AMD Ryzen 5 3600 vs AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
34.8Single-core85.6
36.4Multi-core62.4
59.1Gaming67.2
1 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 360016 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X wins this desktop processor face-off, 70.6 to 41.6, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+51) and Multi-core (+26). AMD Ryzen 5 3600 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 3600
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $199 vs $359
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Stronger Single-core score: 86 vs 35
- Stronger Multi-core score: 62 vs 36
- Stronger gaming score: 67 vs 59
- 167% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 3 MB
- 139% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 16,500 vs 6,900
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019 | 2024 |
| Socket | AM4 | AM5 |
| Process | 7 nm | 4 nm+43% |
| Base TDP | 65 W | 65 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | 88 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12 | 16+33% |
| Base clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.8 GHz+6% |
| Boost clock | 4.2 GHz | 5.5 GHz+31% |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 8 MB+167% |
| L3 cache | 32 MB | 32 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-3200 | DDR5-5600 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 192 GB+50% |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 4 | 5+25% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 28+17% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,450Top 70% | 3,150+117%Top 5% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 6,900Top 58% | 16,500+139%Top 15% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,250Top 66% | 2,150+72%Top 9% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 9,200Top 61% | 19,500+112%Top 21% |
| PassMark | 17,800Top 56% | 38,500+116%Top 18% |
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