FX-9370 vs Ryzen 5 3600

AMD

FX-9370

8 Cores8 Thrd220 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2013
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

FX-9370 vs Ryzen 5 3600 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.

FX-9370 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.

FX-9370 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.

FX-9370

2013

Why buy it

  • Costs $157 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • Delivers 70.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 151.8 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (6,374 vs 17,685).
  • 238.5% higher power demand at 220W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +49.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 65W instead of 220W, a 155W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike FX-9370.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 88.9 vs 151.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than FX-9370?
Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 49.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 177.5% 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 3600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 49.4% 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 3600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 177.5% 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 still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in 373.8% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $42 MSRP, and it still gives you a 49.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. FX-9370 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 70.8% better value on paper (151.8 vs 88.9 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.
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 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

FX-9370 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

FX-9370

The FX-9370 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 July 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 220 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,374 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

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 FX-9370 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the FX-9370 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the FX-9370 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 11.2% clock advantage for the FX-9370 (base: 4.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The FX-9370 uses the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the FX-9370 scores 6,374 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 94% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureFX-9370Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads
8 / 8+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.7 GHz+12%
4.2 GHz
Base Clock
4.4 GHz+22%
3.6 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB (total)
L2 Cache
8192 kB+1500%
512K (per core)
Process
32 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-78%
Architecture
Vishera (2012−2015)
Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark
6,374
17,685+177%
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,898
🧠

Memory & Platform

The FX-9370 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureFX-9370Ryzen 5 3600
Socket
AM3+
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 4.0+100%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (FX-9370) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

FeatureFX-9370Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
Yes
Target Use
Gaming/Budget Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the FX-9370 was priced at $42, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($42 vs $199), FX-9370 was $157 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-9370 delivers 151.8 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the FX-9370 the 52.3% better value option.

FeatureFX-9370Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP
$42-79%
$199
Performance per Dollar
151.8+71%
88.9
Release Date
2013
2019

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