The prices of Ryzen 5 5600X and Ryzen 7 3700X are almost similar. But, when you look at both of these, the Ryzen 7 3700X seems to be the best pick in any circumstance. It has 8 cores and 16 threads and the 5600X has 6 cores and 12 threads. But, the Ryzen 5 5600X comes with a higher base and boost clock frequency. This is where the confusion arises.
The Ryzen 5 5600X is based on the 4th Generation Zen 2 micro-architecture. However, the Ryzen 7 3700X is based on Zen 2 3rd generation micro-architecture. So, if we talk about the specifications and enhancements, the latest generation is always the better. You might get confused by the series of these CPUs here. The Ryzen 7 3700X is surely coming from the latest series but the micro-architecture is older and outdated as compared to that of the 5600X’s.
But, still, when it comes to making a decision, you will have to rely on the benchmark scores. We are going to cover everything here in this article.
We are going to compare everything step-by-step so that you are left with no confusion.
Theoretical Specifications (Comparison)
Let’s compare the main specifications of these two CPUs. Obviously, you will get to see them on the official pages of these products. But, I am making it easier for you to see all the data here in the table below.
| Specification | Ryzen 7 3700X | Ryzen 5 5600X |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Generation | Zen 2 (3rd Generation) | Zen 3 (4th Generation) |
| Cores/Threads | 8/16 | 6/12 |
| Base Clock/Boost Clock | 3.6/4.4 GHz | 3.7/4.6 GHz |
| Cache (L1/L2/L3) | 512KB/4MB/32MB | -/3MB/32MB |
| Overclocking | Available | Available |
| PCIe Version | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Memory Support | DDR4 (up to 3200 MHz) | DDR4 (up to 3200 MHz) |
| Cooling Solution | Wraith Prism with LED | Wraith Stealth |
| Integrated Graphics Card | No | No |
With this table, you can come to a conclusion that the Ryzen 7 3700X has a higher number of cores and threads. But, at the same time, you see that the Ryzen 5 5600X can work on comparatively higher clock speeds. So, which one should be your choice? Let’s see below.
Synthetic Benchmark Scores (Comparison)
These benchmark scores are based on the results available on CPUBenchmark website. The higher the score, the better the performance.
| Parameter | Ryzen 7 3700X | Ryzen 5 5600X |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Mark Score | 22716 | 22087 |
| Single-Core Score | 1253 | 1615 |
| Multi-Core Score (Geekbench) | 8406 | 8156 |
| Single-Thread Rating | 2680 | 3377 |
The results are clear. When it comes to the overall CPU performance, the Ryzen 7 3700X is beating the Ryzen 5 5600X. The reason is that it has a higher number of cores and threads. But, if we talk about the single-core or single-thread performance, the 5600X is a better option.
Which one is good for gaming?
Well, it is a completely accepted fact that a CPU with higher single-core performance is good for gaming. So, here, if we talk about gaming, the Ryzen 5 5600X is better because it can perform better when it comes to the single-core and single-thread performance.
But, if you are playing modern games, most of them are going to make use of multiple cores as well. So, in that case, the Ryzen 7 3700X would also be a good option.
However, the Ryzen 7 3700X isn’t that bad if we look at the comparisons. So, it can also work just fine. The results will be almost similar. However, if gaming is your main priority and you have to choose one between both, just go for the 5600X. I am not denying the fact that the 3700X is a bad CPU but because of the latest architecture of 5600X, I would recommend it.
The TDP of both these CPUs is the same i.e. 95W. So, you do not have to buy any third-party cooler while you are playing games. However, if you are not sure of that, read this article.
For more, you can see this gaming benchmark score video from Testing Games YouTube Channel.
If you don’t want to watch this video, let me tell you the results.
The 5600X was capable of offering 5-10% higher FPS in all the games as compared to the 3700X.
Which one is good for productivity? 3700X or 5600X
Again, you’ll first have to see which software you are going to use. For example, if you are about to use video editing software or animation programs, you are good to go with the CPU that has more cores and a better multi-core performance. A good multi-core performance is important when your work included multi-tasking.
So, if you are looking for a CPU to do your job or any other productive task, you should go with the Ryzen 7 3700X. Again, the 5600X will also work fine but it has a lesser number of cores. So, if you want a good multitasking performance, a CPU with more core is good for you and hence you should choose the Ryzen 7 3700X.
Final Verdict
I hope you are now having a good idea of what to expect from these CPUs and which one to choose as per your needs.
I would again like to tell you that the Ryzen 5 5600X is good if you want to play games or run a single program at a time. It is a good CPU if you don’t want to multitask.
On the other hand, the Ryzen 7 3700X will be good if you are looking for a CPU for productivity and multitasking. It is good enough for gaming as well. We can say that the 3700X is a versatile CPU between the both. The benchmark scores are almost similar. So, when you are getting a good overall performance, why not go with the 3700X.
But, for gamers, I would recommend 5600X.
Thanks for reading!
I am Anshul Rana, an experienced author specializing in PC gear reviews and Windows 10 software tutorials. With a strong passion for technology and an in-depth understanding of the PC industry, I provide insightful and detailed analyses of computer peripherals, gaming gear, and software solutions. My writing style is concise yet informative, making complex topics accessible to both beginners and advanced users. Through my reviews and tutorials, I aim to offer valuable guidance, helping readers make informed decisions to enhance their PC experience and explore the vast possibilities of Windows 10 software.
