Ryzen 3 3300X vs Ryzen 5 3600

Ryzen 3 3300X vs Ryzen 5 3600 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 3 3300X

4 / 8

13,425

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen 5 3600

6 / 12

17,685

+31.7%

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.

Ryzen 3 3300X 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.

Ryzen 3 3300X 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.

Ryzen 3 3300X

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $79 less on MSRP ($120 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 25.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($120 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,425 vs 17,685).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 3 3300X.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 88.9 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $120 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Ryzen 3 3300X?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 31.7% 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 13.1% 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 31.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 5 3600 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 3 3300X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in 65.8% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $120 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 3 3300X is also 25.9% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 88.9 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Ryzen 3 3300X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 3 3300X vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 3 3300X

The Ryzen 3 3300X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 16 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: 13,425 points. Launch price was $120.

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 Ryzen 3 3300X packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 3 3300X versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 3300X (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 3 3300X uses the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 3 3300X scores 13,425 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 27.4% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 3300X vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Ryzen 3 3300X	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+2%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+6%	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	13,425	17,685+32%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 24 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 3 3300X) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).

Feature	Ryzen 3 3300X	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	AM4	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	24	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 3 3300X) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Ryzen 3 3300X	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes
Target Use	—	Gaming/Budget Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 3 3300X was priced at $120, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($120 vs $199), Ryzen 3 3300X was $79 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 3 3300X delivers 111.9 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 3 3300X the 22.9% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 3 3300X	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$120-40%	$199
Performance per Dollar	111.9+26%	88.9
Release Date	2020	2019

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