Ryzen 5 5500 vs Ryzen 7 3700X

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 7 3700X 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 7 3700X: 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 $170 less on MSRP ($159 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Delivers 78.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 121.5 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($159 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,311 vs 22,430).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +30.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 68.2 vs 121.5 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $159 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Ryzen 5 5500?

Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 30.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 16.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 30.9% 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 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 16.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 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 7 3700X is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5500 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in 106.9% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $159 MSRP, and it still gives you a 30.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5500 is also 78.1% better value on MSRP (121.5 vs 68.2 PassMark/$), 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 5500 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 5500 vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. 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: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5500 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 3700X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5500 uses the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5500 scores 19,311 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 14.9% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Ryzen 5 5500 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5500	Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.4 GHz+5%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB	32 MB+100%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Cezanne (2021−2025)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	19,311	22,430+16%

🧠

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 AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

Feature	Ryzen 5 5500	Ryzen 7 3700X
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

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5500) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5500 targets Desktop.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5500	Ryzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 5500 was priced at $159, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($159 vs $329), Ryzen 5 5500 was $170 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5500 delivers 121.5 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 5 5500 the 56.2% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5500	Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP	$159-52%	$329
Performance per Dollar	121.5+78%	68.2
Release Date	2022	2019

Search Ryzen 5 5500 on Amazon

Search Ryzen 7 3700X on Amazon

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.