Ryzen 5 3600 vs Ryzen 5 4500

CPU

GPU

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Ryzen 5 4500

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Ryzen 5 3600 vs Ryzen 5 4500 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 3600

6 / 12

17,685

+10.2%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen 5 4500

6 / 12

16,049

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 3600 vs Ryzen 5 4500 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 3600 vs Ryzen 5 4500: 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 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 88.9 vs 124.4 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $129 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 4500

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $70 less on MSRP ($129 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 40.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 124.4 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($129 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,433 vs 9,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Ryzen 5 4500?

Yes. Ryzen 5 3600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 20.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 12.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 10.2% higher 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 20.2% 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 3600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 12.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 5 4500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in 54.3% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $129 MSRP, and it still gives you a 20.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 4500 is also 40.0% better value on MSRP (124.4 vs 88.9 PassMark/$), 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 5 4500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 5 3600 vs Ryzen 5 4500 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Ryzen 5 4500

The Ryzen 5 4500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Renoir (2020−2023) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 16,049 points. Launch price was $129.

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Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 5 3600 and Ryzen 5 4500 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus 4.1 GHz on the Ryzen 5 4500 — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Ryzen 5 4500 uses Renoir (2020−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3600 scores 17,685 against the Ryzen 5 4500's 16,049 — a 9.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 9,500 vs 8,433 (11.9% advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,295 vs 1,560, a 18.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 4500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,898 vs 6,235 (106.7% advantage for the Ryzen 5 4500). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600 vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 4500.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Ryzen 5 4500
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+2%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)+300%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512 kB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Matisse (2019−2020)	Renoir (2020−2023)
PassMark	17,685+10%	16,049
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,500+13%	8,433
Geekbench 6 Single	1,295	1,560+20%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,898	6,235+229%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 4.0. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) vs 16 (Ryzen 5 4500) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600) and A320,B450,X570,B550 (Ryzen 5 4500).

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Ryzen 5 4500
Socket	AM4	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	24+50%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: Yes (Ryzen 5 3600) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 4500). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation, Ryzen 5 4500 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400; Ryzen 5 4500 rivals Core i5-10400F.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Ryzen 5 4500
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	AMD-V
Target Use	Gaming/Budget Workstation	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 3600 was priced at $199, while the Ryzen 5 4500 came in at $129. On launch pricing ($199 vs $129), Ryzen 5 4500 was $70 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 3600 delivers 88.9 pts/$ vs 124.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 4500 — making the Ryzen 5 4500 the 33.3% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Ryzen 5 4500
MSRP	$199	$129-35%
Performance per Dollar	88.9	124.4+40%
Release Date	2019	2022

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