AMD Ryzen 5 3600X vs AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
36.5Single-core85.6
37.4Multi-core62.4
60.3Gaming67.2
2 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 3600X16 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X wins this desktop processor face-off, 70.6 to 42.8, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+49) and Multi-core (+25). AMD Ryzen 5 3600X 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 3600X
- 45% higher Max turbo power: 128 W vs 88 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $249 vs $359
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Stronger Single-core score: 86 vs 37
- Stronger Multi-core score: 62 vs 37
- Stronger gaming score: 67 vs 60
- 167% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 3 MB
- 129% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 16,500 vs 7,200
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019 | 2024 |
| Socket | AM4 | AM5 |
| Process | 7 nm | 4 nm+43% |
| Base TDP | 95 W | 65 W+32% |
| Max turbo power | 128 W+45% | 88 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 12 | 16+33% |
| Base clock | 3.8 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.4 GHz | 5.5 GHz+25% |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 8 MB+167% |
| L3 cache | 32 MB | 32 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | 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 3600X | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 4 | 5+25% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 28+17% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,490Top 68% | 3,150+111%Top 5% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 7,200Top 55% | 16,500+129%Top 15% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,290Top 61% | 2,150+67%Top 9% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 9,700Top 59% | 19,500+101%Top 21% |
| PassMark | 18,400Top 55% | 38,500+109%Top 18% |
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