Buying Guide
The Best Ryzen 5 CPUs for Gaming
Seven six-core Ryzen 5 chips across AM4 and AM5, from the 5600 to the 7600X3D, compared on cache, platform and included cooler.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
13 min read7 products evaluated
Every Ryzen 5 chip has six cores, so the choice comes down to cache, socket and whether a cooler is in the box. The 7600X3D stands apart with 96MB of L3.
We compared those figures from AMD specifications; we did not benchmark these processors.
Quick Picks
Which of the 7 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3DThe largest L3 cache here (96MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Zen 5 Ryzen 5
AMD Ryzen 5 9600XSix Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating.
Best for: New AM5 builds.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Unlocked Zen 4
AMD Ryzen 5 7600XA 5.3GHz boost at 105W.
Best for: AM5 builds with a tower cooler.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best AM5 With a Cooler
AMD Ryzen 5 7600A boxed cooler with integrated graphics.
Best for: Budget AM5 builds.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best AM4 Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 5 5600XA 4.6GHz boost with a boxed cooler.
Best for: Older AM4 boards.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Ryzen 5
AMD Ryzen 5 560032MB of L3 at a low price.
Best for: The lowest-cost gaming builds.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Integrated Graphics
AMD Ryzen 5 8600GRadeon integrated graphics with a boxed cooler.
Best for: Gaming before a card arrives.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8600G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Game Cache1 of 7
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D brings 96MB of L3 cache to a six-core AM5 chip at a 65W rating.
Best for
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games is a problem.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest way into AMD's cache-heavy gaming line on AM5. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 96MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 9600X (32MB). Its 4.7GHz boost clock ranks fifth of 7 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600 (4.4GHz).
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 5 7600 the nearest cheaper option. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 7600; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 7600 has it.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 96MB
- Max boost
- 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 96MB of L3 cache on a six-core chip
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5600 at the time of writing
Best Zen 5 Ryzen 52 of 7
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
The Ryzen 5 9600X brings six Zen 5 cores to AM5 at a 65W rating, which keeps cooling simple.
Best for
- New AM5 builds.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games is a problem.
Why we like it
It suits a budget build now that can take an X3D chip later without changing boards. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5600 at 32MB. On boost clock it leads this guide at 5.4GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X (5.3GHz).
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 5 5600X, based on our last check.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 5 architecture
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 8600G
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5600 at the time of writing
The catch
The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 7600. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 7600 has it.
Best Unlocked Zen 43 of 7
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
The Ryzen 5 7600X is the least expensive route to 240Hz here, with six Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- AM5 builds with a tower cooler.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It needs an aftermarket cooler, since none is included. It matches the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5600 on L3 cache (32MB). Its 5.3GHz boost clock ranks second of 7 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600 (4.4GHz).
On rated power it trails the group at 105W, while the Ryzen 5 7600X3D offers 65W. It also offers the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 105W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 4 architecture
- 5nm process
- PCIe 5.0 support on AM5
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 7600X3D (65W)
The catch
Rated power is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 5 7600X3D covers it better at 65W.
Best AM5 With a Cooler4 of 7
AMD Ryzen 5 7600
The Ryzen 5 7600 is the cheapest way onto AM5 here and ships with a Wraith Stealth cooler.
Best for
- Budget AM5 builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
Six cores are enough for most games paired with a mid-range graphics card. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5600 at 32MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.1GHz: the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 5.4GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5600 comes in at 4.4GHz.
It also offers the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 8600G and the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, based on our last check.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.1GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- Yes
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 4 architecture
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5600 at the time of writing
Best AM4 Boost Clock5 of 7
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
The Ryzen 5 5600X is for AM4 owners: it drops into existing boards after a BIOS update and keeps your DDR4.
Best for
- Older AM4 boards.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It includes a Wraith Stealth cooler but has no integrated graphics. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 7600 and the Ryzen 5 5600 at 32MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.6GHz: the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 5.4GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5600 comes in at 4.4GHz.
It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 5 5600; the Ryzen 5 7600 goes with an AM5 socket. You also get PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. On price it sat fourth of 7, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 9600X and the pricier Ryzen 5 8600G, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- Yes
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- PCIe 4.0 support on B550 and X570 boards
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 8600G
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
The catch
The main gap: no integrated graphics, unlike the Ryzen 5 7600X3D. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 7600X3D has it.
Best Budget Ryzen 56 of 7
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is the lower-clocked, cheaper sibling of the 5600X with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for
- The lowest-cost gaming builds.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is a common drop-in upgrade for AM4 owners. It matches the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 7600 and the Ryzen 5 5600X on L3 cache (32MB). Its 4.4GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 5 9600X leads at 5.4GHz.
Like the Ryzen 5 5600X, it has DDR4 memory, while the Ryzen 5 7600 uses DDR5 memory. It also comes with DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Ryzen 5 7600X was closest.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM4
- Memory
- DDR4
- Cooler in box
- Yes
- Integrated graphics
- No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- DDR4 support that keeps an AM4 upgrade cheap
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 8600G
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
The catch
Boost clock is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 5 9600X covers it better at 5.4GHz.
Best Integrated Graphics7 of 7
AMD Ryzen 5 8600G
The Ryzen 5 8600G pairs six cores with Radeon 760M graphics.
Best for
- Gaming before a card arrives.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It can run a PC without a graphics card until you buy one. On L3 cache it trails the group at 16MB, while the Ryzen 5 7600X3D offers 96MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5GHz: the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 5.4GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5600 comes in at 4.4GHz.
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. Another plus: 65W rating suits a modest air cooler. Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 7600, based on our last check.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 16MB
- Max boost
- 5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- Yes
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Radeon 760M integrated graphics
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 5 7600X3D (96MB)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5600 at the time of writing
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We set side by side seven processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 9 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 7, from the Ryzen 5 7600X3D to the Ryzen 5 8600G, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 5 7600X3D for the largest L3 cache here (96MB); the Ryzen 5 9600X for six Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating; the Ryzen 5 7600X for a 5.3GHz boost at 105W.
- Price range
- From the Ryzen 5 5600 to the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Ryzen 5 CPUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Here L3 cache runs from 16MB on the Ryzen 5 8600G to 96MB on the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, a 500% spread. For less, the Ryzen 5 9600X is the runner-up at 32MB.
Boost clock
The Ryzen 5 9600X tops boost clock at 5.4GHz and the Ryzen 5 5600 sits lowest at 4.4GHz. The Ryzen 5 7600X comes second at 5.3GHz, in the same price tier as the Ryzen 5 9600X.
A desktop CPU seated in its motherboard socket with the retention frame open Rated power
Across these 7 picks rated power spans 105W (the Ryzen 5 7600X) to 65W (the Ryzen 5 7600X3D). For less, the Ryzen 5 9600X is the runner-up at 65W.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D, the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 7600 and the Ryzen 5 8600G list DDR5; the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5600 list DDR4. Sort out memory before price: it splits 7 stated picks into groups of 5 and 2.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 7600X go without; the Ryzen 5 7600, the Ryzen 5 5600X, the Ryzen 5 5600 and the Ryzen 5 8600G have it.
How to Choose a Ryzen 5 CPUs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Ryzen 5 7600X3D | The largest L3 cache here (96MB) |
| New AM5 builds | Ryzen 5 9600X | Six Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating |
| AM5 builds with a tower cooler | Ryzen 5 7600X | A 5.3GHz boost at 105W |
| Budget AM5 builds | Ryzen 5 7600 | A boxed cooler with integrated graphics |
| Older AM4 boards | Ryzen 5 5600X | A 4.6GHz boost with a boxed cooler |
| The lowest-cost gaming builds | Ryzen 5 5600 | 32MB of L3 at a low price |
| Gaming before a card arrives | Ryzen 5 8600G | Radeon integrated graphics with a boxed cooler |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D leads on L3 cache at 96MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 9600X at 32MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 7600X3D | 96MB | 4.7GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 9600X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 7600X | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 6 cores | 105W |
| Ryzen 5 7600 | 32MB | 5.1GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600 | 32MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 8600G | 16MB | 5GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ryzen 5 7600X3D ahead of the Ryzen 5 9600X on L3 cache?
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D tops L3 cache at 96MB; the Ryzen 5 9600X follows at 32MB, 200% apart. The Ryzen 5 8600G closes the ranking at 16MB.
Which has the highest boost clock: the Ryzen 5 9600X or the Ryzen 5 7600X?
Between the top two, it is 5.4GHz on the Ryzen 5 9600X against 5.3GHz on the Ryzen 5 7600X, a 2% difference. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 5600 at 4.4GHz.
Is the Ryzen 5 7600X3D worth paying more than the Ryzen 5 5600?
What it brings is L3 cache (96MB against 32MB) and boost clock (4.7GHz against 4.4GHz). Both sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, so the gains in L3 cache and boost clock cost little extra by tier.
What makes the Ryzen 5 5600X the Best AM4 Boost Clock?
It carries the badge for a 4.6GHz boost with a boxed cooler. It is aimed at older AM4 boards.
Do the Ryzen 5 7600X3D and the Ryzen 5 5600X differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D, the Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 5 7600 and the Ryzen 5 8600G use AM5; the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 5 5600 use AM4.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Ryzen 5 7600X3D and the Ryzen 5 9600X apart?
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D: 96MB of L3 cache on a six-core chip. The Ryzen 5 9600X: the Zen 5 architecture. The Ryzen 5 7600X: the Zen 4 architecture.
Bottom Line
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D has three times the cache of any other Ryzen 5 here. The 9600X is the best Zen 5 option, the 7600X and 7600 cover AM5 budgets, and the 5600X and 5600 extend AM4 boards. The 8600G suits builds without a graphics card yet.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Budget Ryzen CPUs for Gaming
- Related guideThe Best Ryzen CPUs for Gaming
- Related guideThe Best Motherboards for the Ryzen 5 7600
- Higher budgetThe Best High-End Ryzen CPUs for Gaming
- Similar guideThe Best CPUs for Gaming
- ExplainerHow to Choose a CPU for Your PC
- ExplainerCPU Name Suffixes Explained: K, KF, F, X, X3D and G
- Check compatibility: motherboardsHow to Choose a Motherboard for Your PC Build
- Similar guideThe Best X3D CPUs for Gaming
- Topic hubAll processors guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
View all articles