AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs AMD Ryzen 5 5500
Get the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X unless you need to save a few bucks. It’s the budget option that crushes the Ryzen 5 5500 in clock speed at 4.6GHz versus 4.2GHz. If you’re gaming or doing content creation, those extra MHz matter. In real-world use, the 5600X’s 32MB L3 cache gives it a significant edge, leading to better gaming performance. With half the cache at just 16MB, the 5500 lags in FPS. Plus, PCIe 4.0 support on the 5600X means faster speeds for modern SSDs and GPUs, which is a game-changer for gaming setups in 2026.
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AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
Comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs AMD Ryzen 5 5500
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
| Criterion | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(29,668)Amazon | ★4.7(9,261)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Zen 3 (Ryzen 5000 Series / Vermeer) | Zen 3 (Ryzen 5000 Series / Cezanne) |
Socket Platform | Socket AM4 (PGA 1331) | Socket AM4 (PGA 1331) |
Cores Threads | 6 Cores / 12 Threads | 6 Cores / 12 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz Base / Up to 4.6 GHz Boost | 3.6 GHz Base / Up to 4.2 GHz Boost |
Cache L2 L3 | 3 MB L2 + 32 MB L3 (35 MB Total) | 3 MB L2 + 16 MB L3 (19 MB Total) |
TDP Power | 65 W | 65 W |
Max Turbo Power | 88 W (PPT) | 88 W (PPT) |
Process Node | TSMC 7nm FinFET (Core Complex) / GlobalFoundries 12nm (I/O Die) | TSMC 7nm FinFET (Monolithic Die) |
Memory Support | DDR4-3200 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 128 GB; ECC Support: Yes (Unbuffered UDIMM; requires mobo support) | DDR4-3200 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 128 GB; ECC Support: No |
Memory Bandwidth Max | N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~51.2 GB/s @ 3200 MT/s) | N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~51.2 GB/s @ 3200 MT/s) |
Pcie Version | PCIe 4.0 (Requires B550 or X570 chipset) | PCIe 3.0 |
Pcie Lanes | 24 Total (20 Usable: x16 Graphics, x4 NVMe) | 24 Total (20 Usable: x16 Graphics, x4 NVMe) |
Igpu | None (Discrete graphics card required) | None (Discrete graphics card required) |
Instruction Features | AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES-NI, SHA, SSE4.1/4.2 | AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES-NI, SHA, SSE4.1/4.2 |
Cooler Included | Yes (Wraith Stealth) | Yes (Wraith Stealth) |
Max Temp | 95°C (203°F) TjMax | 90°C (194°F) TjMax |
Notes Limits | Excellent value for entry-level gaming builds. Uses the mature AM4 platform (no upgrade path to Ryzen 7000/9000). PCIe 4.0 support is motherboard dependent. | Based on 'Cezanne' silicon (disabled iGPU). Limited to PCIe 3.0 speed (slower than 5600/5600X). Smaller L3 cache (16MB) impacts gaming performance vs. standard Zen 3 (32MB). |
Chipset Support | A520, B450, B550, X570, X470, X370, B350, A320 (BIOS update required for older chipsets) | A520, B450, B550, X570, X470, X370, B350, A320 (BIOS update required) |
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AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
✓ Pros:
- • Unbeatable price-to-performance ratio for budget gaming
- • Low power consumption (65W) and easy to cool
- • Mature ecosystem with affordable motherboards and DDR4 RAM
✗ Cons:
- • Dead-end platform (AM4) limits future CPU upgrade options
- • No integrated graphics
- • Included cooler is basic; can get noisy under heavy load
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AMD Ryzen 5 5500
✓ Pros:
- • Most affordable 6-core Zen 3 processor available
- • Low power consumption and easy to cool (Wraith Stealth included)
- • Works on virtually any AM4 motherboard (A320 to X570)
✗ Cons:
- • PCIe 3.0 limitation restricts maximum speed of modern SSDs and GPUs
- • Half the L3 cache of the Ryzen 5 5600, resulting in lower gaming FPS
- • No integrated graphics
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Which one is better?
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is the better buy for most people - its 4.6GHz clock speed crushes the Ryzen 5 5500.
Who should buy each?
Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X if: you want top-notch gaming performance with a clock speed of 4.6GHz, need high-speed PCIe 4.0 support, or are building a future-proof system.
Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 if: you want to save money, need a basic CPU for everyday tasks, or are not focused on high-end gaming.
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X excels if you value unbeatable price-to-performance ratio for budget gaming. AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is better if you prioritize most affordable 6-core zen 3 processor available. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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