Ryzen 5 3600
Z-01
Ryzen 5 3600 vs Z-01 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 Z-01 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 Z-01: 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
- ✅Better for gaming: +3933.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Delivers 1966.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 88.9 vs 4.3 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
- ✅500% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Z-01.
Trade-offs
- ❌298% HIGHER MSRP$199 MSRPvs$50 MSRP
- ❌983.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 6W.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Z-01 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Z-01
2011Why buy it
- ✅Costs $149 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 6W instead of 65W, a 59W reduction.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6250, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (180 vs 1,898).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.3 vs 88.9 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 3600.
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Z-01?
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 Z-01 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.
Z-01
The Z-01 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Desna (2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3 Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 215 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 5 3600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Z-01 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus 1 GHz on the Z-01 — a 123.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600. The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Z-01 uses Desna (2011) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3600 scores 17,685 against the Z-01's 215 — a 195.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,295 vs 100, a 171.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,898 vs 180 (165.4% advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600 vs 0 kB on the Z-01.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 3600 | Z-01 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+200% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz+320% | 1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core)+51100% | 1 MB |
| Process | 7 nm, 12 nm-83% | 40 nm |
| Architecture | Matisse (2019−2020) | Desna (2011) |
| PassMark | 17,685+8126% | 215 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 9,500 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,295+1195% | 100 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,898+954% | 180 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Z-01 uses FT1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus DDR3-1066 on the Z-01 — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 200.2% 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 4 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 3600) vs 1 (Z-01). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) vs 4 (Z-01) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600) and Desna (Z-01).
| Feature | Ryzen 5 3600 | Z-01 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | FT1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+100% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200+200% | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+3100% | 4 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2+100% | 1 |
| ECC Support | No | No |
| PCIe Lanes | 24+500% | 4 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 3600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: Yes (Ryzen 5 3600) vs AMD-V (Z-01). The Z-01 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6250), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation, Z-01 targets Tablet/Netbook. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 3600 | Z-01 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon HD 6250 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Gaming/Budget Workstation | Tablet/Netbook |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Ryzen 5 3600 was priced at $199, while the Z-01 came in at $50. On launch pricing ($199 vs $50), Z-01 was $149 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 3600 delivers 88.9 pts/$ vs 4.3 pts/$ for the Z-01 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 181.5% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 3600 | Z-01 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199 | $50-75% |
| Performance per Dollar | 88.9+1967% | 4.3 |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2011 |
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