Core i5-14500HX vs Ryzen 5 3600

Core i5-14500HX vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-14500HX

14 / 20

28,383

+60.5%

17,685

0.0%

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 i5-14500HX 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 i5-14500HX 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 i5-14500HX

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-14500HX.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-14500HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,898 vs 13,150).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Core i5-14500HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i5-14500HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-14500HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-14500HX better than Ryzen 5 3600?

Yes. Core i5-14500HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 592.8% better Geekbench multi-core, 60.5% 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, Core i5-14500HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.1% 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, Core i5-14500HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 592.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i5-14500HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-14500HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-14500HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-14500HX vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-14500HX

The Core i5-14500HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 28,383 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

The Core i5-14500HX packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i5-14500HX has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i5-14500HX versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-14500HX (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-14500HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-14500HX scores 28,383 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 46.4% lead for the Core i5-14500HX. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,409 vs 1,295, a 60.2% lead for the Core i5-14500HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 13,150 vs 1,898 (149.5% advantage for the Core i5-14500HX). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-14500HX vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-14500HX	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	14 / 20+133%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+17%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.6 GHz+38%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+25500%
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-HX Refresh (2024)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	28,383+60%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	2,409+86%	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	13,150+593%	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-14500HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-14500HX versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Core i5-14500HX supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-14500HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-14500HX) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM770 (Core i5-14500HX) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Core i5-14500HX	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	FCBGA1964	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+75%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-14500HX) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Core i5-14500HX includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-14500HX targets Gaming Laptop, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Core i5-14500HX	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Gaming Laptop	Gaming/Budget Workstation