Ryzen 5 3600 vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019
Ryzen family
·······
VS
AMD

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

12 Cores24 Thrd28 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2025

Ryzen 5 3600 vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 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 AI 9 HX PRO 370 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 AI 9 HX PRO 370: 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

  • +100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Costs $301 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $500 MSRP).
  • Delivers 35.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 65.7 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $500 MSRP).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (17,685 vs 32,841).
  • 132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 moves to FP8 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 890M, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 65.7 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($500 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 better than Ryzen 5 3600?
Yes. Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 85.7% 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 AI 9 HX PRO 370 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.2% 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 AI 9 HX PRO 370 is the stronger fit. You are getting 85.7% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 comes in 151.3% more expensive on MSRP at $500 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3600 is also 35.3% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 65.7 PassMark/$), 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 AI 9 HX PRO 370 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 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen 5 3600 vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 Technical Specifications

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

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.

AMD

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

The Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Strix Point-HX PRO (Zen 5/5c) (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 32,841 points. Launch price was $499.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 3600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 — a 19.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 uses Strix Point-HX PRO (Zen 5/5c) (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3600 scores 17,685 against the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370's 32,841 — a 60% lead for the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600 vs 16 MB on the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370.

FeatureRyzen 5 3600Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock
4.2 GHz
5.1 GHz+21%
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+80%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB (total)+100%
16 MB
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+51100%
1 MB (per core)
Process
7 nm, 12 nm
4 nm-43%
Architecture
Matisse (2019−2020)
Strix Point-HX PRO (Zen 5/5c) (2025)
PassMark
17,685
32,841+86%
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,898
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus LPDDR5X-8000 on the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 — the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 supports 150% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 3600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) vs 20 (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureRyzen 5 3600Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370
Socket
AM4
FP8
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
LPDDR5X-8000+150%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+100%
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24+20%
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Ryzen 5 3600) vs AMD-V (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370). The Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 includes integrated graphics (Radeon 890M), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation, Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 targets Mobile Workstation / AI. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

FeatureRyzen 5 3600Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon 890M
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
Yes
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming/Budget Workstation
Mobile Workstation / AI
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 3600 was priced at $199, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 came in at $500. On launch pricing ($199 vs $500), Ryzen 5 3600 was $301 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 3600 delivers 88.9 pts/$ vs 65.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 30% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 5 3600Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370
MSRP
$199-60%
$500
Performance per Dollar
88.9+35%
65.7
Release Date
2019
2025

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.