AMD Ryzen 5 1600 vs AMD Ryzen 5 2600X

AMD Ryzen 5 1600

The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 is a desktop processor with 6 cores and Hyper Threading (SMT = 12 threads). It is the second fastest Ryzen 5 processor in the beginning of 2017, but the 65-watt TDP is much lower compared to the higher-clocked Ryzen 5 1600X.

The Ryzen 5 1600 has a base frequency of 3.2 GHz and can reach up to 3.6 GHz via Turbo (up to 2 cores) or 3.7 GHz via XFR (also up to 2 cores). The maximum clock for all six cores is 3.4 GHz.

The performance is particularly good in applications. The chip can benefit from its six native cores. They are divided into two clusters (3 cores with dedicated L3 cache each), which connected via Infinity Fabric.

The processor based on the Zen architecture is not fully convincing in games. AMD blames missing optimizations from the gaming producers. Intel's powerful Core i7 quad-cores are usually faster in this case.

AMD Ryzen 5 2600X

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600X is a high-end desktop processor with 6 cores (12 threads) that was announced early 2018. It is based on the revised Zen+ cores and at launch the second fastest Ryzen CPU behind the Ryzen 7 2700X. The CPU cores clock at 3.6 GHz base and using Precision Boost 2 up to 4.2 GHz. All 6 cores and 12 threads can clock up to 3.9 GHz. The 6 cores are divided in two cluster (3 cores each with own L3 cache) connected via Infinity Fabric.

Compared to the older first Ryzen generation (e.g., Ryzen 5 1600X), the second generation is manufactured in an improved process (12nm called), offers and improved Precision Boost 2 (especially in partial load of the cores) and faster cache and memory speeds.

See our second generation Ryzen review for detailed benchmarks and information.