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With AMD’s “Non-X” CPUs looking to offer a middle-ground between processing power and energy consumption, looking at the Ryzen 5 7600 versus Ryzen 5 7600X should paint an accurate picture on which processor you should pick.
Following on from the announcement at CES 2023 which saw the “Non-X” CPUs unveiled, the Ryzen 5 7600X was brought back into the spotlight following its launch back in September.
The AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is now available to buy, but how does it stack up against the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X? Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
Ryzen 5 5600 vs Ryzen 5 7600X – specs
| Specifications | Ryzen 5 7600 | Ryzen 5 7600X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 6 |
| Threads | 12 | 12 |
| Base Speed (GHz) | 3.8 | 4.7 |
| Boost Speed (GHz) | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Cache | L3 32MB | L3 32MB |
| Socket | AM5 | AM5 |
| Default TDP (Thermal Design Power) in Watts | 65 | 105 |
There’s very little difference between the two CPUs – in fact their architecture (Zen 4) and logic are identical as the 7600 is essentially a modified version of the 7600X.
However, the Ryzen 5 7600 has a slightly lower clock speed. Ranging between 3.8 – 5.1 GHz, the CPU appears to perform significantly slower than its bigger sibling. With a clock speed range of 4.7 – 5.3 GHz, the 7600X is a fast processor that vastly overshadows the “Non-X” CPU.
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Despite the core-count being the same- there’s a slight difference between the two. The Ryzen 5 7600X cores are designed for power and performance, while the “Non-X” cores are optimised for efficiency.
The Ryzen 5 7600 cores are slightly dialled back in terms of power consumption – at the slight cost of performance. This results in the slightly lower clock speed – though don’t let a ‘budget’ CPU cycling at 5.1GHz fool you into thinking it’s a vastly inferior product. It’s not.
With clock speed dialled back, the “Non-X” CPU’s TDP is 65W compared to the 7600X’s TDP of 105W. There’s a huge difference on display, and it’s all achieved through limitations applied to the 7600’s clock speed.
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With full DDR5 support in multiple channels, both Ryzen CPUs are identical in that respect. And, with Cache being identical across both SKUs, there’s little other differences between the CPUs that can be observed.
Overall, if you’re looking purely at specs, the only things to note are the differing clock speeds and TDPs – which we’re going to observe the effects of in performance reviews below.
Ryzen 5 7600 vs Ryzen 5 7600X – performance
The Ryzen 5 7600 versus Ryzen 5 7600X performance reviews will be the determining factor when choosing between the CPUs. Thanks to our sibling site’s CPU and Motherboard bench-marker, Jack Howarth of WePC, who has put the CPUs under rigorous testing, we’ve now got a wealth of resources on both processors.
As displayed by the benchmarks above, the slight differences in specs have also translated into very slight differences in performance results.
Cyberpunk 2077 displays a difference of 5 FPS on average, which isn’t a huge amount especially considering the vast difference in energy consumption between the two.
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Similarly, the Ryzen 5 7600 only drags behind its big sibling by 11 FPS on Elden Ring at 1080p, and only 7 FPS behind CS:GO.
The differences stop with GTA V, with both CPUs displaying identical benchmarks for FPS. This is extremely encouraging for the Ryzen 5 7600 which offers up similarly impressive performance to the Ryzen 5 7600X. It even manages this with a much lower maximum TDP, singing praise for the energy efficiency offered by the “Non-X” CPUs without sacrificing performance.
Ryzen 5 7600 vs Ryzen 5 7600X – price
Another key factor on deciding between the two processors is how much they cost. The Ryzen 5 7600 MSRP is $229, whilst he 7600X launched with an MSRP of $299.
With the amount that you’re saving by seeking the Ryzen 5 7600 – it seems to have gained the upper hand in this aspect.
Final word
With a $70 difference between the two, minimal performance differences, and noticeable differences in energy consumption – there seems to be a case for the Ryzen 5 7600 being the best option for gamers.
If you’re a gamer on a budget, it becomes especially attractive considering the low MSRP. Alongside that, in the long-term you’re going to be saving even more money through the much lower energy operating costs – which is especially important considering the current cost of living crisis.
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600 (Amazon)
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (Amazon)
If you’re still not keen on either of these CPUs – you might instead check out our other Ryzen comparison in which we pit the Ryzen 9 7900 versus the 7900X.
