Core i3-7350K vs Ryzen 5 5600X

CPU

GPU

Core i3-7350K

2 Cores4 Thrd60 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2017

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Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020

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Core i3-7350K vs Ryzen 5 5600X Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7350K

2 / 4

4,886

0.0%

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

21,845

+347.1%

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.

Core i3-7350K vs Ryzen 5 5600X 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.

Core i3-7350K vs Ryzen 5 5600X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7350K

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $120 less on MSRP ($179 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,886 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 27.3 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($179 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +109.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Delivers 167.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 27.3 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
67% HIGHER MSRP
$299 MSRPvs$179 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7350K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Core i3-7350K?

Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 109.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 347.1% 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 5600X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 109.9% 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 5600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 347.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 5600X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600X comes in 67.0% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $179 MSRP, and it still gives you a 109.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 167.7% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 27.3 PassMark/$), 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 5600X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017), 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-7350K vs Ryzen 5 5600X Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7350K

The Core i3-7350K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,886 points. Launch price was $179.

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7350K packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-7350K versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 4.2 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i3-7350K uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7350K scores 4,886 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 126.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-7350K vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.6 GHz+10%
Base Clock	4.2 GHz+14%	3.7 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	32 MB+700%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	4,886	21,845+347%
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,100	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,298	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,740	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7350K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7350K versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X — the Ryzen 5 5600X supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-7350K) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel Z270,Intel Z170,Intel H270,Intel B250,Intel Q270,Intel Q250 (Core i3-7350K) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-3200+33%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Core i3-7350K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). The Core i3-7350K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7350K was priced at $179, while the Ryzen 5 5600X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($179 vs $299), Core i3-7350K was $120 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7350K delivers 27.3 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 91.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Ryzen 5 5600X
MSRP	$179-40%	$299
Performance per Dollar	27.3	73.1+168%
Release Date	2017	2020

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