CPU
GPU
Athlon 64 3300+
Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Athlon 64 3300+ is positioned at rank #1097 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 3300+
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon 64 3300+ | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (NewCastle (2004) / 130 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon 64 3300+ | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+8370%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon 64 3300+ and Ryzen 5 3600
Athlon 64 3300+
The Athlon 64 3300+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the NewCastle (2004) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 256 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: 754. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 522 points. Launch price was $149.
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.
Processing Power
The Athlon 64 3300+ packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 5 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Athlon 64 3300+ versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 54.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600. The Athlon 64 3300+ uses the NewCastle (2004) architecture (130 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 3300+ scores 522 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 188.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 150 vs 1,295, a 158.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 150 vs 1,898 (170.7% advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon 64 3300+ vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Athlon 64 3300+ | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 1 / 1 | 6 / 12+500% |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz | 4.2 GHz+75% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 32 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB | 512K (per core)+100% |
| Process | 130 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-95% |
| Architecture | NewCastle (2004) | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 522 | 17,685+3288% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 9,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 150 | 1,295+763% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 150 | 1,898+1165% |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon 64 3300+ uses the 754 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR1-400 on the Athlon 64 3300+ versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 120% 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 3 GB — 190.8% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Athlon 64 3300+) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 3600). PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon 64 3300+) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: VIA K8T800,nForce3 (Athlon 64 3300+) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).
| Feature | Athlon 64 3300+ | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | 754 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 4.0+264% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR1-400 | DDR4-3200+300% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 3 GB | 128 GB+4167% |
| RAM Channels | 1 | 2+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 24 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: None (Athlon 64 3300+) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Athlon 64 3300+ targets Retro Desktop, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.
| Feature | Athlon 64 3300+ | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | None | Yes |
| Target Use | Retro Desktop | Gaming/Budget Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Athlon 64 3300+ launched at $200 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 3600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($200 vs $80), the Ryzen 5 3600 is $120 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 3300+ delivers 2.6 pts/$ vs 221.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 195.3% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon 64 3300+ | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $200 | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $200 | $80-60% |
| Performance per Dollar | 2.6 | 221.1+8404% |
| Release Date | 2004 | 2019 |
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