Amd ryzen 5 3600 vs 3600x which one should you buy?

We still have some comparisons to make between these interesting processors. If we have previously compared the range stops of the Ryzen 3000 line, today we are going to test two of the smallest brothers. The Ryzen 5 3600 vs 3600X showdown is one that will take you by surprise, as they are quite powerful CPUs.

In general, they are very similar components in both specifications and performance, but each has its specialties. Let's start by talking about the Ryzen 5 3600 , since it is the smaller of the two.

Unlike other websites, we try whenever we can and we have the material, to make our own comparison. It is the clearest and most transparent way of showing you our results. Without further delay, here we go!

Index of contents

AMD Ryzen 5 3600

First off, we have the Ryzen 5 3600 , one of the minor processors in the Ryzen 3000 line.

With this processor you should not be fooled by appearances. Despite the fact that its denomination or its price may give you the feeling that it is a mid-range or lower-middle range processor, its performance will show you that it is not.

It is an inexpensive, medium-low power processor with very good potential, especially for video games. Here you can see a more extensive list of its characteristics:

• Architecture: Zen 2 Compatible Socket: AM4 Heatsink: Yes (Wraith Stealth) Integrated Graphics: No Number of CPU Cores: 6 Number of Threads: 12 Base Clock Rate: 3.6 GHz Boost Clock Rate: 4.2 GHz Total L2 Cache: 3MB Total L3 Cache: 32MB Transistor Size: 7nm Recommended RAM Frequency: DDR4-3200 TDP / Default TDP: 65W Approximate Price: € 215

You may notice that the specifications of this processor are quite similar to the Ryzen 7 3700X . The only noticeable differences we have are 2 cores and 4 less threads and 1 MB less L2 cache.

This is where the scalability of the Zen 2 micro-architecture comes into play and we noticed in the CPU specifications that the entire line has similar specifications.

Thanks to the fact that these are of good quality and give us a good performance, it is not surprising that Ryzen 3000 , in general, is quite strong. Despite this, we have to be down to earth, because similar numbers do not mean similar performance.

The clock frequencies are quite good and the temperatures of its more modest consumption is mitigated by a low-mid-range heatsink. As we will see later, it is not a bad heatsink, but we recommend you get some other one of better quality.

In a few moments we will see more closely how both processors behave when faced with different tests.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X

The Ryzen 5 3600X is one of the protagonists of this line of processors. You may have noticed that we have not put an image of its box and this is because both the 3600 and the 3600X have an identical design.

This processor is one of the ones that has received the most attention from the public and from AMD itself, and it's not for nothing. If the Ryzen 7 3700X is the MVP for video games with parallel tasks, the Ryzen 5 3600X is quietly the MVP in pure gaming.

Here are their base specs:

• Architecture: Zen 2 Compatible Socket: AM4 Heatsink: Yes (Wraith Spire) Integrated Graphics: No Number of CPU Cores: 6 Number of Threads: 12 Base Clock Rate: 3.8 GHz Boost Clock Rate: 4.4 GHz Total L2 Cache: 3MB Total L3 Cache: 32MB Transistor Size: 7nm Recommended RAM Frequency: DDR4-3200 TDP / Default TDP: 95W Approximate Price: € 265

Most video games do not take advantage of more than a pair or three of cores, so for gaming it is better to have high frequencies, than many cores.

So if we compare this processor, the frequencies per core are higher than the Ryzen 7 3700X , but the core counter is lower. This means that we will have an equal or better performance in video games, but in return the tasks carried out in parallel will not be executed with much ease.

In addition, by having a higher TDP , we will have more freedom to support greater amounts of energy, which will not allow maximum performance. The only medium-severe problem you suffer from is that your factory heatsink is somewhat poor. Currently we don't need something much better, since overclocking is a difficult task, but we should find another solution.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 vs 3600X

These two processors belong to the range 5 within Ryzen 3000 . This is mainly because its core counter is only six units (it can go up to four on the Ryzen 5 3400G). However, the differences between them are not small.

First of all, we warn you that neither of the two processors has integrated graphics. It's a pretty understandable move, as these components are unlikely to be used without discrete graphics, but keep that in mind.

Starting with their similarities, apart from the number of cores and threads, they both share Zen 2 and socket AM4 micro-architecture. It is also worth noting the RAM frequency that they are capable of supporting, both reaching 3200 MHz . Finally, the two components share the same amount of cache memory, this being 3 MB for level 2 and 32 MB for level 3.

However, the 3600X features a clock frequency of up to 200 MHz higher than both normal and boost. Also, the more expensive version has a higher TDP , so it is more prepared to support more power. Consequently, this processor is capable of achieving better numbers, in most tests.

Finally, we have to talk about the price. The Ryzen 5 3600X is priced around € 50 higher, reaching around € 270. In return, it offers us better specifications and a more competent heatsink.

Below we will see if this improvement helps you achieve better results or if it is not worth it.

Synthetic Benchmark

We are going to show you the results obtained in a series of tests. The results are quite in line with what we would expect from them, but we have some surprises.

Starting with the AIDA64 test, where we check the efficiency of the processors when writing and reading information.

As you can see, in terms of reading, both processors get quite high scores, exceeding other processors such as Core i7-8700k or Ryzen 7 3700X. In counterpart, in writing both components lead the list, but behind. This is also the case with other Ryzen 3000 processors.

In wPrime the results are quite positive. As we would expect from mid-range processors, the results in this test put both of them around half the list. It depends on the parameters, we can see that one or both surpass processors such as the Ryzen 7 2700X or the Core i9-9900k itself

In both PCMark 8 and VRMark we see clearly how the Ryzen 5 3600X is a step above its little brother.

While the standard version usually stays above all Ryzen 2000 processors , the Ryzen 3600 X is capable of outperforming some of its older siblings like the Ryzen 9 3900X . Of course, it should be noted that in PCMark 8 we can glimpse a certain preference for Intel .

When we look at Cinebench R15, we get what we have been seeing in the company's marketing.

In mono-core performance, the Ryzen 3000 is somewhat above its predecessors. This will greatly benefit us in some tasks such as gaming. Instead, they can't be multi-core compared to previous-generation MVPs like the Ryzen 7 2700 or 2700X.

Do not misunderstand us, the results obtained are good, since they are around half the list. The most relevant thing about these data is that, for the price they have, they are quite powerful.

In Cinebench R20 we have the problem that we do not have as much data from other processors. However, the trend continues.

The best Intel processors have reserved their place somewhere on the podium, but most have been dethroned. It is there that both Ryzen 5 shows their maximum potential and supersedes some of the famous ones like the Core i7-9700k.

In Time Spy the results are quite worse for this pair of processors. There is a clear preference for Intel CPUs , but here we see how even the Ryzen 7 2700X is well above the two.

In these last two tests, the two processors fulfill their order and remain in the middle of the list. They outperform some famous processors from previous generations, but they are not too high.

As a relevant point, in Blender we get a better result with Ryzen 5 3600 than with the X version, something that we do not fully understand.

Not surprisingly, this is the results of different tests in "illusory" tests. With this we see the raw or semi-raw potential of the processors, but on a day-to-day basis we do not work in isolation. The team members coordinate, they have to work together, so we will see benchmarks in video games, tasks that squeeze the most out of what the computer can offer us.

Synthetic Benchmark (FPS)

As for video games, things change a lot. If they were previously mid-range processors, here they show their full potential thanks to their high frequencies and good optimization.

The workbench we have used has been the following:

In 1080p resolutions we see how these two processors destroy everything. As always, it all depends on the game, but we see how in most of them they are in one of the three podium positions.

Normally it is the Ryzen 5 3600X that takes the top, although it does not always happen.

In addition, the two components are capable of outperforming other beasts of the same generation as the Ryzen 9 3900X or Ryzen 7 3700X . Not content with it, the top three games on the list are dominated by the Ryzen 5 3600X, where it ranks even above the Core i9-9900k .

In 1440p resolution history repeats itself once more. Both processors are not the complete bosses, but they are always either on the podium or very close to it.

It should be noted that in these resolutions the CPUs are even more dominant. Previously, in Final Fantasy XV and the Metro Exodus processors were not so high in the top, but in 1440p they have gone up several levels.

In 4K processors lose a bit of ground, but remain strong. Here we see the latest proof that these processors are purely intended for gaming performance.

Despite this, we must remember that we lose a lot in terms of potential in parallel. Although playing is one of the best options, if we want to do any other job at the same time, it will be a somewhat difficult task.

Consumption and temperatures

As for consumption, these processors are quite interesting.

Without workload they have a fairly high consumption. The little brother is about 73W and his older brother is about 20W above.

However, when subjecting them to work the watts go up a little, but nothing relevant. Neither of them exceeds 150W of power and it is something that surprises us. In the case of the Ryzen 7 3700X, this processor has the same TDP as the Ryzen 5 3600 , but it goes much higher in watts.

Ultimately, if you get these good performances at low watts, it 's best for the team. It will require less power and be less sensitive to overload and the like, so you may have a longer life expectancy.

Regarding temperatures, we are at acceptable levels.

When we don't have any kind of work, both processors have slightly elevated temperatures, but nothing to worry about. This is mainly due to the regulatory quality of its two factory heatsinks. They are not very good, although they do their job.

On the other hand, by increasing the power of the processors we keep ourselves in quite good temperatures. Around 75ºC are very good temperatures, especially if we compare it with other similar or less powerful CPUs .

We have to mention that these processors do not have overclocked data since it is almost impossible for us. Despite some facilities from the hardware point of view, the improvements in frequencies and others are minimal, so we have not been able to get reliable data at the moment. We hope that with future updates this will be solved.

Last words on the Ryzen 5 3600 vs 3600X

From our point of view, both graphics serve the same purpose: pure gaming. For this same reason, despite the fact that synthetic tests are important, when we analyze Ryzen 5 3600 vs 3600X we have to focus especially on gaming.

Of course, anyone is a good choice regarding gaming, but in this area, the Ryzen 5 3600X takes a little advantage from its younger brother. Since both are designed for exactly the same purpose, the decision is clear. The Ryzen 3600X is the better option of the two, when AMD allows manual overclocking without any problem.

If you are hesitating between buying exactly these two processors, the Ryzen 5 3600X will meet your demands much better. Instead, the Ryzen 5 3600 is a considerably cheaper alternative that will allow you to stretch when buying other components, such as a graphics card.

A good point of both processors is that they are below € 300 and if we find them in some type of offer this improves even more. Although if you want to dedicate yourself to doing other things like streaming video games, playing while browsing numerous tabs or doing various jobs at the same time, we recommend some Ryzen 7 that have eight physical and 16 logical cores.

Would you buy a Ryzen 5 3600X or a Ryzen 3600 ? Do you think they have adequate prices or do you think they should be higher or lower? Share your ideas below.