for now. Regardless, this is an excellent processor for gaming.
However, if you can’t afford the upgrade, the Ryzen 5 3600 is also highly rated and considered a worthy budget-oriented CPU for high-end gaming.
- AMD's Wraith Stealth cooling ensures temperatures no higher than 95°C
- Boost Speed: 4.2GHz
- PCIe 4.0 support (x570 motherboards only)
- Up to 100 FPS gaming support
- 6 cores and 12 processing threads, which provide impressive multitasking capabilities
- Reaches 100+ FPS
- The AMD Wraith Stealth cooler is included
- Supports DDR4 memory, with a max boost of 4.6 GHz and 35 MB of cache
- Compatible with PCIe 4.0 on X570 and B550 motherboards
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