AMD Ryzen 5 3600 vs AMD Ryzen 5 2600: comparison

Comparison of AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and AMD Ryzen 5 2600: key differences and a full specification table.

Key differences

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has a higher base clock (3.6 GHz vs 3.4 GHz), a higher maximum clock (4.2 GHz vs 3.9 GHz), a larger L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB) and a finer process node (7 nm vs 12 nm).

Both processors match on: core count (6), thread count (12), TDP (65 W), memory channels (2).

These are specification values: they show differences between the models but do not determine a performance winner. For a specific workload, rely on independent benchmarks.

Key specifications

ParameterAMD Ryzen 5 3600AMD Ryzen 5 2600
Cores / threads 6 / 12 6 / 12
Max boost clock 4.2 GHz 3.9 GHz
L3 cache 32 MB 16 MB
TDP 65 W 65 W
Process 7 nm 12 nm
Integrated graphics Discrete Graphics Card Required Discrete Graphics Card Required

Full specification table

Differing values are highlighted. This is not a better/worse rating: numbers from different architectures are not always comparable.

Parameter AMD Ryzen 5 3600 AMD Ryzen 5 2600
General
Codename Matisse Pinnacle Ridge
Segment Boxed Processor Boxed Processor
Product line AMD Ryzen 5 Desktop Processors AMD Ryzen 5 Desktop Processors
Product family AMD Ryzen Processors AMD Ryzen Processors
Process 7 nm 12 nm
Launch date 07/07/2019 04/19/2018
Unlocked for overclocking Yes Yes
Operating system support Windows 11 - 64-Bit Edition, Windows 10 - 64-Bit Edition, RHEL x86 64-Bit, Ubuntu x86 64-Bit Windows 11 - 64-Bit Edition, Windows 10 - 64-Bit Edition, RHEL x86 64-Bit, Ubuntu x86 64-Bit
Recommended cooling Wraith Stealth Wraith Stealth
CPU
Cores 6 6
Threads 12 12
Base clock 3.6 GHz 3.4 GHz
Max boost clock 4.2 GHz 3.9 GHz
L1 cache 384 KB 576 KB
L2 cache 3 MB 3 MB
L3 cache 32 MB 16 MB
TDP 65 W 65 W
Memory
Memory types DDR4 DDR4
Memory channels 2 2
Max memory speed 3.2 GHz 2.933 GHz
Graphics
Integrated graphics Discrete Graphics Card Required Discrete Graphics Card Required
Has integrated graphics No No
I/O and interfaces
PCI Express revision 4 3
Package and thermal
Sockets supported AM4 AM4
TJUNCTION 95 °C 95 °C
Security and virtualization
Supported technologies — AMD StoreMI Technology, AMD SenseMI Technology, AMD Ryzen Master Utility, AMD Ryzen VR-Ready Premium
Identifiers
Product ID (OEM) 100-000000031 YD2600BBM6IAF
Product ID (Box) 100-100000031BOX YD2600BBAFBOX
Product ID (MPK) 100-100000031MPK YD2600BBAFMPK
Bundled cooler Wraith Stealth Wraith Stealth

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