Core i5-11400T vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Core i5-11400T

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2021

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

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Core i5-11400T vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-11400T

6 / 12

13,034

0.0%

17,685

+35.7%

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 i5-11400T 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.

Core i5-11400T 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.

Core i5-11400T

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $17 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 730, 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 Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,891 vs 9,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 71.6 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +44.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 24.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 71.6 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
9.3% HIGHER MSRP
$199 MSRPvs$182 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Core i5-11400T?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 44.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 144.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 35.7% higher PassMark, 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 44.9% 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 3600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 144.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).

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 9.3% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 44.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 24.1% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 71.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i5-11400T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-11400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-11400T vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11400T

The Core i5-11400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,034 points. Launch price was $182.

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

Both the Core i5-11400T and Ryzen 5 3600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-11400T versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 1.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-11400T uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11400T scores 13,034 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 30.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 3,891 vs 9,500 (83.8% advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,767 vs 1,295, a 30.8% lead for the Core i5-11400T that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,179 vs 1,898 (106% advantage for the Core i5-11400T). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11400T vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-11400T	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.2 GHz+14%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+177%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	13,034	17,685+36%
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,891	9,500+144%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,767+36%	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,179+226%	1,898

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11400T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-11400T) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H510,B560,Z590,H470,Z490 (Core i5-11400T) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Core i5-11400T	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	LGA1200	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i5-11400T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11400T) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Core i5-11400T includes integrated graphics (UHD 730), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11400T targets Productivity, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i5-11400T rivals Core i5-11400; Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Core i5-11400T	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD 730	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	Yes
Target Use	Productivity	Gaming/Budget Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11400T was priced at $182, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($182 vs $199), Core i5-11400T was $17 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11400T delivers 71.6 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 21.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11400T	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$182-9%	$199
Performance per Dollar	71.6	88.9+24%
Release Date	2021	2019

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