Core i7-3770S vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

Core i7-3770S

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2012

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

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Core i7-3770S vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-3770S

4 / 8

6,173

0.0%

17,685

+186.5%

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 i7-3770S 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 i7-3770S 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 i7-3770S

2012

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, 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 (4,500 vs 9,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.7 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +75.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $51 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 259.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 24.7 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3770S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Core i7-3770S?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 75.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 111.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 186.5% 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, Ryzen 5 3600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 75.5% 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 111.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 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 $51 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 75.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 259.9% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 24.7 PassMark/$), 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 3600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012), 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 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 i7-3770S vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3770S

The Core i7-3770S 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,173 points. Launch price was $330.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-3770S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3770S versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-3770S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3770S scores 6,173 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 96.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 4,500 vs 9,500 (71.4% advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 694 vs 1,295, a 60.4% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,303 vs 1,898 (19.3% advantage for the Core i7-3770S). L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-3770S vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.2 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	32 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-68%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	6,173	17,685+186%
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,500	9,500+111%
Geekbench 6 Single	694	1,295+87%
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,303+21%	1,898

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3770S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3770S versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 3600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-3770S) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z77,H77,B75,Z68,P67,H67 (Core i7-3770S) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	LGA1155	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-3200+100%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	128 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3770S) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Core i7-3770S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3770S targets Budget, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4000	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Budget	Gaming/Budget Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-3770S was priced at $250, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($250 vs $199), Ryzen 5 3600 was $51 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3770S delivers 24.7 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 113% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$250	$199-20%
Performance per Dollar	24.7	88.9+260%
Release Date	2012	2019

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