Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 PRO 1600

6 / 12

11,875

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 / 16

22,430

+88.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen 9 9900X3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

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 PRO 1600 vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 PRO 1600 vs Ryzen 7 3700X: 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 PRO 1600

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $110 less on MSRP ($219 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (11,875 vs 22,430).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 54.2 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($219 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +55.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Delivers 25.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 54.2 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $219 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
50.2% HIGHER MSRP
$329 MSRPvs$219 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Ryzen 5 PRO 1600?

Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 55.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 88.9% 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 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 55.6% 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 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 88.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 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 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in 50.2% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $219 MSRP, and it still gives you a 55.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 25.7% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 54.2 PassMark/$), 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 7 3700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017), 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 5 PRO 1600

The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 11,875 points. Launch price was $149.

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.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 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 3.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 20% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 scores 11,875 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 61.5% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

Feature	Ryzen 5 PRO 1600	Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.4 GHz+22%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	32 MB+100%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Zen (2017−2020)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	11,875	22,430+89%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Ryzen 5 PRO 1600	Ryzen 7 3700X
Socket	AM4	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	24

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 was priced at $219, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($219 vs $329), Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 was $110 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 delivers 54.2 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 22.8% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 PRO 1600	Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP	$219-33%	$329
Performance per Dollar	54.2	68.2+26%
Release Date	2017	2019

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