Ryzen 3 1200 vs Ryzen 5 5600
Ryzen 3 1200
Ryzen 5 5600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Ryzen 3 1200 is positioned at rank #366 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 3 1200
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 3 1200 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($115) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Summit Ridge (Zen) (2017) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (2020−2025) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 3 1200 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+46%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($115) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 3 1200 and Ryzen 5 5600
Ryzen 3 1200
The Ryzen 3 1200 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Summit Ridge (Zen) (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,407 points. Launch price was $109.
Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 3 1200 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Ryzen 3 1200 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 25.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 3 1200 uses the Summit Ridge (Zen) (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 3 1200 scores 6,407 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 108.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 3,013 vs 11,077 (114.5% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,000 vs 2,052, a 68.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 3,000 vs 8,600 (96.6% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 1200 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Ryzen 3 1200 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz | 4.4 GHz+29% |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz | 3.5 GHz+13% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 32 MB (total)+300% |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Summit Ridge (Zen) (2017) | Vermeer (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 6,407 | 21,550+236% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 3,013 | 11,077+268% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,000 | 2,052+105% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,000 | 8,600+187% |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. The Ryzen 5 5600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 24 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370,B450,X470 (Ryzen 3 1200) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).
| Feature | Ryzen 3 1200 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | 24 |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Primary use case: Ryzen 3 1200 targets Budget, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Ryzen 3 1200 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Budget | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen 3 1200 launched at $109 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($50 vs $115), the Ryzen 3 1200 is $65 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 3 1200 delivers 128.1 pts/$ vs 187.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 37.6% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 3 1200 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $109-45% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-57% | $115 |
| Performance per Dollar | 128.1 | 187.4+46% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2022 |
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