Celeron N3350 vs Ryzen 5 3600

Intel

Celeron N3350

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2016
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Celeron N3350 vs Ryzen 5 3600 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.

Celeron N3350 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.

Celeron N3350 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.

Celeron N3350

2016

Why buy it

  • Costs $92 less on MSRP ($107 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • Draws 6W instead of 65W, a 59W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 500, 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 Geekbench multi-core (450 vs 1,898).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.4 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +632.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Delivers 755.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 10.4 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
  • 300% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 6) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron N3350.

Trade-offs

  • 86% HIGHER MSRP
    $199 MSRPvs$107 MSRP
  • 983.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 6W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron N3350 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Celeron N3350?
Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 632.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 321.8% better Geekbench multi-core, 1490.4% higher 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 632.8% 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 321.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 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 86.0% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $107 MSRP, and it still gives you a 632.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 755.1% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 10.4 PassMark/$), 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 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 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N3350 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron N3350

The Celeron N3350 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,112 points. Launch price was $24.

AMD

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 Celeron N3350 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Celeron N3350 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 54.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Celeron N3350 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3350 scores 1,112 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 176.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 250 vs 1,295, a 135.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 450 vs 1,898 (123.3% advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3350 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureCeleron N3350Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock
2.4 GHz
4.2 GHz+75%
Base Clock
1.1 GHz
3.6 GHz+227%
L3 Cache
0 kB
32 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB
512K (per core)+51100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture
Apollo Lake (2014−2016)
Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark
1,112
17,685+1490%
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,500
Geekbench 6 Single
250
1,295+418%
Geekbench 6 Multi
450
1,898+322%
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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3350 uses the FCBGA1296 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR4-2400 on the Celeron N3350 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 33.3% 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: 6 (Celeron N3350) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 18 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Celeron N3350) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

FeatureCeleron N3350Ryzen 5 3600
Socket
FCBGA1296
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR4-2400
DDR4-3200+33%
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
128 GB+1500%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
6
24+300%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Celeron N3350) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Celeron N3350 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 500), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron N3350 targets Entry Level Laptop/NUC, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Celeron N3350 rivals AMD A4-9120; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

FeatureCeleron N3350Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 500
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Yes
Target Use
Entry Level Laptop/NUC
Gaming/Budget Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron N3350 was priced at $107, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($107 vs $199), Celeron N3350 was $92 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron N3350 delivers 10.4 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 158.1% better value option.

FeatureCeleron N3350Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP
$107-46%
$199
Performance per Dollar
10.4
88.9+755%
Release Date
2016
2019

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