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AMD Ryzen 5 5600 vs AMD Ryzen 5 9600X

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

both judged against desktop processors at a similar price

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X scores 6.4/10 overall, ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 at 4.9/10.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 leads on multi-core performance.

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X leads on single-core performance, efficiency, platform and integrated graphics.

The biggest difference is integrated graphics, where the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X scores 5/10 to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600's 0/10.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600

4.9/10verdict: skip

The Ryzen 5 5600 is for builders who want a 6-core, 12-thread AM4 processor and already plan to fit a discrete graphics card. It suits general desktop use, development work and lighter homelab tasks on DDR4. It does not suit anyone who wants to build without a discrete graphics card.

Typically about £121.98 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X

6.4/10verdict: wait for deal

The Ryzen 5 9600X is for builders who want a six-core AM5 desktop processor with a 65W default TDP. It suits general development, light virtualisation and a workstation or small server where cooling matters. It is less suited to anyone who needs many cores or media transcoding from the integrated graphics.

Typically about £164.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightAMD Ryzen 5 5600AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
Multi-core performance25%6/105/10
Single-core performance20%6/108/10
Efficiency20%6/107/10
Platform20%5/107/10
Integrated graphics15%0/105/10
Overall4.9/106.4/10

Specifications

SpecAMD Ryzen 5 5600AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
Cores / threads6 cores / 12 threads, Zen 3 (Vermeer)6 cores, 12 threads
Base / boost clockBase 3.5 GHz, max boost up to 4.4 GHzBase 3.9 GHz, max boost up to 5.4 GHz
SocketAM4AM5
TDP65W65W default
CacheL1 384 KB, L2 3 MB, L3 32 MBL1 480 KB, L2 6 MB, L3 32 MB
Integrated graphicsNone; discrete graphics card requiredAMD Radeon Graphics, 2 cores, 2200 MHz
Memory supportDDR4 only, 2 channels, up to 128 GB, UDIMM, up to 3200 MT/sDDR5, 2 channels, UDIMM, max DDR5-5600 with 2 DIMMs or DDR5-3600 with 4 DIMMs, max capacity 256 GB on AMD product page, ECC yes with motherboard support

Strengths and weaknesses

AMD Ryzen 5 5600

  • + 6 cores and 12 threads on Zen 3
  • + Works with seven listed AM4 chipsets, including A520 and B550
  • + PCIe 4.0 and DDR4 memory up to 128 GB
  • − No integrated graphics; a discrete card is required
  • − DDR4 only, and ECC support is reported inconsistently
  • − Older AM4 boards may need a BIOS update first

Skip it if:

  • Anyone who wants to build without a discrete graphics card
  • Buyers who need confirmed ECC memory support
  • People wanting more than six cores for heavy parallel workloads
Read the full AMD Ryzen 5 5600 review ›

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X

  • + Boost clock up to 5.4 GHz
  • + 65W default TDP and easy cooling
  • + AM5 with PCIe 5.0 and ECC support
  • − Only 6 cores and 12 threads
  • − Basic integrated graphics with no listed encoding
  • − Owners criticise the launch price

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need 8 or more cores for compiling, rendering or many VMs
  • Plex or Jellyfin users who want to transcode on the integrated graphics
  • Builders who need verified low idle power draw for a server
Read the full AMD Ryzen 5 9600X review ›

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