Pentium D1508 vs Ryzen 5 3600

Intel

Pentium D1508

2 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2015
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Pentium D1508 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.

Pentium D1508 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.

Pentium D1508 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.

Pentium D1508

2015

Why buy it

  • Costs $93 less on MSRP ($106 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • Draws 25W instead of 65W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (3,240 vs 17,685).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 30.6 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($106 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +206.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +966.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 3 MB).
  • Delivers 190.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 30.6 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $106 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium D1508.

Trade-offs

  • 87.7% HIGHER MSRP
    $199 MSRPvs$106 MSRP
  • 160% higher power demand at 65W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Pentium D1508?
Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 206.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 445.8% 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 206.9% 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 445.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 966.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 3 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 87.7% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $106 MSRP, and it still gives you a 206.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 190.7% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 30.6 PassMark/$), 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 2015), 966.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium D1508 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Pentium D1508

The Pentium D1508 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1667. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,240 points. Launch price was $69.

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 Pentium D1508 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Pentium D1508 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 47.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Pentium D1508 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium D1508 scores 3,240 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 138.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Pentium D1508 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

FeaturePentium D1508Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock
2.6 GHz
4.2 GHz+62%
Base Clock
2.2 GHz
3.6 GHz+64%
L3 Cache
3 MB
32 MB (total)+967%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
Process
14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture
NetBurst (2000−2006)
Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark
3,240
17,685+446%
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,898
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Memory & Platform

The Pentium D1508 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium D1508Ryzen 5 3600
Socket
FCBGA1667
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
No
PCIe Lanes
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium D1508) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

FeaturePentium D1508Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
Yes
Target Use
Gaming/Budget Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium D1508 was priced at $106, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($106 vs $199), Pentium D1508 was $93 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium D1508 delivers 30.6 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 97.6% better value option.

FeaturePentium D1508Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP
$106-47%
$199
Performance per Dollar
30.6
88.9+191%
Release Date
2015
2019

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