As a part of AMD’s 3rd gen Ryzen launch, they have released Ryzen 5 3600 and Ryzen 5 3600X. Both CPU is built on the same 7nm processing node and 2nd generation Zen architecture. While both have almost the identical spec, the $50 expensive Ryzen 5 3600X clocked at a higher frequency out of the box. Today we will test these two CPUs across 5 different games and try to figure the performance difference.
On Paper Spec Difference
On paper both Ryzen 5 3600 and Ryzen 5 3600X is built on same 7nm FinFET technology and Zen 2 architecture. Both have 6 core and 12 threads. The main difference is frequency. While the Ryzen 5 3600 has a 4.2 GHz boost, 3.6 GHz base clock; the Ryzen 5 3600X has 4.4 GHz boost, 3.8 GHz base clock. Basically, Ryzen 5 3600X is the overclocked version of Ryzen 5 3600 out of the box. Ryzen 5 3600 is 65W CPU and the big brother Ryzen 5 3600X is a 95W CPU.
Test Bench
- Motherboard: GIGABYTE X570 AORUS PRO
- RAM: 16GB G-Skill 3200Mhz
- GPU: GeForce RTX 2080 OC 8GB
- Power Supply: Corsair RX 850
- OS: Windows 10 Pro 1903
Gaming Benchmark:
All the gaming benchmarks are done on 1080P and in DX12. All the settings are set to high. Both Ryzen 5 3600 and Ryzen 5 3600X is in stock clocking speed, no overclocking is applied. Benchmark is done in the build-in benchmark.
1. Shadow of the Tomb Raider
First off we have Shadow of the Tomb Raider, we have used the built-in benchmark in 1080P. Here the Ryzen 5 3600X performs 3.34 percent better than the Ryzen 5 3600. So the difference can’t be observed in-game performance.
2. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Next up we have Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and here also the story remains the same across the benchmark. The Ryzen 5 3600X only manages to perform 2.7 percent better over the Ryzen 5 3600.
3. Battlefield V
Moving to the Battlefield V and the story gets interesting. Basically, both Ryzen 5 3600 and Ryzen 5 3600X performs just the same in average frame rate. We run the test one more time but the story remains the same. Although in 1 percent low the Ryzen 5 3600X performed 6.7 percent better than the Ryzen 5 3600.
4. Grand Theft Auto V
Next, in the Grand Theft Auto V, the benchmark result shows the usual scenario. The Ryzen 5 3600X performs 5.88 percent in better than Ryzen 5 3600 in the 1080P benchmark.
5. The Witcher 3
Last we have The Witcher 3. The Ryzen 5 3600X performs 2.83 percent better than the cheaper Ryzen 5 3600.
Conclusion
So as we can see that the performance difference between Ryzen 5 3600X and Ryzen 5 3600 is very thin. Ryzen 5 3600X only manages to perform on average 3.68 percent better than the Ryzen 5 3600. While in the Battlefield V both perform identically if we consider the average frame rate.
What Should You Buy
As you can see the performance gap between the two chips is very thin. And one thing to be noted if you overclock the Ryzen 5 3600, it will perform just identically. While the price of Ryzen 5 3600X is 25 percent higher than the Ryzen 5 3600, the Ryzen 5 3600X only manages to perform 3.68 percent better than its counterpart. So clearly the Ryzen 5 3600 will give you more performance per dollar. You should buy Ryzen 5 3600. And if you overclock the Ryzen 5 3600, it will just perform the same as Ryzen 5 3600X. But if someone who actually cares about those 4-5 extra frames and thinks you can spend $50 for those frames, then you can purchase the Ryzen 5 3600X. Otherwise, you should go with Ryzen 5 3600.