Ryzen 5 5600X vs Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X

Ryzen 5 5600X vs Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 5600X

6 / 12

21,845

+40.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X

8 / 16

15,570

0.0%

Ryzen 3 7320U

FX-9590

Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U

Ryzen Embedded V3C18I

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX

Ryzen 9 8940HX

Ryzen 9 9950X3D

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 PRO 1700X 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 PRO 1700X: 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: +9.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
✅Delivers 87.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 39.0 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (15,570 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 39.0 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($399 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 40.3% 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 9.9% 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 5 5600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 40.3% 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 $100 cheaper on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $399 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 87.2% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 39.0 PassMark/$), 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 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 PRO 1700X 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 PRO 1700X

The Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 15,570 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5600X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X versus 3.8 GHz on the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X — a 19% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600X uses the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600X scores 21,845 against the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X's 15,570 — a 33.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600X	Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+21%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+9%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB+100%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)	Zen (2017−2020)
PassMark	21,845+40%	15,570

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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 PRO 1700X — the Ryzen 5 5600X supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 24 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600X	Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X
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+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	24

🔧

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 PRO 1700X targets Desktop.

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

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 5600X was priced at $299, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X came in at $399. On launch pricing ($299 vs $399), Ryzen 5 5600X was $100 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600X delivers 73.1 pts/$ vs 39.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 60.7% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 5600X	Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X
MSRP	$299-25%	$399
Performance per Dollar	73.1+87%	39.0
Release Date	2020	2017

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