Core i7-3615QE vs Ryzen 5 5600X

Intel

Core i7-3615QE

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012
Similar parts
·······
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020
Ryzen family
·······

Core i7-3615QE vs Ryzen 5 5600X Performance Spectrum

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 i7-3615QE 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 i7-3615QE 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 i7-3615QE

2012

Why buy it

  • Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (5,617 vs 21,845).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +95.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB).
  • Costs $101 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
  • Delivers 420.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Core i7-3615QE?
Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 95.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 288.9% 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 95.7% 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 288.9% 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 $101 cheaper on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $400 MSRP, and it still gives you a 95.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 420.3% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 14.0 PassMark/$), 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 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3615QE vs Ryzen 5 5600X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-3615QE

The Core i7-3615QE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,617 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

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 i7-3615QE packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3615QE versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 32.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-3615QE 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 i7-3615QE scores 5,617 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 118.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i7-3615QE vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

FeatureCore i7-3615QERyzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz
4.6 GHz+39%
Base Clock
2.3 GHz
3.7 GHz+61%
L3 Cache
6144 kB (total)
32 MB+433%
L2 Cache
256 kB (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
5,617
21,845+289%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3615QE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-3615QERyzen 5 5600X
Socket
BGA1023
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 i7-3615QE) / AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop.

FeatureCore i7-3615QERyzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-3615QE was priced at $400, while the Ryzen 5 5600X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($400 vs $299), Ryzen 5 5600X was $101 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3615QE delivers 14.0 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 135.5% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-3615QERyzen 5 5600X
MSRP
$400
$299-25%
Performance per Dollar
14.0
73.1+422%
Release Date
2012
2020

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.