Core i5-3470 vs Ryzen 5 5600X

Core i5-3470 vs Ryzen 5 5600X Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3470

4 / 4

4,663

0.0%

21,845

+368.5%

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 i5-3470 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 i5-3470 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 i5-3470

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $115 less on MSRP ($184 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,663 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.3 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($184 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌18.5% higher power demand at 77W vs 65W.

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +136.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Delivers 188.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 25.3 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 77W, a 12W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
62.5% HIGHER MSRP
$299 MSRPvs$184 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Core i5-3470?

Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 136.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 368.5% 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 136.4% 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 368.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 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 62.5% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you a 136.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 188.3% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 25.3 PassMark/$), 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 2012), 433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3470 vs Ryzen 5 5600X Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3470

The Core i5-3470 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,663 points. Launch price was $184.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3470 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3470 versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 24.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-3470 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3470 scores 4,663 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 129.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3470 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.6 GHz+28%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.7 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	32 MB+433%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-68%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	4,663	21,845+368%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3470 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	LGA1155	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-3470) / AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3470 was priced at $184, while the Ryzen 5 5600X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($184 vs $299), Core i5-3470 was $115 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3470 delivers 25.3 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 97% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Ryzen 5 5600X
MSRP	$184-38%	$299
Performance per Dollar	25.3	73.1+189%
Release Date	2012	2020

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