Ryzen 5 2600 vs Ryzen 7 1700 – Which one you should Buy

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Ryzen 5 2600 vs Ryzen 7 1700 Comparison

Full technical specification of AMD Ryzen 7 1700 and Ryzen 5 2600. We compared two desktop CPUs: the 3.0 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 1700 with 8-cores against the 3.4 GHz Ryzen 5 2600 with 6-cores.

Ryzen 5 2600 Processor

Critic Reviews

“So most anticipated piece of PC hardware in recent memory is finally here. This in itself is a new chapter for AMD and one that anyone should appreciate. Remember strong competition is typically always good for the consumer, we can see that with the…”by ThinkComputers

16-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor

Critic Reviews

“AMD Ryzen 5 2600 delivers excellent performance when it comes to games and productivity applications. It is also a great choice if you are building your own PC in a compact case since it has a 65W TDP. The Ryzen 5 2600 is more than just a quality gaming CPU; with its multi-threaded chops, it also has a good value chip.”by TheStreamingBlog


Why you should buy the Ryzen 5 2600

  • Higher clock speeds
  • Better fabrication process
  • Better RAM type
  • Better theoretical memory bandwidths

Why you should buy the Ryzen 7 1700

  • Higher core-count
  • Higher CPU speeds-8x3GHz vs 6×3.4GHz
  • More CPU threads
  • Larger memory size
  • Larger L1 and L2 Cache size

General

VendorAMDAMD
ReleasedSeptember 11, 2018March 2, 2017
Launch price199 USD329 USD
TypeDesktopDesktop
CodenameZen+Zen
SocketAM4AM4
Integrated GPUNoNo

Performance

Cores68
Threads1216
Base Frequency3.4 GHz3.0 GHz
Turbo Boost Frequency3.9 GHz3.7 GHz
Bus frequency100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier34x30x
L1 Cache96K (per core)96K (per core)
L2 Cache512K (per core)512K (per core)
L3 Cache16MB (shared)16MB (shared)
Unlocked MultiplierYesYes

Power

Transistors4.8 billions4.8 billions
Fabrication process12 nm14 nm
TDP65 W65 W
Max. temperature95°C95°C

Memory support

Memory typesDDR4-2933DDR4-2666
Memory Size64 GB64 GB
Max. Memory Channels22
Max. Memory Bandwidth43.71 GB/s39.74 GB/s
ECC SupportYesYes

Misc

Official siteAMD Ryzen 5 2600 official pageAMD Ryzen 7 1700 official page
PCI Express Version3.03.0
PCI Express Lanes2020

Ryzen 5 2600 Features

The Ryzen 5 2600 is one of the most excellent mid-range processors released by AMD in the past few years. Based on the company’s improved Zen+ architecture, the Ryzen 2600 ensures an admirable performance, both in gaming and multitasking.

AMD’s Ryzen 5 2600 is a six-core desktop processor that uses the AM4 platform. It has 12 cores and supports multi-threading. This means that each core can handle two threads at once, resulting in a total of 12 threads on the 2600. The processor is capable of handling heavy workloads without difficulty due to its multi-thread support.

The Ryzen 5 2600 clocks up to 3.4GHz on the Base frequency and 3.9GHz on Turbo Boost frequency with 34x unlocked multipliers. It also features a DDR4-2933 RAM type, which can be seen in several mid-range Ryzen processors. The DDR4-2933 RAM supports up to 64GB size with maximum bandwidths up to 43.71GB/s and ECC support.

Moreover, the Ryzen 2600 also packs a 3MB of L2 cache size, and a shared 16MB of L3 Cache size allows the processor to provide an excellent gaming performance. It also features an outstanding 65W TDP with maximum working temperatures to 95C, which is bundled with the Wraith Stealth stock cooler that makes sure to keep the temperatures down, be more power-efficient, and offer excellent performance.

The multipliers on the Ryzen 2600 are unlocked, which means that you can overclock your processor to get higher frequencies. Still, the bundled Wraith Stealth cooler won’t allow you to achieve significantly higher frequencies. You’ll need a much better aftermarket cooler to overclock it smoothly and get higher frequencies safely.

Ryzen 7 1700 Features

The Ryzen 7 1700 is one of the most brilliant and productive processors out there in the market, costing you just over $300, which offers a higher-core count than Intel’s competing i7 chips. This Ryzen processor can easily compete with Intel’s Core-i7 processors, offering an overall better performance and a pretty decent price tag.

The Ryzen 7 1700 is based on AMD’s Zen architecture built on a 14nm manufacturing process, featuring 8 multi-threaded cores. These multi-threaded cores can execute two threads at once, making a total of 16 threads on the 1700. This Octa-core processor can clock up to 3.0GHz on the Base frequency and 3.7 on Turbo Boost frequency.

With 30x unlocked multipliers, the Ryzen 1700 can overclock and offer higher frequencies. Although it is bundled with the Wraith Spire cooler with LED lighting, the 1700 won’t let you overclock too much; you’ll need a much better aftermarket cooler to achieve higher frequencies.

This processor features a DDR4-2666 RAM with 64GB size and memory bandwidths up to 39.74GB/s. The PCI 3.0 Express version with 20 Express Lanes also reduces loading times and provides an excellent gaming performance. It also packs a 4MB of L2 cache size and a shared 16MB of L3 cache size.

AMD has always made sure to pack significantly larger Cache sizes than Intel’s competing chips, making sure to offer superior performance. It also features an outstanding TDP of 65W with a maximum working temperature of up to 95C, making sure to consume less power and be more power-efficient.

Contrast

The main difference between Ryzen 7 1700 and Ryzen 5 2600 is not that must. Both the processors have almost the same gaming and multitasking performance; the only differences that can be noted are the main features of these two.

If we look at the Ryzen 7 1700, it features 2 extra physical cores and 4 extra CPU threads, with larger Cache sizes. The higher-core count and multi-threading support allow the Ryzen 7 1700 to run almost every game with ease and handle serious productivity tasks without any problem. 

On the other hand, the Ryzen 5 2600 features fewer cores, but it still clocks higher frequencies than the 1700. The improved Zen+ architecture allows the 2600 to achieve higher clock speeds, and the modern technology helps it offer superior single-threaded performance.

Most of the latest games require at least 6 cores to run smoothly, which makes the Ryzen 5 2600 an ideal processor for gaming and light productivity work, that too at a very reasonable price. But, the 1700’s two extra cores come in handy for those who are planning on running extremely serious workloads on their CPUs. The Ryzen 7 1700 is an ideal processor for content-creators, streamers, and other multitaskers. 

Conclusion

The answer is quite simple to wind it up; choosing the perfect processor between these two entirely depends on you. If you’re looking for a processor that offers an excellent gaming performance with decent productivity performance, then you should buy the Ryzen 5 2600.

The 6 multi-threaded cores and higher frequencies will make sure to offer an exceptional gaming experience. It is also about $130 cheaper than the 1700; you can use the saved bucks on some aftermarket stuff to further boost your processor’s performance.

But, if you’re a serious multitasker and you’re planning on running some of the most intensive applications on your processor. The Ryzen 7 1700’s extra two multi-threaded cores will make sure to handle even the cruelest workload without any setbacks.  The Ryzen 7 1700 might cost you an extra $130, but it will also make sure to provide an exceptional gaming performance and handle your productivity workloads. 

6 Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 5 2600:

  •  Slightly better average single-core performance, around 13%.
  •  Slightly better single-core effective value. 
  •  Slightly better workstation effective value. 
  •  Newer Product, it was released around 13 months later.
  •  Higher CPU Clock Frequency (+400MHz).
  •  Higher Max Turbo Clock Frequency (+200MHz).

3 Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 7 1700:

  •  Slightly better average multithreading performance, around 17%.
  •  2 more cores.
  •  4 more threads.

Related:
Ryzen 5 2600 vs Ryzen 5 3600
Ryzen 7 2700x vs Ryzen 5 3600

Nick Miller

It's Nick Miller a 25 year old tech enthusiast and senior editor at Flexgate, i try to make tech simple for the everyday person. You will find review about tech, tools and Computer hardware here.

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