Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 5 5600X

AMD

Ryzen 5 1500X

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017
Ryzen family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 5 5600X 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 5 1500X vs Ryzen 5 5600X 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 5 1500X vs Ryzen 5 5600X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Ryzen 5 1500X

2017

Why buy it

  • Costs $110 less on MSRP ($189 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 5600X.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (9,074 vs 21,845).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.0 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($189 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +39.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Delivers 52.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 48.0 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $189 MSRP).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 58.2% HIGHER MSRP
    $299 MSRPvs$189 MSRP
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 1500X.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Ryzen 5 1500X?
Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 39.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 140.7% 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 5 5600X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 39.1% 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 5600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 140.7% 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 5600X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600X comes in 58.2% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $189 MSRP, and it still gives you a 39.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 52.2% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 48.0 PassMark/$), 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 5 5600X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017), 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 5 5600X Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 1500X

The Ryzen 5 1500X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16 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: 9,074 points. Launch price was $189.

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 1500X packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 5 1500X versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Ryzen 5 1500X uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 1500X scores 9,074 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 82.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 1500X vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
4.6 GHz+24%
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
3.7 GHz+6%
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
32 MB+100%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture
Zen (2017−2020)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
9,074
21,845+141%
Cinebench R23 Multi
4,641
Geekbench 6 Single
1,120
Geekbench 6 Multi
3,700
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Ryzen 5 1500X versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X — the Ryzen 5 5600X supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Ryzen 5 1500X) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370,B450,X470 (Ryzen 5 1500X) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 5 5600X
Socket
AM4
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
128 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 1500X targets Gaming, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 1500X rivals Core i5-7500.

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 1500X was priced at $189, while the Ryzen 5 5600X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($189 vs $299), Ryzen 5 1500X was $110 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 1500X delivers 48.0 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 41.4% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 5 5600X
MSRP
$189-37%
$299
Performance per Dollar
48.0
73.1+52%
Release Date
2017
2020

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