With AMD’s release of the Ryzen processors, there have been numerous variants under the Ryzen name with different architectures. Today, we’re going to compare two of the mid-range offerings from AMD, precisely the Ryzen 5 5600X vs the Ryzen 7 3700X, and highlight their key similarities and differences.
- We calculated that on average, the Ryzen 5 5600X performed 12.38% better than the Ryzen 7 3700X in terms of FPS across five games at 1080p.
- We also observed that the Ryzen 5 5600X is 12.38% more power-efficient and 6.45% more thermally efficient than the Ryzen 7 3700X.
- Due to the high performance, power thermal efficiency, and a much lower price point, we recommend you get the Ryzen 5 5600X.
Comparison Table
| Specifications | Ryzen 5 5600X | Ryzen 7 3700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores & Threads | 6 Cores & 12 Threads | 8 Cores & 16 Threads |
| Unlocked For Overclocking | Yes | Yes |
| Integrated Graphics | N/A | N/A |
| Release Date | Nov 5th, 2020 | Jul 7th, 2019 |
| Approximated Price | $160 | $214 |
| Best CPU Coolers | Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 5 5600X | Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 7 3700X |
| Best Motherboards | Best Motherboards for Ryzen 7 3700X | - |
| Best Memory | Best Memory for Ryzen 5 5600X | Best Memory for Ryzen 7 3700X |
Architectural Differences
- Process Node & Architecture: The Ryzen 5 5600X is based on the Zen-3 architecture whereas the Ryzen 7 3700X is based on the Zen-2 architecture. Both CPUs are based on TSMC’s 7nm process node.
- Clock Speeds: The Ryzen 5 5600X has a base frequency of 3.7 GHz which can be ramped up to 4.6 GHz. In contrast, the Ryzen 7 3700X comes with a base clock of 3.6 GHz which can be sped up to 4.4 GHz.
- Cache: Both the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 7 3700X have the same amount of Cache, with their L1 cache being 64 KB (per core), and L2 cache being 512 KB (per core), and L3 cache being 32 MB.
- Memory Support & Socket Support: Both CPUs support DDR4 memory with maximum speed reaching up to 3200 MT/s. They both support AMD’s AM4 socket.
- TDP & PCIe: Both processors arrive with a TDP rating of 65W. Both the CPUs rock a PCIe Gen 4 with the Ryzen 5 5600X having 20 lanes and the Ryzen 7 3700X having 24 lanes (CPU only).
Ryzen 5 5600X Vs Ryzen 7 3700X: Gaming Benchmarks At 1080p
We’ll now put the two processors to the test to reveal their respective values that will determine their performance in the real world.
Testing Rig
- MOBO: ASRock X570 Taichi
- Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro (2x16GB) – 3200MHz
- Graphics Card: MSI GeForce RTX 3090
- Storage Drive: XPG Gammix S70 Blade 2TB NVMe
- Power Supply: be quiet! Dark Power Pro 13 1300W
- Cooler: Fractal Design Lumen S36 RGB AIO
Microsoft Flight Simulator
- In our first game, we saw that the Ryzen 5 5600X obtained an average of 62.9 FPS. In contrast, the Ryzen 7 3700X displayed an average of 42.9 FPS – showcasing a 37.8% difference.
- The average 1% lows reached 52.6 FPS gained by the Ryzen 5 5600X. Whereas, the Ryzen 7 3700X managed to reach 36 FPS.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Here, we noticed the difference was minimal with the Ryzen 5 5600X averaging 102.9 FPS over Ryzen 7 3700X’s 99.8 FPS. This equates to a difference of no more than 3%.
- Much similar to the average FPS, the 1% lows were minimal as well with the Ryzen 5 5600X gaining 73 FPS over its rival’s 70.8 FPS.
Death Stranding
- In Death Stranding, we saw a larger margin where the Ryzen 5 5600X outperformed the Ryzen 7 3700X by almost 20% after achieving an average of 220.6 FPS over 180.5 FPS, respectively.
- Regarding the 1% lows, the Ryzen 5 5600X displayed an average of 154.8 FPS. On the other hand, the Ryzen 7 3700X showed an average of 131.6 FPS.
Battlefield V
- Here again, the difference is minimal with the Ryzen 5 5600X obtaining an average of 199.7 FPS over the Ryzen 7 3700X’s 198.3 FPS – highlighting an insignificant difference of under 1%.
- As for the 1% lows, the Ryzen 7 3700X beat Ryzen 5 5600X with a single frame by acquiring 125.2 FPS over 5600X’s 124 FPS.
Far Cry New Dawn
- In our last game, we observed that the Ryzen 5 5600X outperformed the Ryzen 7 3700X yet again by averaging 130 FPS over 3700X’s 111.1 FPS – gaining a 15.67% edge over its counterpart.
- In terms of 1% lows, the Ryzen 7 3700X reached 85.25 FPS. Whereas, the Ryzen 7 3700X performed with an average of 77 FPS.
Overall Gaming Performance
We noticed that the Ryzen 5 5600X rose victorious over the Ryzen 7 3700X by 12.38% as it acquired 143.27 FPS. Whereas, the Ryzen 7 3700X performed with 126.56 FPS across the five games. The 1% lows of the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 7 3700X were 97.9 FPS and 88.15 FPS, respectively.
Power Consumption
We also observed that the Ryzen 5 5600X consumed 159W of power in its stock settings and it ramped up to 190W when it was overclocked. In contrast, the Ryzen 7 3700X showed a power consumption of 180W when stock and 186W when overclocked. This makes the Ryzen 5 5600X 12.38% a more power-efficient option.
Thermal Performance
Speaking of the CPU temperature, the Ryzen 7 3700X was only a little warmer by a few degrees, operating at 64°C over the Ryzen 5 5600X which operated at 60°C, showcasing merely a 6.45% difference. When overclocked, the results are opposite – with the Ryzen 5 5600X reaching 76°C whereas the Ryzen 7 3700X remained at 66°C.
Pricing And Availability
| CPUs | MSRP | Current Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5600X | 💲299 | 💲152 |
| Ryzen 7 3700X | 💲329 | 💲214 |
| Price Difference | 9.5% | 33.8% |
The price of both the processors has been reduced, where the Ryzen 5 5600X is now 65.5% cheaper and the Ryzen 7 3700X is now 42.3% cheaper. Comparing the current prices of both CPUs, we see that the Ryzen 5 5600X is 33.8% cheaper than the Ryzen 7 3700X. Both have wide availability and can also be found in bundle deals as pre-build PCs.
Ryzen 7 3700X Vs Ryzen 5 5600X: Which One Do We Recommend?
After reviewing the key differences in detail, it is time to wrap things up with a conclusion, which here is definite.
It is evident that the newer gen Ryzen 5 5600X not only performed better than the older gen counterpart, but it also showed better power and thermal efficiency. Additionally, AMD has packed all this goodness with a lower price point – making it an ideal option for you to get which is why we recommend you get the Ryzen 5 5600X as soon as you can.
Pros And Cons
| CPUs | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5600X | ✅ Excellent gaming performance ✅ Costs less | ❌ No DDR5 support eventhough a decent CPU |
| Ryzen 7 3700X | ✅ Comparable performance in a few games ✅ Lower temps & power draw when overclocked | ❌ Higher cost despite lower performance |
Frequently Asked Questions
The Intel Core i5-11600K is a directly equivalent variant to the Ryzen 5 5600X while the Intel Core i7-9700K is an equivalent variant to the Ryzen 7 3700X with similar performance.
In terms of gaming, the Ryzen 5 5600X is 12.3% better than the Ryzen 7 3700X. However, the Ryzen 7 3700X performs well on parallel processing and productivity tasks due to its higher cores and threads.
Despite having great gaming and productivity performance, both the Ryzen 7 3700X and the Ryzen 5 5600X only support DDR4 memory.
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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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