AMD Ryzen 5 1600

The Ryzen 5 1600 is an exceptional value. On productivity workloads that can take advantage of multiple threads the Ryzen 1600 is great and it holds its own when gaming, too. How can you not love a 6-core/12-thread CPU that can be overclocked to 4 GHz using the stock cooler for under $200.
- As reviewed by TechSpot on Apr 2017
6
Cores
12
Threads
3.2 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz
Boost Clock
Socket AM4
Socket
65 W
TDP
No iGPU
Graphics
$58
Price
Release date:Apr 11, 2017Price at Launch:$219
Cores:6Threads:12
Base Clock:3.2 GHzBoost Clock:3.6 GHz
Type:DesktopMultithreading:Yes
L2 Cache:3 MBL3 Cache:16 MB
Box Cooler:YesTDP:65 W
Socket:Socket AM4Memory Support:DDR4-2666
Codename:Summit Ridge (Zen)Process Size:14nm
Integrated Graphics:NoNPU:No
PCIe Support:PCIe 3.0, 20 Lanes

Performance Benchmarks

All benchmark data reflects aggregated results from dozens of tests conducted in TechSpot’s labs and compiled from our full library of CPU reviews. Single-core productivity scores are based primarily on Cinebench and Adobe Photoshop workloads. Multi-core results draw from Cinebench, Blender, Corona Benchmark, 7-Zip, Adobe Premiere Pro, and shader compilation tests. CPU gaming benchmarks are all 1080p runs (explainer) as published on TechSpot.

Single-Core Productivity

Multi-Core Productivity

Gaming Performance

Price History

AMD Ryzen 5 1600 pricing

Price Date
Current $58 Dec 15, 2025
Highest* $250 Nov 26, 2025
Lowest* $58 Nov 27, 2025
Average $120
* Prices are based on listings from Newegg and other major retailers over the past 12+ months.
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Reviews and Ratings

90

Average Score

Based on 17 reviews

9.4

User Score

Based on 4,418 reviews

Reviewers Liked

  • Highly competitive performance
  • Well rounded platform cost
  • Unlocked multiplier

Reviewers Didn't Like

  • Same power envelope as Ryzen 7
  • Memory overclocking

Intel Core i3-9100F vs. Ryzen 5 1600 AF:
For US-based shoppers, the Ryzen 1600 AF effectively eliminates the Core i3-9100F as both come in at about $85. Your mileage will vary in other regions where the 1600 AF may not be as inexpensive or may be entirely unavailable.

By TechSpot on
95

AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF Review:
That was our quick look at how the Ryzen 5 1600 AF performs and the results were as positive as we expected. It's a Ryzen 5 2600 with very minor reduction in clock speed. Speaking of which, you can of course overclock the 1600 AF as it's fully unlocked.

By TechSpot on

Intel Core i5-8400 vs. AMD Ryzen 5 1600:
Even with a GTX 1080 Ti at just 1080p there's really no telling which CPU you're using when gaming, both are exceptionally smooth and enable high frame rates, certainly high enough for the average gamer.

By TechSpot on

Core i5-8400 vs. Overclocked Ryzen 5 1600:
I'd consider buying the Ryzen 5 1600 because it's cheaper overall including platform costs and the savings could buy you a decent cooler or some flashy RGB lights. It's also available right now for the MSRP or a little less when on sale, and is supported by a massive range of affordable B350 motherboards.

By TechSpot on

AMD Ryzen 5 1600 vs Intel Core i7-7800X:
I'd consider buying the Ryzen 5 1600 because it's cheaper overall including platform costs and the savings could buy you a decent cooler or some flashy RGB lights. It's also available right now for the MSRP or a little less when on sale, and is supported by a massive range of affordable B350 motherboards.

By TechSpot on

The Ryzen 5 1600 is an exceptional value. On productivity workloads that can take advantage of multiple threads the Ryzen 1600 is great and it holds its own when gaming, too. How can you not love a 6-core/12-thread CPU that can be overclocked to 4 GHz using the stock cooler for under $200.

By TechSpot on
100

The Ryzen 5 1600 from AMD retails at a very affordable price and it actually beats the Intel 7500 & 7600-K when it comes to multi-threaded apps; it also features HTT / SMT which the competing chips from Intel lacks. It's also really good that their...

By TheStreamingBlog on
75

Sometimes you don't have to be the absolute best to be a winnerIn a nutshell, Ryzen 5's main advantage over Intel's Core i5 range is the higher number of cores and threads it offers while sharing the same price bracket. That's not unlike what AMD offers...

By hardwarezone.com.my on
97

The Ryzen 5 lineup has put an end to Intel's Core i5 lineup because you now have the option of getting either a 6C/12T or 4C/8T processor while the Core i5 lineup is all 4C/4T. Multi-threaded performance will be significantly better with any Ryzen 5...

By relaxedtech.com on
80

The Ryzen 5 1400 and 1600 are the cheaper alternatives in AMD's lineup geared towards the tinkerers who love to push their components to the...

By CGM on
93

The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 currently retails for $220. Beats Intel 7500 and Intel 7600K in multi-threaded apps Features SMT/HTT (which competing Intel Core i5 quad-core chips lack) Single-threaded performance improved over previous generation Unlocked...

By techPowerUp! on
100

AMD Ryzen 5 1600 Best value with AMD's 219 USD six-core proc.We put what could be the best value Ryzen 5 processor to the test as we benchmark the six-core Ryzen 5 1600 (without the X). The 1600 will be tested and overclocked to see how much value you...

By Guru of 3D on

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