Athlon 220GE vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Athlon 220GE

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2018

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Athlon 220GE vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Athlon 220GE

2 / 4

4,441

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

Ryzen 5 3600

6 / 12

17,685

+298.2%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Athlon 220GE vs Ryzen 5 3600 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Athlon 220GE vs Ryzen 5 3600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Athlon 220GE

2018

Why buy it

✅+6.6% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $134 less on MSRP ($65 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Vega 3, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 68.3 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($65 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +135.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Delivers 30.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 68.3 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $65 MSRP).
✅200% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Athlon 220GE.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,898 vs 2,023).
❌
206.2% HIGHER MSRP
$199 MSRPvs$65 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Athlon 220GE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Athlon 220GE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 3600 is ahead with a 135.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon 220GE pulls ahead with 6.6% better Geekbench multi-core. Ryzen 5 3600 also has the bigger cache pool with 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon 220GE is the stronger fit. You are getting 6.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 5 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in 206.2% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $65 MSRP, and it still gives you a 135.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Athlon 220GE is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 6.6% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 30.1% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 68.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 3600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon 220GE vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Athlon 220GE

The Athlon 220GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,441 points. Launch price was $65.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

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Processing Power

The Athlon 220GE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Athlon 220GE versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Athlon 220GE uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 220GE scores 4,441 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 119.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 886 vs 1,295, a 37.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,023 vs 1,898 (6.4% advantage for the Athlon 220GE). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Athlon 220GE vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Athlon 220GE	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.2 GHz+24%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+700%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Zen (2017−2020)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	4,441	17,685+298%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	886	1,295+46%
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,023+7%	1,898

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2667 on the Athlon 220GE versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 3600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Athlon 220GE) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370,B450,X470 (Athlon 220GE) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Athlon 220GE	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	AM4	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2667	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	24+200%

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon 220GE) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Athlon 220GE includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 3), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon 220GE targets Desktop, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Athlon 220GE rivals Pentium Gold G5400; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Athlon 220GE	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon Vega 3	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	Yes
Target Use	Desktop	Gaming/Budget Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 220GE was priced at $65, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($65 vs $199), Athlon 220GE was $134 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 220GE delivers 68.3 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 26.1% better value option.

Feature	Athlon 220GE	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$65-67%	$199
Performance per Dollar	68.3	88.9+30%
Release Date	2018	2019

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