© Tester128 / Shutterstock.com
Key Points:
- Prices and scarcity for graphics cards have come back down to earth (somewhat).
- The Risen 7 5800x is the more costly option of the two.
- Having the correct power requirements for these pieces of hardware are important: The Ryzen 5 5600x needs 65 watts, and the Ryzen 7 5800x requires up to 105 watts.
If you have been shopping around for a new CPU, you may have stumbled across Ryzen 5 5600x and the Ryzen 7 5800x – two of the best mid-tier processors from AMD. Both processors are superb for building a PC for VR gaming, streaming, and content creation. Let’s dive into the Ryzen 5 5600x vs Ryzen 7 5800x to see what makes each one special. We’ll help you pick the best CPU for your needs using full side-by-side comparisons, features, and benchmarks.
Ryzen 5 5600x vs Ryzen 7 5800x: Side by Side Comparison
©NoonBuSin/Shutterstock.com
| Specs | Ryzen 5 5600x | Ryzen 7 5800x |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Cores | 6 cores | 8 cores |
| Number of Threads | 12 threads | 16 threads |
| Base Clock Speed | 3.70GHz | 3.80GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 4.60GHz | 4.70GHz |
| L2 Cache Size | 512K per core | 512K per core |
| L3 Cache Size | 32MB shared | 32MB shared |
| Unlocked? | Yes | Yes |
| TDP Rating | 65 Watts | 105 Watts |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| PCI Version | PCI-E 4.0 | PCI-E 4.0 |
| CPU Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| CPU Architecture | 7NM Zen 3 | 7NM Zen 3 |
- This processor from AMD boasts 6 cores and is their fastest available option in this category.
- It can handle 12 processing threads, providing impressive multitasking capabilities.
- With the ability to reach 100+ FPS, it's a great choice for gaming enthusiasts.
- The AMD Wraith Stealth cooler is included for efficient temperature management.
- It supports DDR4 memory, with a max boost of 4.6 GHz and 35 MB of cache. It's also unlocked for overclocking and can handle DDR-3200.
- This processor is designed for use with the advanced Socket AM4 platform and is compatible with PCIe 4.0 on X570 and B550 motherboards.
- Supports Windows 10 64-Bit Edition
- 100-plus FPS performance
- 4.7 GHz Max Boost
- Supports PCIe 4.0 on X570 and B550 motherboards
Ryzen 5 5600x vs Ryzen 7 5800x: What’s the Difference?
©Tester128/Shutterstock.com
Both the Ryzen 5 5600x and the Ryzen 7 5800x were released around the end of 2020, as part of AMD’s new Zen3 lineup. Designed to replace the Zen2 series of processors, the new Zen3 CPUs were much more powerful than their predecessors.
Performance
Despite Intel being more expensive than AMD, the latest Ryzen processors have shown us that this is no longer the case. Although a similar Intel CPU may be more cost-effective, the Ryzen 5 is top of its class in this price range in terms of sheer performance.
Ryzen 5 5600x is 17% faster than the Ryzen 5 3600x that it replaced. Most gamers also reported higher frame rates when games. The difference in performance was most recognizable in multicore computations as the Zen3 architecture is much more efficient.
On the other hand, the Ryzen 7 5800x is a shining example of a mid to high-end processor. For the enthusiast gamer, the Ryzen 7 makes a much better pick. It consistently delivers a higher level of performance. Although the Ryzen 5800x was released at the same time as the Ryzen 5 5600x, there is a noticeable price difference.
Price
With the Ryzen 5 5600x launching at an MSRP of just $299, the Ryzen 7 is the much more expensive option. The MSRP of $449 found on the Ryzen 7 puts this CPU in the same league as the Core i7 series from Intel. The good news is that you get more bang for your buck with the Ryzen 7 5800x.
Power
Both processors have different power requirements. While the Ryzen 5 5600x gets by with a maximum of 65 watts, the Ryzen 7 5800x requires up to 105 watts. Keep this in mind if you have power limitations or are trying to build an energy-efficient computer.
Ryzen 5 5600x vs Ryzen 7 5800x: 5 Must-Know Facts
- Ryzen 5 5600x and Ryzen 7 5800x were launched on the same date, November 5th, 2020.
- Both desktop processors are built on AMD “Zen 3” Core Architecture and feature AMD Ryzen™ Master Utility.
- While Ryzen 5 5600x needs 65 watts, the Ryzen 7 5800x requires up to 105 watts.
- Both processors support a variety of applications, including high-speed gaming performance.
- Retailing for $449, the Ryzen 7 5800X desktop processor costs $150 more than its sibling.
©Tester128/Shutterstock.com
Which One Is Better For Gaming: Ryzen 5 5600x vs Ryzen 7 5800x?
One critical factor to remember when building a gaming PC is to figure out which CPU is better for playing the latest games. The good news is that both processors are ideal for gaming, as long as you pair them with a quality graphics card. We compiled benchmarks for some of the most popular games to get an idea of the average frame rates you can expect with each CPU.
| Titles | Ryzen 5 5600X | Ryzen 7 5800X |
|---|---|---|
| CSGO | 310+ FPS | 318+ FPS |
| GTA V | 101+ FPS | 108+ FPS |
| Overwatch | 134+ FPS | 142+ FPS |
| PUBG | 131+ FPS | 133+ FPS |
| Fortnite | 120+ FPS | 121+ FPS |
Both processors deliver pretty similar results. When tested with an RTX 2060 graphics card, the Ryzen 5 5600x and Ryzen 7 5800x delivered impressive frame rates. After reviewing the benchmarks, it is clear that the Ryzen 7 5800x is slightly faster.
Overall, your average gamer might not even notice the difference between the two processors. Both CPUs deliver excellent gaming performance, but the Ryzen 7 offers more processing power.
Ryzen 5 5600x vs Ryzen 7 5800x: Which One Should You Choose?
- Supports Windows 10 64-Bit Edition
- 100-plus FPS performance
- 4.7 GHz Max Boost
- Supports PCIe 4.0 on X570 and B550 motherboards
The choice of which processor to get for your PC build ultimately comes down to the price. The Ryzen 5 5600x is an excellent option if you are on a tight budget. It’s possible to find a similar Intel processor for less, but none match up Ryzen series processors in terms of features.
On the other hand, if you are willing to pay more to squeeze as much performance out of your build as possible, then the Ryzen 7 is the way to go. It brings additional processing power with a faster base speed and boost speed. The higher core count on the Ryzen 7allows it to handle various applications. Although the benchmarks didn’t show a remarkable benefit to the Ryzen 7 5800x for most games, you will still see higher average frame rates. The Ryzen 7 5800x is also more well-equipped to handle advanced tasks like video editing and streaming. Overall, the Ryzen 7 comes out on top here.
Up Next…
Didn’t read what you wanted to know about graphics cards? Check these out below.
- Support Brackets Needed for the Gigantic RTX 4090 Graphics Cards. Make sure you get the correct brackets for this beast.
- AMD RX 6600-XT vs Nvidia RTX 3060: Which Mid-Tier Graphics Card is Best? We break down these two from top to bottom.
- Nvidia GTX 1050-Ti vs 1650: Which Entry-Level Graphics Card is Better? Trying to decide? No worries; we have the pros and cons for you here!
