Atom x5-E8000 vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Atom x5-E8000

4 Cores4 Thrd5 WWMax: 1.04 GHz2016

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Atom x5-E8000 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Atom x5-E8000

4 / 4

3,219

0.0%

17,685

+449.4%

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.

Atom x5-E8000 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.

Atom x5-E8000 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.

Atom x5-E8000

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $181 less on MSRP ($18 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 101.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 178.8 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($18 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Draws 5W instead of 65W, a 60W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Braswell), 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.
❌Lower PassMark (3,219 vs 17,685).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +192.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅500% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Atom x5-E8000.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 88.9 vs 178.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $18 MSRP).
❌1200% higher power demand at 65W vs 5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x5-E8000 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Atom x5-E8000?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 192.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 449.4% 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 3600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 192.0% 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 3600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 449.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 3600 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in 1005.6% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $18 MSRP, and it still gives you a 192.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Atom x5-E8000 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2016 platform. Even with 101.2% better value on paper (178.8 vs 88.9 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on that older platform.

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 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom x5-E8000 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Atom x5-E8000

The Atom x5-E8000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.04 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,219 points. Launch price was $39.

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 Atom x5-E8000 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.04 GHz on the Atom x5-E8000 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 120.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600. The Atom x5-E8000 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-E8000 scores 3,219 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 138.4% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-E8000 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Atom x5-E8000	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	1.04 GHz	4.2 GHz+304%
Base Clock	—	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	512K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	3,219	17,685+449%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Atom x5-E8000 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 100% 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 8 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Atom x5-E8000) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1170 (Atom x5-E8000) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Atom x5-E8000	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	—	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR4-3200+100%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	128 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	24+500%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-E8000) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Atom x5-E8000 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Braswell)), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Atom x5-E8000	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Braswell)	—
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes
Target Use	—	Gaming/Budget Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom x5-E8000 was priced at $18, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($18 vs $199), Atom x5-E8000 was $181 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom x5-E8000 delivers 178.8 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Atom x5-E8000 the 67.2% better value option.

Feature	Atom x5-E8000	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$18-91%	$199
Performance per Dollar	178.8+101%	88.9
Release Date	2016	2019

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