The 2700X is 8 core and 3600 is 6 core CPU’s from AMD. In this article, I will tell what’s the difference and which one you should buy?
 |  |
|---|---|
| RYZEN 7 2700X | RYZEN 5 3600 |
| BUY NOW | BUY NOW |
| PROS | PROS |
| Dramatically improved performance. Reasonably priced. Useful included CPU cooler and software. | Low price. Excellent performance in gaming and applications. PCIe 4.0 support. bundled cooler. Low power consumption. Unlocked multiplier. Backward compatibility. |
| CONS | CONS |
| Highest-energy draw on load | No cheap B-series motherboards with PCIe 4.0. Limited overclocking headroom. No integrated graphics. |
SPECIFICATIONS
| GENERAL | RYZEN 7 2700X | RYZEN 5 3600 |
| 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 | RYZEN 7 2700X | RYZEN 5 3600 |
| 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 | RYZEN 7 2700X | RYZEN 5 3600 |
| 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 | RYZEN 7 2700X | RYZEN 5 3600 |
| 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 |
| EEC Support | Yes | No |
| MISC | RYZEN 7 2700X | RYZEN 5 3600 |
| PCI Express Version | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| PCI Express Lanes | 20 | 20 |
RYZEN 7 2700X is 8 core 16 thread and RYZEN 5 3600 is 6 core 12 threads. The main difference is in the clock speeds, where the base clock of the 2700X is 100MHz higher than the 3600, while the max boost clock is also 100MHz is higher than 3600. But both processors can also be overclocked. This difference results in the TDP of the 2700X being a fair bit higher than the 3600.
PERFORMANCE
To see how these differences practically affect games and applications, I’ve tested them both in the system. Both were tested using the MSI X570 Gaming Pro motherboard with 16GB of dual channel memory at DDR4-3200. For the graphics I’m using my XFX RX 5700XT that’s the best one I’ve got available. I’ve also used the stock cooler that comes with each CPU.
GAMES:
Let’s check out the games first, I’ve tested all games at 1080p and 1440p resolutions.
1. COD Modern Warfare
COD Modern Warfare tested with the built in benchmark at 1080p we’re getting really nice results at all setting levels, with the R5 3600 being quite a bit ahead here, around 10FPS better at low settings and 7FPS ahead in high settings.
Stepping up to 1440p there’s a little decrease in all frame rates, but not too bad yet. The difference between the two CPUs starts getting close together here. R5 3600 is just 2FPS ahead.
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 runs well on both CPU, and again really nice results here at 1080p, with 2FPS improvement at high settings on the R5 3600, and I was able to test this at high setting only. Moving up to 1440p, the frame rates are same here, at high settings, they both were giving 68FPS.
3. Battlefield V
Battlefield V was tested with the built in benchmark, and at 1080p we’re not actually seeing much of a difference between the two CPUs, the results are already extremely close together here, R5 3600 is 6FPS ahead at low settings and 7FPS ahead in ultra settings.
Moving up to 1440p the results are about the same, very close together with an extremely small edge to the R5 3600 but just a few frames per second.
4. Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order
In Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order, at 1080p there was no difference in ultra and epic settings. In both the settings, R5 3600 is ahead with just 4 FPS. Moving up to 1440p, there was no difference in frame rates, both were giving constant 81FPS.
5. Apex Legends
Apex Legends was tested with the built in benchmark at highest settings. At 1080p, R5 3600 was 5FPS ahead and moviing to 1440p, R5 3600 was 4FPS ahead.
6. Control
Control was also tested with the built in benchmark. Again the difference between the two was extremely small, R7 2700x was 1 FPS ahead in terms of average FPS. And when moving to 1440p, there was no difference.
7. PUBG
PUBG at ultra settings with the same test done on both CPUs. The results are even closer. At 1080p, R5 3600 is 6FPS ahead and at 1440p, there was no difference, the game was running at constant 87FPS in both CPU.
8. Gears 5
Gears 5 was tested with the built in benchmark at ultra settings. Again R5 3600 was just 3FPS ahead. And when I tested at 1440p, there was no difference in terms of average FPS.
9. Fortnite
Fortnite was tested with the replay feature. Although it appears there’s a bigger difference, it’s just because the frame rate numbers are higher. At 1080p, this game was giving 240FPS which was ahead than R7 2700x. Moving to 1440p, again R5 3600 was 3FPS ahead.
10. The Outer Worlds
The Outer Worlds was tested with the ulletical FPS benchmark, and I thought this one would be interesting given single threaded CPU performance seems to matter more here compared to many other titles. There was an 6FPS improvement to average FPS at 1080p with the 3600, but at 1440p, the difference decreased to 3FPS.
APPLICATIONS:
1. Cinebench R20 – Single Core
As expected the 3600 is coming out ahead. As both CPUs have not the same core count though there’s not too big of a difference. The R5 3600 was around 5% faster than the R7 2700x.
2. Cinebench R20 – Multi Core
This time R7 2700x was ahead. R7 2700x was ahead because of cores, it has 8 cores and R5 3600 has 6 cores. R7 2700x is around 18% faster which is pretty impressive.
3. Adobe Premiere Pro (Youtube 4K H.264 60FPS)
R7 2700x was faster. This was because of cores. My youtube video was running smooth. But when you compare side by side, you will not find any difference. R5 3600 was about 60 seconds behind, in terms of speed.
CONCLUSION
To summarize the gaming differences, there are no real differences, either CPU will perform essentially the same in games. As per my results, R5 3600 was performing 5% better in all games.
The Ryzen 5 3600 is going for $175 USD, and Ryzen 5 2700x is going to cost an extra $95 or 51% more money.
Although the R7 2700x does perform slightly better out of the box. You’re also getting the better stock cooler with the R7 2700x, but I don’t think that’s worth $95, when you could instead put that budget into an even better aftermarket option.
I wouldn’t consider buying the R7 2700x unless the prices were much closer together, the small improvement in performance just doesn’t seem to be worth it, both when we look at it in terms of gaming or other productivity workloads. And if you upgrading your PC and want to sell old parts you can visit here.
