AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

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Performance Performance

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AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
The memory and cache latency improvements of the Ryzen 5 5600X means that there's a good chance it will never end up being slower than the 3700X in games. Doesn't matter if you're talking average frame rates or frame time performance, it should be better by all metrics.
- As reviewed by TechSpot on Nov 2020
6
Cores
12
Threads
3.7 GHz
Base Clock
4.6 GHz
Boost Clock
Socket AM4
Socket
65 W
TDP
No iGPU
Graphics
$205
Price
Release date:Nov 5, 2020Price at Launch:$299
Cores:6Threads:12
Base Clock:3.7 GHzBoost Clock:4.6 GHz
Type:DesktopMultithreading:Yes
L2 Cache:3 MBL3 Cache:32 MB
Box Cooler:YesTDP:65 W
Socket:Socket AM4Memory Support:DDR4-3200
Codename:Vermeer (Zen 3)Process Size:7 nm
Integrated Graphics:NoNPU:No
PCIe Support:PCIe 4.0, 24 Lanes
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
A newer model is available:
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X

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 5600X pricing

Last 6 months
Price Date
Current $205 Dec 15, 2025
Highest* $205 Dec 13, 2025
Lowest* $115 Jan 1, 2025
Average $164
* Prices are based on listings from Newegg and other major retailers over the past 12+ months.
TechSpot is supported by its audience. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Learn more here.

Reviews and Ratings

90

Average Score

Based on 15 reviews

9.6

User Score

Based on 29,466 reviews

Reviewers Liked

  • Huge IPC gains
  • Gaming performance improved by over 15%
  • Very power efficient
  • Bundled cooler
  • Beats 8-core 3800XT in both compute and gaming

Reviewers Didn't Like

  • Price increase over previous generation

Best Value CPU Battle: Core i5-12400 vs. Ryzen 5 5600X:
In our relatively small sample of games, the 5600X enjoyed big wins in Horizon Zero Dawn, Hitman 3, Rainbow Six Siege, Age of Empires 4, and a solid win in F1 2021, while the i5-12400 was stronger in Far Cry 6 and The Riftbreaker.

By TechSpot on

Intel Core i5-11600K vs. AMD Ryzen 5 5600 vs. Core i5-10600K:
When it comes to gaming, AMD still came out on top. The Ryzen 5 5600X is about 7% faster than the 11600K based on our 10 game sample. Intel made a small 5% jump here from the 10600K, though we saw significant gains in a few titles like Death Stranding, in some others there was very little difference.

By TechSpot on

Ryzen 5 5600X vs. Ryzen 7 5800X vs. Ryzen 9 5900X vs. 5950X:
Basically, it doesn't matter how fast your graphics card is, you can go right up to a GeForce RTX 3090 and you'll sacrifice nothing by using a Ryzen 5 5600X. This applies whether you're playing esports titles using competitive quality settings, like what we saw in Rainbow Six Siege, or the latest and greatest AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077.

By TechSpot on

Is Zen 3 Worth It for Gaming? Ryzen 5600X vs. 3600 vs. Core i5-10400F:
Take the Ryzen 5 5600X vs. Ryzen 7 5800X comparison for example. The 8-core processor costs $150 more, so a 50% premium for 33% more cores. Yet the biggest margin we've been able to find in any game was 8% in Death Stranding at 1080p, with an RTX 3090... just 8%.

By TechSpot on
85

The memory and cache latency improvements of the Ryzen 5 5600X means that there's a good chance it will never end up being slower than the 3700X in games. Doesn't matter if you're talking average frame rates or frame time performance, it should be better by all metrics.

By TechSpot on
80

Trying to figure out the best CPU for your next PC upgrade or DIY build? With apologies to Robert Frost, it's the classic two roads that parted in the wood—if the wood were a shopping-results page at Newegg or Amazon, and the road kept dividing...

By PC Mag on
90

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X takes the throne as the no-compromise gaming chip for the mid-range, accentuated by class-leading application performance and power...

By Tom's Hardware on
90

If you are in a position where your budget for a productivity plus gaming processor is strictly kept to the sub-£300 price point, the Ryzen 5 5600X is a very well balanced option and offers impressive gaming performance to make it a strong recommendation versus the competitors.

By KitGuru on
90

All things considered, we’re really impressed with what AMD has achieved here. After the disillusionment of years of weaker generation-on-generation performance uplifts from the competition, AMD set a goal to beat the average ~7% IPC year-on-year gain. With +19% IPC on Zen3, Intel has no equal right now - not even Tiger Lake at 4.8 GHz - and has lost that single-threaded crown.

By AnandTech on
90

In conclusion, the Ryzen 5 5600X is a pocket-rocket and will impress you in ways you can't imagine. It punches way above its weight in most tests and is the only processor you'll need if you're building a next-gen build with a fairly expensive RTX 30-series or RX 6000 series graphics card.

By TechPowerUp on
90

Yeah, even the six-core part will be a feisty product in overall PC Desktop performance, but just as well in PC gaming. You get your 12-threads, and most games dig that. Albeit we would like to steer you towards an 8-core processor, we surely also understand that not everybody has got the budget for that.

By The Guru of 3D on
95

AMD's Ryzen 5 5600X CPU offers gaming performance rivaling both of Intel's mid-range parts and IPC that's 20% higher in everyday tasks!

By TweakTown on
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