Ryzen 5 3600 Vs Ryzen 5 5600X: We Tested Both

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Abde Manaf

At Tech4Gamers, I began as a comparison writer, analyzing GPU and CPU performance. Now, I focus on writing reviews and contributing to the best-ofs section, sharing personal insights after hands-on testing.

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Pros And Cons

Comparison Table

Architectural Differences

1. Clock Speed: Ryzen 5 3600 has a base clock of 3.6GHz with a boost of up to 4.2GHz, whereas Ryzen 5 5600X has a higher base clock of 3.7GHz with a boost of up to 4.6GHz.
2. L3 Cache: Both processors feature a shared 32MB L3 cache.
3. Memory Support: Ryzen 5 3600 supports DDR4-3200 memory, while Ryzen 5 5600X exclusively supports DDR4-3200 memory.
4. Integrated Graphics: Both processors lack integrated graphics processing units, requiring a discrete graphics card for graphical output.

Gaming Benchmarks – 1080p 

Below, you’ll find the Ryzen 5 3600 vs 5600x benchmarks in different games and applications. No doubt, testing processors on various games and applications is one of the best ways to find out which one outperforms the other. For testing the Ryzen 5 3600 and Ryzen 5 5600x, the following equipment was used by Tech4Gamers.

Testing Rig

• Motherboard: Gigabyte X570 Aorus Pro Wifi
• Graphics Card: MSI GeForce RTX 3090 
• CPU Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360
• Thermal Paste: Noctua NT-H2 
• SSD: Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus G 2TB
• PSU: DeepCool PX1000G ATX3.0 PSU

If you wish to look at the processor outside the context of this comparison, read our review of the AMD Ryzen 5 3600.

Shadow Of The Tomb Raider

• While testing Shadow of The Tomb Raider, the Ryzen 5 5600X demonstrated an average of 161 FPS, surpassing the Ryzen 5 3600’s average of 133 FPS.
• Additionally, the 1% lows of the Ryzen 5 5600X were notably higher at 112 FPS compared to the Ryzen 5 3600’s 101 FPS, indicating smoother performance overall.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

• While testing Microsoft Flight Simulator, the Ryzen 5 5600X showcased an average of 62 FPS, outperforming the Ryzen 5 3600’s average of 49 FPS.
• Moreover, the 1% lows of the Ryzen 5 5600X stood at 52 FPS, surpassing the Ryzen 5 3600’s 41 FPS, indicating smoother performance during demanding moments of gameplay.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

• While testing Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the Ryzen 5 5600X exhibited an average of 102 FPS, slightly outperforming the Ryzen 5 3600, which managed 99 FPS on average.
• As for the 1% lows, the Ryzen 5 5600X maintained a higher minimum framerate of 73 FPS compared to the Ryzen 5 3600’s 70 FPS, ensuring smoother gameplay during demanding moments.

Death Stranding

• In our test of Death Stranding, the Ryzen 5 5600X showcased a remarkable average of 220 FPS, surpassing the Ryzen 5 3600’s 154 FPS.
• The Ryzen 5 5600X maintained higher 1% lows at 154 FPS compared to the Ryzen 5 3600’s 118 FPS in our Death Stranding test, ensuring smoother and more consistent gameplay. 

Battlefield V

• In our test of Battlefield V, the Ryzen 5 5600X delivered an average of 199 FPS, slightly surpassing the Ryzen 5 3600’s 193 FPS. Overall, both CPUs offer comparable performance in terms of average FPS.
• However, the 1% lows for the Ryzen 5 5600X stood at 124 FPS, showing a slight improvement over the Ryzen 5 3600’s 123 FPS.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• While testing Red Dead Redemption 2, the Ryzen 5 5600X showcased a superior average of 160 FPS compared to the Ryzen 5 3600’s 128 FPS, indicating better overall performance.
• As for the 1% lows, the Ryzen 5 5600X maintained a higher minimum framerate of 109 FPS, outperforming the Ryzen 5 3600’s 97 FPS.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege 

• While testing Rainbow Six Siege, the Ryzen 5 5600X demonstrated an impressive average of 501 FPS, surpassing the Ryzen 5 3600’s with 404 FPS, indicating superior overall performance.
• Regarding the 1% lows, the Ryzen 5 5600X maintained a significantly higher minimum framerate of 342 FPS compared to the Ryzen 5 3600’s 238 FPS.

Far Cry New Dawn

• While testing Far Cry New Dawn, the Ryzen 5 5600X exhibited a superior average of 130 FPS, outpacing the Ryzen 5 3600’s 104 FPS, highlighting its enhanced overall performance.
• As for the 1% lows, the Ryzen 5 5600X maintained a notably higher minimum framerate of 85 FPS compared to the Ryzen 5 3600’s 71 FPS.

Overall Gaming Performance

Out of all the 8 games tested, the benchmarks made it clear that the 5600X is better than 3600 by a landslide. It beat the 3600 in every single test we conducted here. By statistics, we can conclude that the 5600X was 23.97% faster than the 3600 on average FPS on 1080p resolution.

Total Power Draw

The 5600x was 15% faster at stock but used less power than the Ryzen 5 3600 which is quite impressive. On the other hand, with overclocked settings, the 5600x was consuming more power but not a huge performance boost was obtained as it was only 18% faster than the 3600.

Price And Availability 

The going price of the Ryzen 5 5600X is around $156, whereas the Ryzen 5 3600 can be had for a much cheaper price of $109. As for availability, both of these processors enjoyed a global release, so they should be stocked up at retail stores.

What We Recommend

Ryzen 5 5600X: The Ryzen 5 5600X outperforms the 3600 in both multi-core and single-core tasks, with its superior overclocking capacity and significant performance gains across benchmarks. Its Zen 3 architecture drives this boost, making it the CPU we recommend although its higher price may deter some buyers.

Ryzen 5 3600: The Ryzen 5 3600 offers excellent value for its performance but falls short of the 5600X. It remains a budget-friendly choice, especially for gamers prioritizing affordability. Despite its lower performance, it still holds its own, particularly at higher resolutions.

The 3600 is praised for its great price-to-value ratio in the entire market and is regarded as one of the best-performing and budget-oriented higher-end CPUs. With that said, if you are an enthusiast-level gamer but your budget isn’t quite that large, you can stick with the 3600.

More From Ryzen 5 5600X

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• Ryzen 5 5600X vs Ryzen 7 5700X

Abde Manaf

[Comparisons Expert]

Abdemanaf is a skilled creative writer who has been honing his craft since 2011. While initially working in different fields, he found a passion for technology and has been exploring the tech world since early 2015. Over the years, he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the latest tech trends and product offerings by various companies.

Abdemanaf’s writing reflects his analytical mindset and ability to think critically. He has a knack for breaking down complex technical information into easily digestible pieces, making his articles engaging and accessible to readers from all backgrounds. In February 2022, he joined Tech4Gamers as a blog and product comparison writer, where he has been able to hone his skills further.

As a writer, Abdemanaf is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and trends, enabling him to provide readers with the most relevant and accurate information. He is always eager to learn more and is constantly seeking new challenges to improve his skills.

Get In Touch: manaf@tech4gamers.com