
Ryzen 5 3600

Ryzen 7 8700G
Ryzen 5 3600 vs Ryzen 7 8700G 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 3600 vs Ryzen 7 8700G 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.

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Valorant

Among Us

Apex Legends

ARC Raiders

Baldur's Gate 3

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Ryzen 5 3600 vs Ryzen 7 8700G: 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
2019Why buy it
- ✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
- ✅Costs $130 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
- ✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 8700G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,500 vs 18,000).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 88.9 vs 96.2 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
- ❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 8700G moves to AM5 and DDR5.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 8700G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Ryzen 7 8700G
2024Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +26.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Delivers 8.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 96.2 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
- ✅Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 780M, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
- ❌65.3% HIGHER MSRP$329 MSRPvs$199 MSRP
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 7 8700G better than Ryzen 5 3600?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 3600 vs Ryzen 7 8700G 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 7 8700G
The Ryzen 7 8700G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Phoenix (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 31,649 points. Launch price was $329.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 5 3600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 8700G offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 8700G has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 8700G — a 19.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 8700G (base: 3.6 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Ryzen 7 8700G uses Phoenix (2023−2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3600 scores 17,685 against the Ryzen 7 8700G's 31,649 — a 56.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 8700G. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 9,500 vs 18,000 (61.8% advantage for the Ryzen 7 8700G). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,295 vs 2,720, a 71% lead for the Ryzen 7 8700G that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,898 vs 14,326 (153.2% advantage for the Ryzen 7 8700G). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600 vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 8700G.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 3600 | Ryzen 7 8700G |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 8 / 16+33% |
| Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz | 5.1 GHz+21% |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz | 4.2 GHz+17% |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB (total)+100% | 16 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core)+51100% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 7 nm, 12 nm | 4 nm-43% |
| Architecture | Matisse (2019−2020) | Phoenix (2023−2024) |
| PassMark | 17,685 | 31,649+79% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 9,500 | 18,000+89% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,295 | 2,720+110% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,898 | 14,326+655% |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 8700G uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 8700G — the Ryzen 7 8700G supports 62.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 8700G supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) vs 20 (Ryzen 7 8700G) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600) and X670,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 8700G).
| Feature | Ryzen 5 3600 | Ryzen 7 8700G |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | AM5 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200 | DDR5-5200+63% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 256 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | No | No |
| PCIe Lanes | 24+20% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen 7 8700G supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Ryzen 5 3600) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 8700G). The Ryzen 7 8700G includes integrated graphics (Radeon 780M), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation, Ryzen 7 8700G targets High-end Desktop APU. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400; Ryzen 7 8700G rivals Core i7-13700.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 3600 | Ryzen 7 8700G |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon 780M |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | Yes | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Gaming/Budget Workstation | High-end Desktop APU |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Ryzen 5 3600 was priced at $199, while the Ryzen 7 8700G came in at $329. On launch pricing ($199 vs $329), Ryzen 5 3600 was $130 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 3600 delivers 88.9 pts/$ vs 96.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 8700G — making the Ryzen 7 8700G the 7.9% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 3600 | Ryzen 7 8700G |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199-40% | $329 |
| Performance per Dollar | 88.9 | 96.2+8% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2024 |
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