AMD Ryzen 5 7600 vs AMD Ryzen 5 5500
The AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is the smarter buy for gaming enthusiasts, offering a turbo speed of 5.1 GHz compared to the 4.2 GHz of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500. In real-world testing, that extra clock speed means smoother gameplay and better overall performance with high-end graphics settings, making it worth the investment for most users. While the Ryzen 5 5500 is an affordable entry option with a solid 6 cores and 12 threads, it falls short with its PCIe 3.0 limitation. This restricts the speed of modern SSDs and GPUs, which can bottleneck your system’s potential. If you're looking at future-proofing your setup for 2026 and beyond, the Ryzen 5 7600's PCIe 5.0 support opens the door to faster storage and graphics upgrades down the line.
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AMD Ryzen 5 7600
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
Comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 vs AMD Ryzen 5 5500
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
| Criterion | AMD Ryzen 5 7600 | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(2,968)Amazon | ★4.7(9,261)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Zen 4 (Ryzen 7000 Series) | Zen 3 (Ryzen 5000 Series / Cezanne) |
Socket Platform | Socket AM5 (LGA 1718) | Socket AM4 (PGA 1331) |
Cores Threads | 6 Cores / 12 Threads | 6 Cores / 12 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz Base / Up to 5.1 GHz Boost | 3.6 GHz Base / Up to 4.2 GHz Boost |
Cache L2 L3 | 6 MB L2 + 32 MB L3 (38 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 5nm FinFET (Core Complex) / 6nm (I/O Die) | TSMC 7nm FinFET (Monolithic Die) |
Memory Support | DDR5-5200 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC 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 ~83.2 GB/s @ 5200 MT/s) | N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~51.2 GB/s @ 3200 MT/s) |
Pcie Version | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
Pcie Lanes | 28 Total (24 Usable for Graphics/Storage) | 24 Total (20 Usable: x16 Graphics, x4 NVMe) |
Igpu | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 Cores, 2200 MHz) | None (Discrete graphics card required) |
Instruction Features | AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, AVX-512, 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 | Efficient 65W design with unlocked multiplier for overclocking (PBO supported). Low power draw (88W PPT max) makes it easy to cool. Integrated graphics intended for display/office use only. | 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 | A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E, B840, B850, X870, X870E | A520, B450, B550, X570, X470, X370, B350, A320 (BIOS update required) |
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AMD Ryzen 5 7600
✓ Pros:
- • Excellent price-to-performance ratio for gaming
- • Highly efficient 65W TDP; runs cool and includes a stock cooler
- • Affordable entry point to the future-proof AM5 platform
✗ Cons:
- • 6 cores may limit performance in heavy multi-threaded productivity
- • Included Wraith Stealth cooler is adequate but can get noisy under load
- • Integrated graphics performance is very basic
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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 7600 is the better buy for most people - its 5.1 GHz turbo speed crushes the Ryzen 5 5500.
Who should buy each?
Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 if: you want maximum gaming performance at 5.1 GHz, need future-proofing with PCIe 5.0, or plan to run demanding applications.
Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 if: you’re looking for the most affordable 6-core processor, need to keep costs down, or don’t require the latest tech for casual gaming.
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
AMD Ryzen 5 7600 excels if you value excellent price-to-performance ratio for 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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