Ryzen 5 5500 vs Ryzen 5 5600

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 5500 vs Ryzen 5 5600 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 5500 vs Ryzen 5 5600: 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 5500

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $40 less on MSRP ($159 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Delivers 12.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 121.5 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($159 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,311 vs 21,550).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Ryzen 5 5500.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 108.3 vs 121.5 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $159 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Ryzen 5 5500?

Yes. Ryzen 5 5600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 11.6% 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 5600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.9% 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 5600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 11.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 5 5600 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 5 5600 comes in 25.2% more expensive on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $159 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5500 is also 12.2% better value on MSRP (121.5 vs 108.3 PassMark/$), 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 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 5 5500 vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 5 5500

The Ryzen 5 5500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 19,311 points. Launch price was $159.

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 5 5600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5500 uses the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5500 scores 19,311 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 11% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Ryzen 5 5500 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5500	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.4 GHz+5%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB	32 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Cezanne (2021−2025)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	19,311	21,550+12%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,052
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,600

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 24 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series (Ryzen 5 5500) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

Feature	Ryzen 5 5500	Ryzen 5 5600
Socket	AM4	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	24

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5500 targets Desktop, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5500	Ryzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 5500 was priced at $159, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($159 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5500 was $40 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5500 delivers 121.5 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5500 the 11.5% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5500	Ryzen 5 5600
MSRP	$159-20%	$199
Performance per Dollar	121.5+12%	108.3
Release Date	2022	2022

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