REVIEW: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X the mid-range king at 7nm

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X is the new mid-range AMD processor that we present today in our analysis or review, a chip with which we are going to test the Zen 2 CPUs at 7nm. These new CPUs are called to compete hard with their direct rival Intel, thanks to the new manufacturing process and the improvement in architecture. A new AMD product that, as we will see, offers us a spectacular result for its price and that allows us to assemble a very adjusted all-terrain equipment at a price. Let’s see what this new AMD CPU offers us and how it comes into competition with the same Intel range.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600x review f02 min

PRODUCT DETAILS

Specifications

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X AMD Ryzen 7 3700X AMD Ryzen 5 3600X AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Architecture Zen 2 Zen 2 Zen 2 Zen 2
Core / Threads 12 / 24 8 / 16 6 / 12 6 / 12
Base 3.8GHz 3.6GHz 3.8GHz 3.6GHz
Turbo 4.6GHz 4.4GHz 4.4GHz 4.2GHz
L3 Cache 64MB 32MB 32MB 32MB
RAM Channels 2 (DDR4) 2 (DDR4) 2 (DDR4) 2 (DDR4)
RAM Freq 2667 / 3200MHz 2667 / 3200MHz 2667 / 3200MHz 2667 / 3200MHz
Process 7nm 7nm 7nm 7nm
TDP 105W 65W 95W 65W
MSRP $499 / 547€ $329 / 388€ $249 / 269€ $199 / 218€

The main difference between this new generation AMD Ryzen 5 3000 with the previous models are the Zen 2 cores that go from directly from 14nm to 7nm with the consequent improvement in performance. These desktop processors do not integrate GPU so it is necessary to use a dedicated GPU, in addition we now have PCIe 4.0 support so we can get the most out of any compatible peripheral. The basic difference between the 3600X and 3600 is the standard overclock, if we want to save something you can opt for the second if we have enough knowledge.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600x review f07 min

The IPC performance is also significantly improved by 15% (Instructions per cycle) and the size of the internal L3 cache is doubled, being twice what we found in the previous Zen and Zen + models. The consumption of this processor is 95W TPD and includes a Wraith Spire fan designed for processors with this maximum consumption with very good performance and low loudness.

START UP

Testing hardware

We connect all the components of our test platform with the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X without complications, as we have seen the Socket is still the AM4 but we must bear in mind that we must have an updated BIOS before installing the processor. It is convenient for RAM to ensure that it is fully compatible with the AMD platform.

To assemble the set we have opted for the following elements:

Component Reference Price
Processor Ryzen 5 3600X $239 (269€)
Motherboard (top tier) MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE $574 (778€)
Motherboard (basic tier) MSI B450 Gaming Plus $85 (99€)
RAM GSkill Flare X DDR4 3200MHz – 16GB (8 GB x2) $158 (215€)
PSU Silverstone SST-SX700-G – 700 W $146 (166€)
Storage PNY XLR8 CS3030 NVMe M.2 500GB $76 (91€)
GPU Sapphire Radeon Pulse RX Vega 56 $309 (331€)

Thanks to the collaboration of AMD, we have achieved the spectacular MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE motherboard for our testing, without a doubt the most complete board I have ever tried. A motherboard that allows us to connect graphics cards or PCI-E 4.0 devices of the latest generation and has an extremely detailed BIOS to configure everything to our liking. It also includes a dedicated fan in key components, integrated RGB lights system and an 8-channel DAC Xtreme audio card.

  • CPU Socket AM4
  • Chipset AMD X570 Chipset
  • GPU interface 4 x PCI-E 4.0 x16 slots
  • RAM x4 DIMM, dual channel DDR4 4800+(OC) MHz
  • Storage 6 x ports SATA 6Gbs / 3 x Lightning M.2 Gen4
  • Ports USB 5 x USB 3.2 (Gen2,3A+2C) + 6 x USB 3.2 (Gen1) + 4 x USB 2.0
  • Audio 8 channels (7.1) HD with Xtreme audio DAC
  • Killer E3000 2.5G LAN, Killer E2600 Gigabit LAN
  • Killer WIFI 6 AX 1650

A motherboard that allows maximum performance to both the processor and other components such as RAM and NVMe disks, which is accompanied by a 10GB network card and a PCIe card to add two NVMe disks with fan. A PCB for high level gamers or very demanding users, as an alternative we can go to a motherboard with Chipset B450 much simpler but perfectly valid for normal use.

HARDWARE TEST

Storage, RAM and Ports

We perform speed tests on the new AMD Ryzen 5 3600X processor using a PNY XLR8 CS3030 NVMe M.2 500GB disk and with the 16 GB of GSkill Flare X DDR4 3200MHz – 16GB (8 GB x2) RAM configured in Dual Channel, the figures we have as we can see remain in very good values and get the maximum performance of the components. We are surprised by the speed of reading the RAM but also the writing speed that is much lower.

Electric consumption, temperature and noise

We test the consumption of the new AMD Ryzen 5 3600X thanks to the Zen 2 with 7nm architecture and the integrated specifications we have a consumption of 95W TPD. As we can see with our test hardware with the entire assembly assembled and performing desktop test tests we reach up to 74W on average and the normal thing in heavy work for example is to stay between 150W. A very controlled consumption if we compare it with the processor of this range of Intel, the 9600K and that improves substantially to the 2600X, without doubt the architecture in 7nm has much to say.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X test eng Power 01 min

We perform several types of thermal tests to check the performance in each use scenario, with this data we can get an idea of the real global performance that the system will have during its useful life. The Wraith Spire series fan behaves correctly and in our tests it has always been silent unless we take it to the maximum, something that only happens very punctually if we have a closed box and we maintain a stress test for a long time.

  • Extreme performance: Temperature 72ºC Max. / CPU 4.4 GHz / NO thermal throttling.
  • Performance in gaming: Fortnite 65ºC / CPU 4.2 GHz average.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X test eng Temp 01 min

PERFORMANCE TEST

Processor

The new AMD Ryzen 5 3600X processor with eight Zen 2 CPU cores at 7nm and twelve threads running up to 4.4GHz, this model does not integrate Radeon Vega GPU. As we can see in the performance tests in general, that IPC +15% increase in performance is fulfilled compared to the previous generation, where the most noteworthy results are in the applications that take advantage of the multicore with its 12 simultaneous threads.

  • If you want to know some of the models compared you can read their detailed reviews on this link.

The Cinebench test reflects well the gross performance of this processor, as we see the CPU is at the level of its Intel rivals far exceeding the multicore performance as is logical with its number of threads.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X test eng CineBench 01 min

If we pass the Geekbench test we find figures very similar to the previous test which gives us a confirmation of those figures, we have similar results in CPU, an improvement in single core performance compared to Zen 1.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X test eng GeekBench 01 min

With the test PCMark we get figures for desktop use where we see results combined between the use of the CPU and the GPU, the values reflect a pretty good performance and are tailored to the competition.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X test eng PCMark 01 min

Games

We passed our performance tests on games on the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, the results are excellent compared to the competing solution of Intel i5-9600K. For the tests we use an Sapphire Radeon Pulse RX Vega 56 8GB GPU, a product of the mid / high range of its sector that works perfectly in conjunction with this processor. As we can see in the results the most powerful AAA titles we can reach excellent figures in 1080p resolutions with high settings, we can jump to 1440p without any problem depending on the settings we like to squeeze and the FPS we want to synchronize with our monitor.

  • GPU settings: High quality, NO VSync, 1080p.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X test eng games 01 min

Overclock

The new AMD Ryzen 5 3600X processor allows minimal overclock, we can use the AMD Ryzen Master app or another compatible one like that of our motherboard, it is recommended as it is logical to have a better heatsink than the standard one and a motherboard with X570 controller. All these economic sacrifices do not think they compensate to get about 200Mhz more easily in the 3600X, something that can compensate in the 3600 with a B450 controller playing with voltages and Precision Boost Overdrive.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600x review a03 min

CONCLUSIONS

Score

Opinion

After analyzing the new AMD Ryzen 5 3600X processor we can say we are facing an excellent processor for any user who wants to mount a gaming device, where its only rival is possibly the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 that offers similar performance for a tighter price. If we compare it with the Intel Core i5-9600K, which would be its direct rival for price, we have a very similar performance but with 6 threads less, something that makes AMD win points. The IPC performance looks much better in these Zen 2 cores with 7nm and we are looking forward to see it making the leap to the APU family with integrated GPU where they will shine in all their splendor.

This new AMD Ryzen 5 3600X has a consumption of 95W TPD but as we see in the graphs of power consumption the temperatures are maintained at an excellent level with the Wraith Spire series fan. As we can see, it is a processor that will allow us to play without problems to any AAA title in high or very high settings with 1440p resolutions with an excellent frame rate, you just have to combine it with a GPU at the height of course.

In general as we see an excellent processor to assemble a Gaming PC and as we say its only direct rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 that does not have such a high top speed, something that at the user level is almost negligible. In any case we are facing a super sales product that puts its direct rival Intel in trouble that will have to improve a lot or lower prices to compete.

WHERE TO BUY

AMD Ryzen 5 3600x review f01 min

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X

0.00
7.8

Monocore power

7.5/10

Multicore power

8.5/10

Thermals

8.5/10

Overclock

7.0/10

Price

7.5/10

Pros

  • Excellent for Gaming
  • Silent fan included
  • Better IPC
  • Excellent performance with 7nm
  • 12 threads

Cons

  • Limited Overclock
  • His rival is Ryzen 5 3600 himself
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