AMD Ryzen 5 3600 vs AMD Ryzen 5 2600X: comparison
Comparison of AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and AMD Ryzen 5 2600X: key differences and a full specification table.
Key differences
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has a larger L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB), a lower TDP (65 W vs 95 W), a finer process node (7 nm vs 12 nm) and a newer PCIe version (4 vs 3).
Both processors match on: core count (6), thread count (12), base clock (3.6 GHz), maximum clock (4.2 GHz), memory channels (2).
These are specification values: they show differences between the models but do not determine a performance winner. For a specific workload, rely on independent benchmarks.
Key specifications
| Parameter | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Max boost clock | 4.2 GHz | 4.2 GHz |
| L3 cache | 32 MB | 16 MB |
| TDP | 65 W | 95 W |
| Process | 7 nm | 12 nm |
| Integrated graphics | Discrete Graphics Card Required | Discrete Graphics Card Required |
Full specification table
Differing values are highlighted. This is not a better/worse rating: numbers from different architectures are not always comparable.
| Parameter | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Codename | Matisse | Pinnacle Ridge |
| Segment | Boxed Processor | Boxed Processor |
| Product line | AMD Ryzen 5 Desktop Processors | AMD Ryzen 5 Desktop Processors |
| Product family | AMD Ryzen Processors | AMD Ryzen Processors |
| Process | 7 nm | 12 nm |
| Launch date | 07/07/2019 | 04/19/2018 |
| Unlocked for overclocking | Yes | Yes |
| Operating system support | Windows 11 - 64-Bit Edition, Windows 10 - 64-Bit Edition, RHEL x86 64-Bit, Ubuntu x86 64-Bit | Windows 11 - 64-Bit Edition, Windows 10 - 64-Bit Edition, RHEL x86 64-Bit, Ubuntu x86 64-Bit |
| Recommended cooling | Wraith Stealth | Wraith Spire |
| CPU | ||
| Cores | 6 | 6 |
| Threads | 12 | 12 |
| Base clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.6 GHz |
| Max boost clock | 4.2 GHz | 4.2 GHz |
| L1 cache | 384 KB | 576 KB |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 3 MB |
| L3 cache | 32 MB | 16 MB |
| TDP | 65 W | 95 W |
| Memory | ||
| Memory types | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
| Max memory speed | 3.2 GHz | 2.933 GHz |
| Graphics | ||
| Integrated graphics | Discrete Graphics Card Required | Discrete Graphics Card Required |
| Has integrated graphics | No | No |
| I/O and interfaces | ||
| PCI Express revision | 4 | 3 |
| Package and thermal | ||
| Sockets supported | AM4 | AM4 |
| TJUNCTION | 95 °C | 95 °C |
| Security and virtualization | ||
| Supported technologies | — | AMD StoreMI Technology, AMD SenseMI Technology, AMD Ryzen Master Utility, AMD Ryzen VR-Ready Premium |
| Identifiers | ||
| Product ID (OEM) | 100-000000031 | YD260XBCM6IAF |
| Product ID (Box) | 100-100000031BOX | YD260XBCAFBOX |
| Product ID (MPK) | 100-100000031MPK | YD260XBCAFMPK |
| Bundled cooler | Wraith Stealth | Wraith Spire |