Ryzen 5 5600X vs Ryzen 7 2700E

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020
VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 2700E

8 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 4 GHz2018

Ryzen 5 5600X vs Ryzen 7 2700E Performance Spectrum

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 5600X vs Ryzen 7 2700E 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 2700E: 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

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +13.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
  • βœ…Costs $30 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 64.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 44.6 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Ryzen 7 2700E

2018

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (14,657 vs 21,845).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 44.6 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Ryzen 7 2700E?
Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 49% 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 13.0% 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 49% 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 the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600X comes in $30 cheaper on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 64.0% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 44.6 PassMark/$), 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 5600X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018), 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 2700E Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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) (2020βˆ’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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 2700E

The Ryzen 7 2700E is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 September 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018βˆ’2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 14,657 points. Launch price was $149.

⚑

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5600X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 2700E offers 8 cores / 16 threads β€” the Ryzen 7 2700E has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 2700E β€” a 14% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600X uses the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020βˆ’2022) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Ryzen 7 2700E uses Zen+ (2018βˆ’2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600X scores 21,845 against the Ryzen 7 2700E's 14,657 β€” a 39.4% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 2700E.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600XRyzen 7 2700E
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz+15%
4 GHz
Base Clock
3.7 GHz+32%
2.8 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB+100%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
7 nm, 12 nm-42%
12 nm
Architecture
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020βˆ’2022)
Zen+ (2018βˆ’2019)
PassMark
21,845+49%
14,657
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 4.0.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600XRyzen 7 2700E
Socket
AM4
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
Yes
β€”
PCIe Lanes
24
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X) / not specified (Ryzen 7 2700E). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600XRyzen 7 2700E
Integrated GPU
No
β€”
Unlocked
Yes
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
AMD-V
β€”
Target Use
Desktop
β€”
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 5600X was priced at $299, while the Ryzen 7 2700E came in at $329. On launch pricing ($299 vs $329), Ryzen 5 5600X was $30 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600X delivers 73.1 pts/$ vs 44.6 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 2700E β€” making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 48.5% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600XRyzen 7 2700E
MSRP
$299-9%
$329
Performance per Dollar
73.1+64%
44.6
Release Date
2020
2018

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