Ryzen 5 5600 vs Ryzen 9 PRO 3900

CPU

GPU

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Ryzen 9 PRO 3900

12 Cores24 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2019

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 5600 vs Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 5600

6 / 12

21,550

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen 9 PRO 3900

12 / 24

31,251

+45.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WX

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 5600 vs Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 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 5600 vs Ryzen 9 PRO 3900: 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 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅+21.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $300 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 72.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 62.6 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,077 vs 17,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen 9 PRO 3900

2019

Why buy it

✅+58% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,688 vs 2,052).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 62.6 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Ryzen 9 PRO 3900?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 5600 is ahead with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 pulls ahead with 58% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 is the stronger fit. You are getting 58% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 5600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600 comes in $300 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 58% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 72.9% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 62.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit 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 a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 5 5600 vs Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 Technical Specifications

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

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 9 PRO 3900

The Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 30 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 31,251 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 — a 2.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 uses Zen 2 (2017−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600 scores 21,550 against the Ryzen 9 PRO 3900's 31,251 — a 36.7% lead for the Ryzen 9 PRO 3900. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 11,077 vs 17,500 (45% advantage for the Ryzen 9 PRO 3900). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,052 vs 1,688, a 19.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,600 vs 10,000 (15.1% advantage for the Ryzen 9 PRO 3900). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 PRO 3900.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen 9 PRO 3900
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+2%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+13%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)	64 MB+100%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+8433%	6 MB
Process	7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (2020−2025)	Zen 2 (2017−2020)
PassMark	21,550	31,251+45%
Cinebench R23 Multi	11,077	17,500+58%
Geekbench 6 Single	2,052+22%	1,688
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,600	10,000+16%

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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 X570,B550,X470,B450 (Ryzen 9 PRO 3900).

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen 9 PRO 3900
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	Yes	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 5600 targets Desktop, Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 targets Professional Content Creation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 rivals Core i9-10900.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen 9 PRO 3900
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	Professional Content Creation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 5600 was priced at $199, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 came in at $499. On launch pricing ($199 vs $499), Ryzen 5 5600 was $300 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600 delivers 108.3 pts/$ vs 62.6 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 53.4% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600	Ryzen 9 PRO 3900
MSRP	$199-60%	$499
Performance per Dollar	108.3+73%	62.6
Release Date	2022	2019

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