Core i5-11500B vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Core i5-11500B

6 Cores12 Thrd7.5 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2021

Core family

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Core i5-11500B vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-11500B

6 / 12

17,075

0.0%

17,685

+3.6%

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 i5-11500B 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 i5-11500B 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 i5-11500B

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $14 less on MSRP ($185 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Draws 8W instead of 65W, a 58W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 32EU, 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 (17,075 vs 17,685).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-11500B.

Trade-offs

❌
7.6% HIGHER MSRP
$199 MSRPvs$185 MSRP
❌766.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 7.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11500B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Core i5-11500B?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 3.6% better 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 8.2% 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 3.6% better PassMark, 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 easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in 7.6% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $185 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11500B only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 8.2% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i5-11500B 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 i5-11500B vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11500B

The Core i5-11500B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. L2 cache: 7.5 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 17,075 points. Launch price was $299.

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 i5-11500B and Ryzen 5 3600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500B versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-11500B (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-11500B uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500B scores 17,075 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 3.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core i5-11500B vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+10%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	12 MB	32 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	7.5 MB	512K (per core)+6727%
Process	10 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-30%
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	17,075	17,685+4%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500B uses the FCBGA1787 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 i5-11500B) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	FCBGA1787	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 i5-11500B supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-11500B) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Core i5-11500B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 32EU), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500B targets Desktop / Mini PC, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 32EU	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Desktop / Mini PC	Gaming/Budget Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11500B was priced at $185, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($185 vs $199), Core i5-11500B was $14 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11500B delivers 92.3 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Core i5-11500B the 3.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$185-7%	$199
Performance per Dollar	92.3+4%	88.9
Release Date	2021	2019

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