Ryzen 3 3300X vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

AMD

Ryzen 3 3300X

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018
Similar parts
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Ryzen 3 3300X vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 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.

Ryzen 3 3300X vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 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 PRO 2600: 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

  • Better for gaming: +6.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $79 less on MSRP ($120 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • Delivers 67.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 67.0 PassMark/$ ($120 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

2018

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 3 3300X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (13,330 vs 13,425).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 67.0 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $120 MSRP).

    Quick Answers

    So, is Ryzen 3 3300X better than Ryzen 5 PRO 2600?
    Yes. Ryzen 3 3300X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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 3 3300X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.7% 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 3 3300X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Ryzen 3 3300X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 3 3300X comes in $79 cheaper on MSRP at $120 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 67.0% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 67.0 PassMark/$), 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 3 3300X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Ryzen 3 3300X vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    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.

    AMD

    Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

    The Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 September 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 13,330 points. Launch price was $149.

    Processing Power

    The Ryzen 3 3300X packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 3 3300X versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 3300X (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Ryzen 3 3300X uses the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 3 3300X scores 13,425 against the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600's 13,330 — a 0.7% lead for the Ryzen 3 3300X. Both processors carry 16 MB (total) of L3 cache.

    FeatureRyzen 3 3300XRyzen 5 PRO 2600
    Cores / Threads
    4 / 8
    6 / 12+50%
    Boost Clock
    4.3 GHz+10%
    3.9 GHz
    Base Clock
    3.8 GHz+12%
    3.4 GHz
    L3 Cache
    16 MB (total)
    16 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    512K (per core)
    512K (per core)
    Process
    7 nm-42%
    12 nm
    Architecture
    Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
    Zen+ (2018−2019)
    PassMark
    13,425
    13,330
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 4.0.

    FeatureRyzen 3 3300XRyzen 5 PRO 2600
    Socket
    AM4
    AM4
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 4.0+33%
    PCIe 3.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR4-3200
    Max RAM Capacity
    128 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    24
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Ryzen 3 3300X was priced at $120, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 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 67.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 — making the Ryzen 3 3300X the 50.2% better value option.

    FeatureRyzen 3 3300XRyzen 5 PRO 2600
    MSRP
    $120-40%
    $199
    Performance per Dollar
    111.9+67%
    67.0
    Release Date
    2020
    2018

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