Athlon 64 4000+ vs Ryzen 5 5600

AMD

Athlon 64 4000+

1 Cores1 Thrd89 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2001
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Ryzen family
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Athlon 64 4000+ vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

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 64 4000+ vs Ryzen 5 5600 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 64 4000+ vs Ryzen 5 5600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon 64 4000+

2001

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (675 vs 21,550).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.4 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($482 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
    • 36.9% higher power demand at 89W vs 65W.
    • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

    Ryzen 5 5600

    2022

    Why buy it

    • Better for gaming: +1159.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Costs $283 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $482 MSRP).
    • Delivers 7632.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 1.4 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $482 MSRP).
    • Draws 65W instead of 89W, a 24W reduction.
    • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

    Trade-offs

    • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Athlon 64 4000+?
    Yes. Ryzen 5 5600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1159.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 3092.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 5600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1159.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 5600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 3092.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Ryzen 5 5600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600 comes in $283 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $482 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1159.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 7632.8% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 1.4 PassMark/$), 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 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2001) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Athlon 64 4000+ vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    Athlon 64 4000+

    The Athlon 64 4000+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Janeiro 2001 (24 years ago). It is based on the San Diego (2001−2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: 939. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 675 points. Launch price was $160.

    AMD

    Ryzen 5 5600

    The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

    Processing Power

    The Athlon 64 4000+ packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600 has 5 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Athlon 64 4000+ versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 51.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600. The Athlon 64 4000+ uses the San Diego (2001−2005) architecture (130 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 4000+ scores 675 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 187.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon 64 4000+ vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

    FeatureAthlon 64 4000+Ryzen 5 5600
    Cores / Threads
    1 / 1
    6 / 12+500%
    Boost Clock
    2.6 GHz
    4.4 GHz+69%
    Base Clock
    3.5 GHz
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    32 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    512K
    512K (per core)
    Process
    130 nm
    7 nm-95%
    Architecture
    San Diego (2001−2005)
    Vermeer (2020−2025)
    PassMark
    675
    21,550+3093%
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    11,077
    Geekbench 6 Single
    2,052
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    8,600
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Athlon 64 4000+ uses the 939 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 4000+ versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 300% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon 64 4000+) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 4000+) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

    FeatureAthlon 64 4000+Ryzen 5 5600
    Socket
    939
    AM4
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 1.1
    PCIe 4.0+264%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR2-800
    DDR4-3200+300%
    Max RAM Capacity
    16 GB
    128 GB+700%
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    0
    24
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: not specified (Athlon 64 4000+) / AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

    FeatureAthlon 64 4000+Ryzen 5 5600
    Integrated GPU
    No
    No
    Unlocked
    Yes
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    AMD-V
    Target Use
    Desktop
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Athlon 64 4000+ was priced at $482, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($482 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $283 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 4000+ delivers 1.4 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 194.9% better value option.

    FeatureAthlon 64 4000+Ryzen 5 5600
    MSRP
    $482
    $199-59%
    Performance per Dollar
    1.4
    108.3+7636%
    Release Date
    2001
    2022

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