AMD Ryzen 5 3600 vs AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
34.8Single-core38.6
36.4Multi-core64.6
59.1Gaming79
3 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 360012 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 60.4 to 41.6, pulling ahead mainly in Multi-core (+28) and gaming (+20). 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
- 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 35
- Stronger Multi-core score: 65 vs 36
- Stronger gaming score: 79 vs 59
- 168% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 24,700 vs 9,200
- 167% higher cores: 16 vs 6
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019 | 2019 |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| Process | 7 nm | 7 nm |
| 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 3600 | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 16+167% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 16+167% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12 | 32+167% |
| Base clock | 3.6 GHz+3% | 3.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.2 GHz | 4.7 GHz+12% |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 8 MB+167% |
| L3 cache | 32 MB | 64 MB+100% |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-3200 | DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 4 | 4 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 24 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,450Top 70% | 1,570+8%Top 57% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 6,900Top 58% | 13,300+93%Top 25% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,250Top 66% | 1,320+6%Top 56% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 9,200Top 61% | 24,700+168%Top 15% |
| PassMark | 17,800Top 56% | 39,000+119%Top 16% |
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