AMD Ryzen 5 3600 review - Introduction

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor
Six cores / Twelve threads at 199 USD with the power of ZEN 2

We again review a six-core model Ryzen 5 3600 processor, you know, the one without an X. A few days ago we peeked at the X model, this non-X model is 200 MHz slower on the base and turbo clocks, but a whopping 50 bucks cheaper. Worth it? AMD has been going strong over the past year, rattling all the cages with an Intel logo on them.  

From top to bottom they have been able to compete with Intel. With Zen2 (codename 'Matisse') AMD is introducing a new line of processors starting at hexacore processors in the entry-level to mainstream segment (yeah, you read that right), eight and twelve cores for the mainstream to high-end, and up to 16-core Ryzen processors for the enthusiast level. It is batpoop crazy when you think about what AMD has accomplished in, what has it been, two years time? Sure, the initial ZEN Ryzen processors had a bit of a rocky launch with the inter-core latency discussion, 1080p gaming performance as well as memory support. But the tide turned with each month that passed, and over time more and more people would actually consider an AMD processor-based PC for their next purchase. That shift in the paradigm is big when you think about Intel's monopolized position in the desktop processor market. When AMD launched the 12nm update of Zen, called Zen+, the memory compatibility issues were mostly all gone, of course, and with today's launch of Ryzen 3000, the 3rd generation Ryzen products, AMD is about to rattle the cages once again with a massively strong and competitive processor lineup. 

Ryzen Series 3000

Ryzen series 3000, developed under the codename 'Matisse', is fabbed on a 7nm node with a new chiplet design. Ryzen has been a successful run for AMD ever since the first generation Ryzen was launched. Intel might still be having the advantage of faster per core frequencies, but their processors have had it rough with an immense amount of security vulnerabilities and, defacto, that has been having an effect not just on their reputation but, with all the security patches, also performance. AMD has been far less affected. Continuing the story, over time, AMD got up-to-snuff with proper memory support, and while Intel was and still is faster in super-high-end game performance due to their high Turbo clocks, a lot of you waited and sat things out as 7nm would be the fabrication node where all hope and differences are to be found. Well, Ryzen 3000 is here and it is exciting, offering twice the density at half the power, at roughly 1.25x the performance. Gamers, in particular, should be well-served as the combination of increased IPC at 15% as well as increased Turbo frequencies should bring game performance up-to-snuff with the competition.

This article is the base narrative for two processors, the 6-core and 12 threads based Ryzen 5 3600 and 3600X. In this specific review, we test the Ryzen 5 3600. 

• Ryzen 5 3600X (6c/12t) priced at 249 USD
• Ryzen 5 3600 (6c/12t) priced at 199 USD

We’ll go into detail on the next pages. The Ryzen 3000 series 5, 7 and 9 processors are six up-to sixteen-core processors, competitively priced combined with a proper performance increase over the last generation products. That sixteen core proc is launching in a month or two. Overall we have lots to talk about and to look at, let’s start up the review, shall we?