Ryzen 3 5300G vs Ryzen 5 3600

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 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 5300G 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 5300G

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $69 less on MSRP ($130 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 13.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 100.4 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($130 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,050 vs 17,685).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 3 5300G.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 88.9 vs 100.4 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $130 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Ryzen 3 5300G?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 35.5% 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 14.4% 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 35.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 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 5 3600 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 3 5300G is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in 53.1% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $130 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 3 5300G is also 13.0% better value on MSRP (100.4 vs 88.9 PassMark/$), 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 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 3600 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 3 5300G 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 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 3 5300G versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — identical boost frequencies (base: 4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 3 5300G uses the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 3 5300G scores 13,050 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 30.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Ryzen 3 5300G vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Ryzen 3 5300G	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.2 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	17,685+36%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 4.0.

Feature	Ryzen 3 5300G	Ryzen 5 3600
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	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	24

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 3 5300G) / 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 5300G	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes
Target Use	—	Gaming/Budget Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 3 5300G was priced at $130, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($130 vs $199), Ryzen 3 5300G was $69 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 3 5300G delivers 100.4 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 3 5300G the 12.2% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 3 5300G	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$130-35%	$199
Performance per Dollar	100.4+13%	88.9
Release Date	2021	2019

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