Ryzen 7 2700x vs Ryzen 5 3600 – Which one you should Buy

What are the differences between Ryzen 7 2700X and AMD Ryzen 5 3600?

We compared two desktop CPUs: the 3.7 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 2700X with 8-cores against the 3.6 GHz Ryzen 5 3600 with 6-cores. 

Ryzen 7 2700x and Ryzen 5 3600 Comparison

Specifications

Full technical specification of AMD Ryzen 7 2700X and Ryzen 5 3600

General

Vendor	AMD	AMD
Released	April 19, 2018	July 7, 2019
Launch price	329 USD	199 USD
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Codename	Zen+	Zen 2
Socket	AM4	AM4
Integrated GPU	No	No

Performance

Cores	8	6
Threads	16	12
Base Frequency	3.7 GHz	3.6 GHz
Turbo Boost Frequency	4.3 GHz	4.2 GHz
Bus frequency	100 MHz	100 MHz
Multiplier	37x	36x
L1 Cache	96K (per core)	96K (per core)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512K (per core)
L3 Cache	16MB (shared)	32MB (shared)
Unlocked Multiplier	Yes	Yes

Power

Transistors	4.8 billions	4.9 billions
Fabrication process	12 nm	7 nm
TDP	105 W	65 W
Max. temperature	85°C	95°C

Memory support

Memory types	DDR4-2933	DDR4-3200
Memory Size	64 GB	128 GB
Max. Memory Channels	2	2
Max. Memory Bandwidth	43.71 GB/s	47.68 GB/s
ECC Support	Yes	No

Misc

Official site	AMD Ryzen 7 2700X official page	AMD Ryzen 5 3600 official page
PCI Express Version	3.0	4.0
PCI Express Lanes	20	20

Ryzen 7 2700x Features

The Ryzen 7 2700X is one of my favourite processor from AMD because it is way too superior in performance and price as compared to Intel’s high priced chips. Based on Zen+ architecture, the Ryzen 7 2700X is a 2^nd generation processor that features 8 Cores, each core executing two threads, making a total of 16 threads on a 12nm process node. The 12nm processor features up to 4.8bn transistors that provide you with excellent performance and handle workload easily.

The 2700X clocks about 3.7GHz on base and a 4.3GHz on turbo boost. The 2700X comes with the Wraith Prism RGB stock cooler that offers higher performance with lowered temperatures. The Ryzen 7 2700X comes with the DDR4-2933 memory type, with a memory size of 64GB and ECC Support; it also features PCI 3.0 with 20 Express Lanes.

The 2700X has a TDP of about 105 watts with a maximum temperature of up to 85C and edges almost every processor in performance that is close to its price range. Overall, there is a significant performance boost, and it comes with an excellent stock cooler that is too reasonable.

Ryzen 5 3600 Features

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor is based on Zen 2 architecture built on a 7nm process node that features 6 six cores, and each core is executing two threads, making 12 threads.  The Ryzen 5 3600 is a powerful processor featuring up to 4.9bn transistors that boast 3.6GHz on base clock and up to 4.2GHz on boost clock; it makes sure to provide a smooth gaming experience.

The 3600 features better Cache memory that promises to give you better performance. 3600 features the DDR4-3200 memory type that bags up to 128GB memory size with no ECC support.  It also features a 65W TDP with a maximum temperature of up to 95C. It also features a Wraith Stealth Cooler that ensures to keep the temperature down and offer better performance for your system. The Ryzen 5 3600 also features PCI 4.0.

The Differences between Ryzen 7 2700X and Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 7 2700X and Ryzen 5 3600 have almost a year gap in their release dates, the 3600 releasing a year after the 2700X on July 7, 2019. The 2700X processor is based on Zen+ architecture, while the 3600 is based on the modern Zen 2 architecture. 

The Ryzen 7 2700X is built on a 12nm process node and contains about 4.8bn transistors on it, while the Ryzen 5 3600 is built on a smaller 7nm process node and has nearly 4.9bn transistors on it.

There is also a difference in the number of cores and threads on these processors; the 2700X features eight cores, each core executing two threads, making a total of 16 threads, while the 3600 features six cores, each core running two threads, making a total of 12 threads. So the 2700X has two extra cores and four extra threads.

The Ryzen 7 2700X also features a better clock frequency, boasting about 3.7GHz on base and 4.3GHz on turbo boost, while the 3600 clocks slightly less, 3.6GHz on base and up to 4.2GHz on turbo boost.

On the other hand, due to the more number of transistors on the 3600, it features more Cache data on L3, i.e. 32MB, compared to 2700X’s 16MB.  The 2700X features a TDP of 105W with maximum temperatures of about 85C, while the 3600 features a TDP of 65W with maximum temperatures of about 95C. The Ryzen 3600 also features better memory type and memory size, i.e. DDR4-3200 and 128GB memory size, compared to 2700X’s DDR4-2933 and 64GB memory size.

The Ryzen 7 2700X may have better clock speeds and more cores and threads. Still, the superior manufacturing technology of the 3600 promises to provide you with about 1.5% better performance than the 2700X on benchmark tests.  In our opinion, the Ryzen 5 3600 proves to offer better performance due to modern technology, smaller chip, more transistors, and lower power consumption.

Conclusion:

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is without a doubt the better processor here, featuring higher RAM speed, about 267MHz faster than the 2700X. It has a smaller process chip, more transistors and a bigger L3 Cache data, that too with about 40-watts lower thermal design power than the 2700X. All these excellent features make sure to provide excellent performance than the 2700X. The Ryzen 3600 overtakes the 2700X in almost every place except the extra cores and threads.

After running different tests on both processors, it is clear that the 3600 is perfect for gaming enthusiasts. Still, if you are using your PC more than just gaming, like running intensive applications like video-editing and other demanding applications, then the 2700X would be a better choice because it can easily handle the workload with those extra cores.

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