Choosing between the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and 5600 can be tricky. This guide breaks down their specs, performance, and value to help you make the right decision.
Specs and Architecture
Both CPUs are based on AMD's Zen 3 architecture, but the 5600 has a slight edge in clock speed and double the L3 cache:
| Specification | Ryzen 5 5500 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores/Threads | 6/12 | 6/12 |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz | 4.4 GHz |
| L2 Cache | 3MB | 3MB |
| L3 Cache | 16MB | 32MB |
| TDP | 65W | 65W |
| PCIe Support | 3.0 | 4.0 |
Gaming Performance
The 5600's higher clock speed and larger cache give it a performance advantage in games:
| Game | Ryzen 5 5500 (FPS) | Ryzen 5 5600 (FPS) |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 131 | 135 |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 170 | 179 |
| Far Cry 6 | 195 | 205 |
| Assassin’s Creed Valhalla | 147 | 149 |
| Forza Horizon 5 | 243 | 245 |
| Rainbow Six Siege | 266 | 281 |
Productivity Performance
The 5600's advantages also translate to productivity tasks:
| Benchmark | Ryzen 5 5500 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cinebench R23 (Multi-core) | 10,550 | 11,800 |
| Blender (Classroom Render) | 172s | 158s |
| Adobe Premiere Pro (4K Export) | 225s | 210s |
| Geekbench 5 (Multi-core) | 6,700 | 7,300 |
Power Efficiency and Overclocking
Both CPUs have a 65W TDP. The 5600 is slightly more power-hungry under load but offers better performance per watt. Both can be overclocked, but the 5600 has greater headroom.
Price and Value
The 5500 offers excellent value for budget-conscious buyers. The 5600 is worth the extra cost for gamers and those who demand the best performance.
Conclusion
The 5600 offers a noticeable performance uplift over the 5500, making it the better choice for those who prioritize speed. However, the 5500 remains a compelling budget option.
