CPU
GPU
Ryzen 5 1600
Ryzen 5 2600E
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Ryzen 5 1600 is positioned at rank #378 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 1600
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 1600 | Ryzen 5 2600E |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($144) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Zen 2 (2017−2020) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Zen+ (2018−2019) / 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 1600 | Ryzen 5 2600E |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($144) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 1600 and Ryzen 5 2600E
Ryzen 5 1600
The Ryzen 5 1600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 12,261 points. Launch price was $219.
Ryzen 5 2600E
The Ryzen 5 2600E 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 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: 12,346 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
Both the Ryzen 5 1600 and Ryzen 5 2600E share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 1600 versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2600E — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 2600E (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Ryzen 5 1600 uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2600E uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 1600 scores 12,261 against the Ryzen 5 2600E's 12,346 — a 0.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 2600E. Both processors carry 16 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 1600 | Ryzen 5 2600E |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 4 GHz+11% |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+3% | 3.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total) | 16 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 12 nm-14% |
| Architecture | Zen 2 (2017−2020) | Zen+ (2018−2019) |
| PassMark | 12,261 | 12,346 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 1600 | Ryzen 5 2600E |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | — |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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