AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Rated: 7.2/10
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
Rated: 7.5/10
Pros And Cons
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 3600 | ✅ Incredibly cheap. ✅ Lower temperatures. ✅ Perfect for your first PC built. | ❌ Lower specifications such as cores, threads & clock speeds. |
| Ryzen 7 3700X | ✅ Higher performance. ✅ Lower power consumption. | ❌ Price point isn't justified due to similar performance. |
- In terms of the average frame rates, we observed that the Ryzen 7 3700X is 10.3% faster than the Ryzen 5 3600 when tested across five games at 1080p.
- We also observed that the Ryzen 7 3700X stands victorious in the area of power efficiency as it is 4.7% more power-efficient than the Ryzen 5 3600.
- On average, the Ryzen 5 3600 proves to be almost 10% cooler than the Ryzen 7 3700X when tested across the same five games.
- We recommend the Ryzen 7 3700X for its increased gaming performance and we recommend you go for the Ryzen 5 3600 if you’re on a budget.
Comparison Table
| Specifications | Ryzen 5 3600 | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores & Threads | 6 Cores & 12 Threads | 8 Cores & 16 Threads |
| Unlocked For Overclocking | Yes | Yes |
| Integrated Graphics | N/A | N/A |
| Socket Support | AM4 socket | AM4 socket |
| Memory Support | Dual Channel DDR4 up to 3200 MT/s | Dual Channel DDR4 up to 3200 MT/s |
| Release Date | Jul 7th, 2019 | Jul 7th, 2019 |
| Approximated Price | $99 | $214 |
| Best CPU Coolers | Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 5 3600 | Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 7 3700X |
| Best Motherboards | Best Motherboards For Ryzen 5 3600 | - |
| Best Memory | - | Best Memory for Ryzen 7 3700X |
Architectural Differences
- Process Node & Architecture: Both the Zen-3 architecture-based Ryzen 7 3700X and the Zen-2 architecture-based Ryzen 5 3600 are based on TSMC’s 7nm process node.
- Clock Speeds: The Ryzen 5 3600 arrives with a base clock speed of 3.6 GHz which can be boosted up to 4.2 GHz. On the flip side, the Ryzen 7 3700X comes with a base and boost clock speeds of 3.6 GHz and 4.4 GHz, respectively.
- Cache: Both of these processors share similarities concerning the amount of Cache, with their L1 cache being 64 KB (per core), L2 cache being 512 KB (per core), and L3 cache being 32 MB – the Ryzen 5 3600 has a shared L3 cache.
- Chipsets: The Ryzen 5 3600 offers support for the AMD 300, 400, and 500 series chipsets. Whereas the Ryzen 7 3700X supports the A300, X300, A320, B350, X370, B450, X470, A520, B550, X570 chipsets.
- TDP & PCIe: Both CPUs share the same TDP rating of 65W. Both the processors support PCIe Gen 4 with the Ryzen 5 3600 supporting 16 lanes (CPU only) whereas the Ryzen 7 3700X supports 24 lanes (CPU only).
These two AMD processors, namely the Ryzen 5 3600 vs Ryzen 7 3700X, have won many hearts of professional and gaming gamers worldwide. In this post, we’ll compare the features, characteristics, and performance as well as the cost and pricing of these CPUs so you understand which one is the right CPU for you.
Ryzen 5 3600 Vs Ryzen 7 3700X: Benchmark At 1080p
After reviewing the technical details, let us move on to the testing phase where the performance of these two processors will be judged across five games played at 1080p.
Testing Rig:
- MOBO: ASRock X470 Taichi Ultimate
- Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro (2x16GB) – 3200MHz
- Graphics Card: iGame colorful RTX 3070 8GB Advanced OC
- Storage Drive: XPG Gammix S70 Blade 2TB NVMe
- Power Supply: Antec Earthwatts 650W
- Cooler: Deepcool Gammaxx GT
Cyberpunk 2077
- Right from the start, the Ryzen 7 3700X secures the top spot by claiming an average of 70 FPS over the Ryzen 5 3600’s 66 FPS, which makes the Ryzen 7 3700X 5.8% better in this game.
- In terms of the 1% lows, the Ryzen 5 3600 doesn’t stay behind as both processors managed to gain an average of around 53 FPS.
Horizon Zero Dawn
- In our second game, the Ryzen 7 3700X outperforms the Ryzen 5 3600 with a 16.3% performance margin, gaining an average of 99 FPS over 84 FPS, respectively.
- As for the 1% lows, the Ryzen 7 3700X stays lanes ahead by acquiring 71 FPS while the Ryzen 5 3600 struggled with 49 FPS in this game.
Call Of Duty: Warzone
- Up next, we have Call Of Duty: Warzone where the Ryzen 7 3700X dominates the Ryzen 5 3600 with a 9.7% edge as it averaged 205 FPS whereas the Ryzen 5 3600 obtained 186 FPS.
- The Ryzen 5 3600 pursued its rival in terms of 1% low framerates and managed to average 126 FPS while the Ryzen 7 3700X flew right ahead with 142 FPS.
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Here, we saw the that Ryzen 7 3700X steered clear without any obstacle by averaging 118 FPS while the Ryzen 5 3600 followed behind with 106 FPS, resulting in a 10.7% performance gap.
- Speaking of the 1% lows, the Ryzen 5 3600 attempts to catch up with the Ryzen 7 3700X by obtaining 76 FPS, whereas the Ryzen 7 3700X displayed 84 FPS.
The Witcher 3
- In our last game, the gap closed to 9.5% where the Ryzen 7 3700X has a clear edge as it gained an average of 176 FPS over the Ryzen 5 3600’s 160 FPS.
- The 1% low also showed closer results, with the Ryzen 7 3700X obtaining an average of 120 FPS while the Ryzen 5 3600 followed closely with 107 FPS.
Overall Gaming Performance
After going through all the values, we calculated the averages and found the Ryzen 7 3700X as a clear victor which obtained 133.6 FPS over the Ryzen 5 3600 which displayed 120.4 FPS on average. This amounts to a 10.3% difference where the Ryzen 7 3700X stands victorious. In terms of the 1% lows, the Ryzen 5 3600 managed to stay very close by obtaining 53.2 FPS over the Ryzen 7 3700X’s 55.4 FPS, closing the gap by 4%.
Winner: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
Temperatures
Speaking of the thermal statistics, we observed that the Ryzen 7 3700X was recorded operating at 55.3°C whereas the temperature of the Ryzen 5 3600 peaked at 50.1°C on average. This makes the Ryzen 5 3600 almost operate 10% cooler than its rival.
Power Consumption
In terms of power consumption, the case was the opposite because here the Ryzen 7 3700X consumed an average of 66.6W while the Ryzen 5 3600 showed a power consumption of 69.8W. This results in the Ryzen 7 3700X emerging as the more power-efficient option as it showed a 4.7% edge.
Price And Value
| CPU | MSRP | Current Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 3600 | 💲199 | 💲99 |
| Ryzen 7 3700X | 💲329 | 💲214 |
| Price Difference | 49.2% | 73.4% |
Comparing the prices of these CPUs from their respective MSRPs, we saw a clear reduction in prices. Where the Ryzen 7 3700X saw a 42.3% decrease in its price, the Ryzen 5 3600 became 67.1% cheaper than its launch price. Among the two options, the Ryzen 5 3600 is considered 73.4% cheaper due to its affordable price point.
Ryzen 7 3700X Vs Ryzen 5 3600: What We Recommend
Ryzen 7 3700X: The Ryzen 7 3700X is the best for users looking for an increased gaming performance as it has higher cores, threads, and turbo clock frequency. Additionally, it offers support for numerous chipsets, making it ideal to pair with most motherboards. It also consumes less power – which is why we highly recommend you get this processor.
Ryzen 5 3600: We recommend you get the Ryzen 5 3600 if you want to play games while staying on a budget. With only about a 10% difference in performance when compared to its rival, it can be found at an insanely cheaper price. Moreover, it is more thermally efficient. All of these make the Ryzen 5 3600 the perfect processor if you’re starting your PC gaming journey.
Whichever CPU you go for, ensure it goes perfectly with your budget and other PC components.
Frequently Asked Questions
Among the two CPUs, the Ryzen 7 3700X will provide you with higher gaming performance while consuming less power when compared to the Ryzen 5 3600.
Yes, the Ryzen 5 3600 can run all games with well over 60 FPS at 1080p and with around 60 FPS at 1440p in most games.
The Ryzen 7 3700X is excellent for video editing as it has a higher number of cores, threads, and turbo frequency. It also consumes less power, making it ideal for other multitasking purposes as well.
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[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.
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