Ryzen 5 5600X vs Ryzen 7 1700

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 5600X vs Ryzen 7 1700 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 5600X vs Ryzen 7 1700: 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 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.0% 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 73.1 vs 105.5 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $140 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 7 1700.

Ryzen 7 1700

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $159 less on MSRP ($140 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 44.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 105.5 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($140 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 5600X.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,772 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Ryzen 7 1700?

Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 21.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 47.9% 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 5600X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 21.0% 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 5600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 47.9% 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 5600X is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 1700 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 5 5600X comes in 113.6% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $140 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 7 1700 is also 44.4% better value on MSRP (105.5 vs 73.1 PassMark/$), 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 5600X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017), 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 5 5600X vs Ryzen 7 1700 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 7 1700

The Ryzen 7 1700 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16384 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,772 points. Launch price was $329.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5600X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 1700 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 1700 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X versus 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 1700 — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600X uses the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Ryzen 7 1700 uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600X scores 21,845 against the Ryzen 7 1700's 14,772 — a 38.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X vs 16384 kB on the Ryzen 7 1700.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600X	Ryzen 7 1700
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+24%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+23%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB+100%	16384 kB
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	4096 kB+700%
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)	Zen (2017−2020)
PassMark	21,845+48%	14,772
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,065
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,000
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,000

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 4.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X versus DDR4-2666 on the Ryzen 7 1700 — the Ryzen 5 5600X supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. 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,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X) and B350,X370,B450,X470,A520,B550,X570 (Ryzen 7 1700).

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600X	Ryzen 7 1700
Socket	AM4	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+20%	DDR4-2666
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 5600X targets Desktop, Ryzen 7 1700 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 1700 rivals Core i7-7700K.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600X	Ryzen 7 1700
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 5600X was priced at $299, while the Ryzen 7 1700 came in at $140. On launch pricing ($299 vs $140), Ryzen 7 1700 was $159 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600X delivers 73.1 pts/$ vs 105.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 1700 — making the Ryzen 7 1700 the 36.3% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600X	Ryzen 7 1700
MSRP	$299	$140-53%
Performance per Dollar	73.1	105.5+44%
Release Date	2020	2017

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