E-300 vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

E-300

2 Cores2 Thrd18 WWMax: 1.3 GHz2011

Similar parts

·······

Buy on Amazon

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

·······

Buy on Amazon

E-300 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

E-300

2 / 2

1,176

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen 5 3600

6 / 12

17,685

+1403.8%

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.

E-300 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.

E-300 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.

E-300

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $139 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6310, 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 (1,176 vs 17,685).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.6 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +608.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 353.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 19.6 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike E-300.

Trade-offs

❌
231.7% HIGHER MSRP
$199 MSRPvs$60 MSRP
❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.
❌No integrated graphics, while E-300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than E-300?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 608.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1403.8% 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 3600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 608.6% 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 1403.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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 231.7% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $60 MSRP, and it still gives you a 608.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 353.4% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 19.6 PassMark/$), 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 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

E-300 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

E-300

The E-300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 22 August 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zacate (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,176 points. Launch price was $69.

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 E-300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the E-300 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 105.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600. The E-300 uses the Zacate (2011−2013) architecture (40 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the E-300 scores 1,176 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 175.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 0 kB on the E-300 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	E-300	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	1.3 GHz	4.2 GHz+223%
Base Clock	—	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	40 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-83%
Architecture	Zacate (2011−2013)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	1,176	17,685+1404%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

🧠

Memory & Platform

The E-300 uses the FT1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the E-300 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 200.2% 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 8 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (E-300) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 3600). PCIe lanes: 0 (E-300) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	E-300	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	FT1	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 4.0+100%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR4-3200+200%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	128 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (E-300) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The E-300 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6310), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: E-300 targets Budget Mobile, Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	E-300	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon HD 6310	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	Yes
Target Use	Budget Mobile	Gaming/Budget Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the E-300 was priced at $60, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($60 vs $199), E-300 was $139 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the E-300 delivers 19.6 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 127.7% better value option.

Feature	E-300	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$60-70%	$199
Performance per Dollar	19.6	88.9+354%
Release Date	2011	2019

Search E-300 on Amazon

Search Ryzen 5 3600 on Amazon

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.