Ryzen 3 5300G vs Ryzen 5 3500X

AMD

Ryzen 3 5300G

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2021
Ryzen family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 3500X

6 Cores6 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Ryzen 3 5300G vs Ryzen 5 3500X 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 5300G vs Ryzen 5 3500X 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 5300G vs Ryzen 5 3500X: 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 5300G

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +12.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $25 less on MSRP ($130 MSRP vs $155 MSRP).
  • Delivers 18.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 100.4 vs 84.9 PassMark/$ ($130 MSRP vs $155 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (13,050 vs 13,165).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 5 3500X

2019

Why buy it

  • +0.9% higher PassMark.
  • +300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 3 5300G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 84.9 vs 100.4 PassMark/$ ($155 MSRP vs $130 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 5300G better than Ryzen 5 3500X?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 3 5300G is ahead with a 12.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 3500X pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 3500X also has the bigger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 3500X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 3 5300G is the better buy right now. Ryzen 3 5300G comes in $25 cheaper on MSRP at $130 MSRP versus $155 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 3500X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 18.2% better value on MSRP (100.4 vs 84.9 PassMark/$), 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 5300G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 3 5300G vs Ryzen 5 3500X Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 3 5300G

The Ryzen 3 5300G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 13 April 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. 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: 13,050 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

Ryzen 5 3500X

The Ryzen 5 3500X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 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: 13,165 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 3 5300G packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3500X offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Ryzen 5 3500X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 3 5300G versus 4.1 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3500X — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 5300G (base: 4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 3 5300G uses the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3500X uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 3 5300G scores 13,050 against the Ryzen 5 3500X's 13,165 — a 0.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 3500X. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Ryzen 3 5300G vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3500X.

FeatureRyzen 3 5300GRyzen 5 3500X
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock
4.2 GHz+2%
4.1 GHz
Base Clock
4 GHz+11%
3.6 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB
32 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
7 nm
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Cezanne (2021−2025)
Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark
13,050
13,165
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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 4.0.

FeatureRyzen 3 5300GRyzen 5 3500X
Socket
AM4
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 3 5300G was priced at $130, while the Ryzen 5 3500X came in at $155. On launch pricing ($130 vs $155), Ryzen 3 5300G was $25 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 3 5300G delivers 100.4 pts/$ vs 84.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3500X — making the Ryzen 3 5300G the 16.7% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 3 5300GRyzen 5 3500X
MSRP
$130-16%
$155
Performance per Dollar
100.4+18%
84.9
Release Date
2021
2019

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