The Ryzen 5 5600X is about 26% faster than the Ryzen 5 3600 in games. In 8 popular games at 1080p (Low settings), the Ryzen 5 5600X averages about 211 FPS and the Ryzen 5 3600 about 167 FPS.
Estimated average FPS at 1080p, Low settings with a fast graphics card, where the processor sets the frame rate.
How each processor compares with the official processor requirements of new PC games.
| Game | Ryzen 5 5600X | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Evil Requiem | Meets recommended | Meets recommended |
| Forza Horizon 6 | Meets recommended | Meets minimum |
| Gears of War: E-Day | Meets recommended | Meets minimum |
| Crimson Desert | Meets recommended | Meets minimum |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 | Above recommended | Meets recommended |
| Phantom Blade Zero | Meets recommended | Meets minimum |
| Ryzen 5 5600X | Ryzen 5 3600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance score | 126 ✓ | 100 |
| Cores / threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Max boost clock | 4.6 GHz ✓ | 4.2 GHz |
| Base power | 65 W | 65 W |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| Released | 2020 | 2019 |
Official specs from Intel and AMD. Performance score: Ryzen 5 3600 = 100.
Will a new processor fix your FPS? Read CPU Bottleneck Explained.
Yes. The Ryzen 5 5600X is about 26% faster in games. In our 8 test games at 1080p (Low settings) it averages about 211 FPS vs 167 FPS.
It is a noticeable upgrade (about 26% faster), worth it if you can sell your Ryzen 5 3600 or find a good price.
For gaming, the Ryzen 5 5600X. For streaming and video editing, more cores and threads help: Ryzen 5 5600X has 6/12, Ryzen 5 3600 has 6/12 (cores/threads).
Every processor has a gaming performance score (Ryzen 5 3600 = 100) based on published benchmark averages. FPS come from the same model as our FPS Estimator, with a fast graphics card so only the processors differ. They are estimates, not benchmarks.
How we compare: scores are gaming performance averages from published benchmarks (TechPowerUp, Tom's Hardware and others), and FPS come from the same model as our FPS Estimator, calibrated on benchmark results. They are estimates for typical gameplay, not our own lab tests. Updated October 2026. See our editorial standards.