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It’s only normal that those who use their computers for extended amounts of time and for certain uses will need a desktop processor. These small yet powerful devices are exceptional at giving your PC instructions on how to most effectively use power. If you need to get things done faster, a modern processor will get your tasks done faster and more efficiently.
For the combination of quality and price, AMD has made a very good name for itself. With that in mind, we are going to look at the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600. We will look at the speed, memory, and technology in order to decide which is the better processor. Before the final verdict, we will add a comparison chart and some pros and cons of each.
We will start with what the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 have in common.
AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600 – Similarities
Quick Glance
We will recap the specifications of the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 in the following comparison chart.
AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | |
| Image |  |  |
| Size | 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.3 inches | 1.57 x 1.57 x 0.24 inches |
| Weight | 1lb | 0.1lbs |
| Ideal Uses | Gaming and creators | Gaming and creators |
| Processor | 6 Cores, 12 thread 3.9 GHz (base clock 3.4 GHz) | 6 Cores, 12 thread 4.2 GHz (base clack 3.6 GHz) |
| PCIe 4.0 | No | Yes |
| L2 Cache | 3MB | 3MB |
| L3 Cache | 16MB | 32MB |
| Memory Version | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| Cooler | AMD Wraith Stealth Cooler | AMD Wraith Stealth Cooler |
| AMD StoreMI Technology | Yes | Not stated |
| AMD SenseMI Technology | Yes | Not stated |
| Overclock | Yes | Yes |
| CPU Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| Price |
Appearance
There is just a fraction of a size difference, but this is probably down to the product description. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.3 inches, and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is 1.57 x 1.57 x 0.24 inches. There seems to be an error in the product description as the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 weighs 1 pound and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 0.1 pounds. Either way, the appearance is not relevant as it won’t be on display.
Idea Uses
The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 are perfect for gamers with high-quality FPS gaming performance. The smooth performance of both processors, they are an excellent choice for professional video creators and artists.
The Cooler
All of the AMD processors have been updated with the newly designed Wraith Coolers. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 come with the Wraith Stealth Cooler and an AM4 4-pin connector. This helps to keep the temperature down during high load times. As well as keeping the processor cool, you get a boost in performance.
Memory Version
The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 use the fourth-generation Double Data Rate or DDR4. It has a high bandwidth and leads to faster transfer speeds.
Overclocking
When you overclock a processor, you increase the clock rate to a speed higher than it was designed for. This isn’t only great for gaming, but you will also be able to edit photos and videos much faster and smoother. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 are unlocked for overclocking.
We will now go over the specifications that differ between the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600.
Differences Between AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and AMD Ryzen 5 3600
The Processor
Both processors have 6 cores and 12 threads. Their speeds are slightly different.
AMD Ryzen 5 2600
It’s a 3.9 GHz processor with a base clock of 3.4 GHz.
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
The processor is 4.2 GHz, and the base clock is also faster at 3.6 GHz.
The Winner Is- The AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Read next – AMD Ryzen 5 3600 vs AMD Ryzen 7 3700X: Which Desktop Processors are Better?
PCIe 4.0
Another fourth-generation technology, PCIe 4.0 is the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express.
AMD Ryzen 5 2600
There is no product information about PCIe 4.0
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
With PCIe 4.0, the processor is faster, certain games will load faster, and overall, the PC is snappier.
The Winner Is- The AMD Ryzen 5 3600
The Caches
The L2 cache of both processors is 3MB. The biggest difference is with the L3 cache.
AMD Ryzen 5 2600
The L3 cache is 16MB
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
There is a massive cache with 32MB.
The Winner Is- The AMD Ryzen 5 3600
AMD StoreMI Technology
This technology combines SSD with HDD capacity thanks to a new acceleration algorithm. Data integrity is enhanced, and storage is expanded and accelerated.
AMD Ryzen 5 2600
This processor comes with AMD StoreMI Technology.
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
There is no information in the product description about AMD StoreMI Technology.
The Winner Is- The AMD Ryzen 5 2600
AMD SenseMI Technology
With a grid of smart sensors, CPU temperature, resource usage, and power are all monitored for a cooler and quieter operation.
AMD Ryzen 5 2600
You can take advantage of the AMD SenseMI Technology with this processor.
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Again, there is no mention of this processor having AMD SenseMI Technology.
The Winner Is- The AMD Ryzen 5 2600
Pros and Cons
Before the final verdict, here are some pros and cons of the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600.
AMD Ryzen 5 2600
Pros:
- It’s a very cool processor
- It overclocks easily
- A great option for VR
Cons:
- The thermal paste could be improved
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Pros:
- An incredibly fast processor
- The installation is relatively simple
- For the performance, the price is excellent
Cons:
- There have been some issues with a slight noise that might be resolved with some tweaking
The Final Verdict
We have a clear winner today, despite being a little more expensive, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is a better processor. There is a noticeable difference in improved speed compared with the AMD Ryzen 5 2600. Generally, the entire performance of the PC is improved regardless of what demanding task you are doing. It is well worth the extra cost for the amazing performance.