Ryzen 5 3400G vs Ryzen 5 3600

AMD

Ryzen 5 3400G

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Ryzen 5 3400G vs Ryzen 5 3600 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 3400G 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 3400G 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 3400G

2019

Why buy it

  • Costs $50 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (9,201 vs 17,685).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 61.8 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Ryzen 5 3600

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +30.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Delivers 43.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 61.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 3400G.

Trade-offs

  • 33.6% HIGHER MSRP
    $199 MSRPvs$149 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Ryzen 5 3400G?
Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 30.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 92.2% 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 3600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 30.0% 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 92.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in 33.6% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $149 MSRP, and it still gives you a 30.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 43.9% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 61.8 PassMark/$), 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 3600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 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 3400G vs Ryzen 5 3600 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 3400G

The Ryzen 5 3400G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 9,201 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

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.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 3400G 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 5 3400G versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3400G uses the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture (12 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3400G scores 9,201 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 63.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3400G vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

FeatureRyzen 5 3400GRyzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock
4.2 GHz
4.2 GHz
Base Clock
3.7 GHz+3%
3.6 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+700%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
12 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-42%
Architecture
Picasso (2019−2022)
Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark
9,201
17,685+92%
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,898
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0.

FeatureRyzen 5 3400GRyzen 5 3600
Socket
AM4
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 5 3400G) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

FeatureRyzen 5 3400GRyzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
Yes
Target Use
Gaming/Budget Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 3400G was priced at $149, while the Ryzen 5 3600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($149 vs $199), Ryzen 5 3400G was $50 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 3400G delivers 61.8 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 36% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 5 3400GRyzen 5 3600
MSRP
$149-25%
$199
Performance per Dollar
61.8
88.9+44%
Release Date
2019
2019

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