N100 vs Ryzen 5 3600

CPU

GPU

N100

4 Cores4 Thrd6 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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N100 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

N100

4 / 4

5,355

0.0%

17,685

+230.3%

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.

N100 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.

N100 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.

N100

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $71 less on MSRP ($128 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Draws 6W instead of 65W, a 59W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,355 vs 17,685).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 41.8 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($128 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +122.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Delivers 112.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 41.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $128 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike N100.

Trade-offs

❌
55.5% HIGHER MSRP
$199 MSRPvs$128 MSRP
❌983.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 6W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while N100 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than N100?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 122.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 230.3% better PassMark, 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 122.6% 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 230.3% 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 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in 55.5% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $128 MSRP, and it still gives you a 122.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 112.4% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 41.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

N100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

N100 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

N100

The N100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 5,355 points. Launch price was $149.

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.

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Processing Power

The N100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the N100 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600. The Ryzen 5 3600 is built on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the N100 scores 5,355 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 107% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N100 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	N100	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.2 GHz+24%
Base Clock	—	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache	32 MB (total)+433%
L2 Cache	—	512K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	—	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	5,355	17,685+230%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The N100 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	N100	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	FCBGA1264	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	24

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (N100) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	N100	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes
Target Use	—	Gaming/Budget Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the N100 was priced at $128, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($128 vs $199), N100 was $71 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the N100 delivers 41.8 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 72% better value option.

Feature	N100	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$128-36%	$199
Performance per Dollar	41.8	88.9+113%
Release Date	2023	2019

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