AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
23.2Single-core38.6
31.6Multi-core64.6
40.5Gaming79
2 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 260017 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 60.4 to 31.3, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+39) and Multi-core (+33). AMD Ryzen 5 2600 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- 38% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 105 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $199 vs $749
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Stronger Single-core score: 39 vs 23
- Stronger Multi-core score: 65 vs 32
- Stronger gaming score: 79 vs 41
- 300% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 16 MB
- 234% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 24,700 vs 7,400
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018 | 2019 |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| Process | 12 nm | 7 nm+42% |
| Base TDP | 65 W+38% | 105 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | 142 W+61% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 16+167% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 16+167% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12 | 32+167% |
| Base clock | 3.4 GHz | 3.5 GHz+3% |
| Boost clock | 3.9 GHz | 4.7 GHz+21% |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 8 MB+167% |
| L3 cache | 16 MB | 64 MB+300% |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2933 | DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 4+33% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 24 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,140Top 90% | 1,570+38%Top 57% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 5,300Top 72% | 13,300+151%Top 25% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 980Top 88% | 1,320+35%Top 56% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 7,400Top 72% | 24,700+234%Top 15% |
| PassMark | 13,400Top 69% | 39,000+191%Top 16% |
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