Ryzen 5 5600 vs Ryzen 7 3700X
Ryzen 5 5600
Ryzen 7 3700X
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5600
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 7 3700X
Why is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Ryzen 5 5600?
The Ryzen 7 3700X and Ryzen 5 5600 represent the jump from Zen 2 to Zen 3, and for gamers, the difference is night and day. Despite having fewer cores, the 6-core Ryzen 5 5600 is significantly faster in gaming—often leading by 20% or more. This is due to the unified L3 cache design in Zen 3, which drastically reduces core-to-core latency, a critical factor for high-refresh-rate gaming.
The Ryzen 7 3700X with its 8 cores still holds its own in multi-threaded productivity tasks like video rendering, where the extra threads can be utilized. However, for a gaming-first PC, the Ryzen 5 5600 is the clear superior choice and a much better value. If you are on an older AM4 system with a 2000 or 3000 series chip, the switch to a 5600 is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make to breathe new life into your gaming rig.
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 5600 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($115) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (2020−2025) / 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 5600 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+17%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($115) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 5600 and Ryzen 7 3700X
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.
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 5600 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 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600 scores 21,550 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 4% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 8 / 16+33% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.6 GHz+3% |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB (total) | 32 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 7 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Architecture | Vermeer (2020−2025) | Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 21,550 | 22,430+4% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 11,077 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,052 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 8,600 | — |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 4.0. 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: B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200 | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | 24 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen 5 5600 launched at $199 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 3700X debuted at $329. At current prices ($115 vs $140), the Ryzen 5 5600 is $25 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600 delivers 187.4 pts/$ vs 160.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 15.6% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199-40% | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $115-18% | $140 |
| Performance per Dollar | 187.4+17% | 160.2 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2019 |
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