Ryzen 5 240 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 5 240 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 5 240 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 5 240

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 240.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 240 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,685 vs 23,167).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 240 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 240 moves to FP8 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 240 better than Ryzen 5 3600?

Yes. Ryzen 5 240 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 31% 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 5 240 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.2% 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 5 240 is the stronger fit. You are getting 31% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 5 240 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 5 240 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 5 240 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FP8 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen 5 240 vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 5 240

The Ryzen 5 240 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 23,167 points. Launch price was $299.

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

Both the Ryzen 5 240 and Ryzen 5 3600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 240 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 17.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 240 (base: 4.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 240 uses the Hawk Point (2024−2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 240 scores 23,167 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 26.8% lead for the Ryzen 5 240. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 240 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Ryzen 5 240	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5 GHz+19%	4.2 GHz
Base Clock	4.3 GHz+19%	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	4 nm-43%	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Hawk Point (2024−2025)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	23,167+31%	17,685
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 240 uses the FP8 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 5 240	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	FP8	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 5 240) / 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 5 240	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 5 240 was priced at $0, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($0 vs $199), Ryzen 5 240 was $199 cheaper.

Feature	Ryzen 5 240	Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP	$0-100%	$199
Performance per Dollar	—	88.9
Release Date	2025	2019

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