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AMD Ryzen 5 5600 vs AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

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

all judged against desktop processors at a similar price

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X scores 5.4/10 overall, ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 at 4.9/10.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 leads on efficiency.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X leads on multi-core performance, single-core performance and platform.

They score the same on integrated graphics.

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 7 5800X

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

5.4/10verdict: good, not the best

The Ryzen 7 5800X suits builders who want eight Zen 3 cores on the AM4 socket for compiling, VMs and general desktop work. It fits someone who already has or plans to buy a discrete graphics card. It is a poor match for a headless server or media box that needs built-in video output.

Typically about £199.99 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 7 5800X
Multi-core performance25%6/107/10
Single-core performance20%6/107/10
Efficiency20%6/105/10
Platform20%5/106/10
Integrated graphics15%0/100/10
Overall4.9/105.4/10

Specifications

SpecAMD Ryzen 5 5600AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
Cores / threads6 cores / 12 threads, Zen 3 (Vermeer)8 cores / 16 threads
Base / boost clockBase 3.5 GHz, max boost up to 4.4 GHzBase 3.8 GHz, boost up to 4.7 GHz
SocketAM4AM4
TDP65W105W
CacheL1 384 KB, L2 3 MB, L3 32 MBL2 4 MB, L3 32 MB
Integrated graphicsNone; discrete graphics card requiredNone; discrete graphics card required
Memory supportDDR4 only, 2 channels, up to 128 GB, UDIMM, up to 3200 MT/sDDR4, up to 3200 MT/s

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 7 5800X

  • + Eight cores and 16 threads on Zen 3
  • + Boost clock up to 4.7 GHz
  • + Works across X570, X470, B550, B450 and A520 boards
  • − No integrated graphics; discrete card required
  • − Owners report high temperatures at idle and under load
  • − 105W TDP

Skip it if:

  • Anyone building a headless server or media box without a graphics card
  • Buyers who need very quiet or cool always-on running
  • People needing 12 or more cores for heavy rendering or many VMs
Read the full AMD Ryzen 7 5800X review ›

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