Pentium Dual Core SU4100 vs Ryzen 5 3600

Intel

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 1.3 GHz2009
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Pentium Dual Core SU4100 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 Dual Core SU4100 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 Dual Core SU4100 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 Dual Core SU4100

2009

Why buy it

  • βœ…Costs $65 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 20 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (1,409 vs 17,685).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.5 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +484.2% higher average FPS across 20 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Delivers 745.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 10.5 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium Dual Core SU4100.

Trade-offs

  • ❌
    48.5% HIGHER MSRP
    $199 MSRPvs$134 MSRP
  • ❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Pentium Dual Core SU4100?
Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 484.2% average FPS lead across 20 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1155.1% 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 484.2% more average FPS across 20 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 1155.1% 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 48.5% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 484.2% average FPS lead across 20 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 745.2% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 10.5 PassMark/$), 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 2009) 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.

Pentium Dual Core SU4100 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

The Pentium Dual Core SU4100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000βˆ’2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,409 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 (2019βˆ’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 Dual Core SU4100 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads β€” the Ryzen 5 3600 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 β€” a 105.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600. The Pentium Dual Core SU4100 uses the NetBurst (2000βˆ’2006) architecture (45 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019βˆ’2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 scores 1,409 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 β€” a 170.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600.

FeaturePentium Dual Core SU4100Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock
1.3 GHz
4.2 GHz+223%
Base Clock
β€”
3.6 GHz
L3 Cache
β€”
32 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB
512K (per core)+25500%
Process
45 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-84%
Architecture
NetBurst (2000βˆ’2006)
Matisse (2019βˆ’2020)
PassMark
1,409
17,685+1155%
Cinebench R23 Multi
β€”
9,500
Geekbench 6 Single
β€”
1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi
β€”
1,898
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Dual Core SU4100 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium Dual Core SU4100Ryzen 5 3600
Socket
BGA956
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 4.0+264%
Max RAM Speed
β€”
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
β€”
128 GB
RAM Channels
β€”
2
ECC Support
β€”
No
PCIe Lanes
β€”
24
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium Dual Core SU4100) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

FeaturePentium Dual Core SU4100Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU
β€”
No
Unlocked
β€”
Yes
AVX-512
β€”
No
Virtualization
β€”
Yes
Target Use
β€”
Gaming/Budget Workstation
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 was priced at $134, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($134 vs $199), Pentium Dual Core SU4100 was $65 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 delivers 10.5 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 β€” making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 157.7% better value option.

FeaturePentium Dual Core SU4100Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP
$134-33%
$199
Performance per Dollar
10.5
88.9+747%
Release Date
2009
2019

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