Celeron N3160 vs Ryzen 5 5600

Celeron N3160 vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

Celeron N3160

4 / 4

1,195

0.0%

21,550

+1703.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

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.

Celeron N3160 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.

Celeron N3160 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.

Celeron N3160

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 4W instead of 65W, a 61W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 400, while Ryzen 5 5600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600 across 41 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,195 vs 21,550).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +637.5% higher average FPS across 41 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅500% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Celeron N3160.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Celeron N3160 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1525% higher power demand at 65W vs 4W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron N3160 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Celeron N3160?

Yes. Ryzen 5 5600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 637.5% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1703.3% 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 637.5% more average FPS across 41 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 1703.3% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $199 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 637.5% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 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.

Celeron N3160 vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N3160

The Celeron N3160 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.24 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,195 points. Launch price was $107.

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.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N3160 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.24 GHz on the Celeron N3160 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 65.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Celeron N3160 uses the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3160 scores 1,195 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 179% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3160 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Celeron N3160	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	2.24 GHz	4.4 GHz+96%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	3.5 GHz+119%
L3 Cache	0 kB	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	512K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Braswell (2015−2016)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	1,195	21,550+1703%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,052
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,600

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3160 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Celeron N3160 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 100% 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 8 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Celeron N3160) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FCBGA1170 (Celeron N3160) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

Feature	Celeron N3160	Ryzen 5 5600
Socket	FCBGA1170	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	1600	DDR4-3200+100%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	128 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	4	24+500%

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Celeron N3160) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). The Celeron N3160 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 400), while the Ryzen 5 5600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron N3160 rivals AMD E2-9010.