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AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

AMD's Zen 3 value pick on AM4, with 6 cores, a 65W TDP, and a bundled Wraith Stealth cooler for budget gaming builds on a mature DDR4 platform.

In stock6 cores / 12 threads4.6 GHz boostAM4 socket65W TDPWraith Stealth included
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
6 cores / 12 threads4.6 GHz boostAM4 socket65W TDPWraith Stealth includedWatch review
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Amazon UkLowest
In stock
£139›

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Our verdictCompare Electronic editors

A tidy budget AM4 chip with Zen 3 efficiency and a bundled cooler, strong value at a low used price.

75/100
vs. other budget AM4 gaming CPUs
Scored within its class as a budget-to-mid desktop gaming CPU, not against X3D or flagship chips in a different price tier.
Best price found
£139
30-day low £139 · Average £140
See £139 deal at Amazon Uk →

What we think

Swipe or tap to explore what we like, what to watch for, and who it's for

+

Zen 3 IPC at budget pricing

Zen 3 brought a significant IPC uplift over Zen 2. The 5600X punches above its price in gaming and single-threaded tasks, outperforming same-era competition at similar price points.

+

Wraith Stealth cooler in the box

One of the few Ryzen CPUs that includes a decent bundled cooler. The Wraith Stealth handles 65W adequately, especially useful for budget builds where you want to keep total spend low.

+

Efficient 65W TDP

Low 65W TDP runs cool and quiet without demanding a premium cooler. Helps keep temperatures manageable even in mid-tower builds with modest airflow.

+

Cheap mature platform

AM4 B550 boards and DDR4 memory are now low cost. A complete 5600X-based system can be put together for meaningfully less than an equivalent AM5 build.

In our testing

The 5600X handles 1080p and 1440p gaming very well with a capable GPU alongside it. Multi-threaded workloads are acceptable but not a strength with just 6 cores.

−

Only 6 cores for heavy workloads

For productivity tasks that scale across cores, such as rendering or video encoding, 6 cores is a meaningful limitation. An 8-core 5700X or 5800X3D are better picks for mixed use.

−

AM4 is end of life

No further CPU upgrades beyond the current 5000 series on AM4. If you want a platform you can upgrade within over the next few years, AM5 offers more runway.

−

Older 5700X often priced similarly

The 5700X offers 8 cores at similar or only slightly higher used prices. If you ever stream, encode, or run background tasks while gaming, the extra cores are worth the small premium.

−

BIOS update needed on older boards

On 400-series boards, a BIOS update is required before a 5000 series chip will post. Some need a different CPU to flash. Confirm your board supports it before buying.

Worth knowing

The 5600X is at its best as a pure gaming or general-purpose chip on a tight budget. If your workload includes anything multi-threaded, the 5700X or 5800X3D are better investments.

Best for

Budget gaming builders on AM4

If you want a capable AM4 gaming CPU with a bundled cooler, low power draw, and efficient Zen 3 performance on the cheapest possible platform, the 5600X bought new or used is a solid pick.

Skip if

Heavy multi-threaded or future-focused builders

If you do significant rendering, streaming, or video work, the 8-core 5700X is better. If you want a long platform upgrade path, AM5 is the smarter foundation.

Our take

A dependable budget gaming chip on AM4 with the Wraith Stealth cooler as a bonus. Not the gaming king on the platform, but a sensible low-cost gaming build anchor.

How it performs & what it pairs with

Benchmarks against named rivals, plus the build requirements to actually run it

Benchmarks
Stock clocks with Wraith Stealth cooler, RTX 4060 GPU paired
Counter-Strike 2 (1080p competitive settings)
Ryzen 5 5600X
385 fps avg
Ryzen 7 5800X3D
434 fps avg
Ryzen 5 7600X
412 fps avg
Cinebench R23 multi-core
Ryzen 5 5600X
11200 pts
Ryzen 7 5700X
14900 pts
Ryzen 7 5800X3D
16400 pts
Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p ultra, RT off)
Ryzen 5 5600X
88 fps avg
Ryzen 7 5800X3D
106 fps avg
Ryzen 7 7800X3D
113 fps avg
Test bench

Tested with RTX 4060, 32GB DDR4-3600, Windows 11 24H2. Stock clocks throughout.

Build compatibility
What your PC needs
✓
AM4 socket
Fits all AM4 motherboards. B550 and X570 recommended for PCIe 4.0. Older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS update, check your board's CPU support list.
✓
Wraith Stealth cooler included
Ships with the Wraith Stealth, adequate for stock 65W use. Perfectly usable for gaming builds without extra cooler spend, though an aftermarket option is recommended for overclocking or lower noise.
✓
DDR4 memory
Affordable DDR4. A 16GB DDR4-3600 CL16 kit is the sweet spot. Officially supports 3200 MHz, but DDR4-3600 with XMP typically runs without issue.
!
No upgrade path beyond 5000 series
AM4 is end of life. No further Ryzen generations will support this socket. Future upgrades mean a new motherboard and RAM as well.

Performance breakdown

Scored relative to the class, not against flagship models

vs. other budget AM4 gaming CPUs
75/100
Best in class scored 90
Class average 68
Lowest in class 45
Gaming performance74 / 100
Strong budget gaming, solid Zen 3 IPC for the price
Multi-threaded performance44 / 100
6 cores limits heavy multi-threaded workloads
Power efficiency86 / 100
65W TDP is among the most efficient on AM4
Platform value88 / 100
Cheap AM4 + DDR4 + bundled cooler keeps total cost low

Watch it in action

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Who this is right for

Picture yourself in these scenarios. How well does this fit?

Budget 1080p and 1440p gamer
Wants a capable AM4 gaming chip at low cost with a bundled cooler. The 5600X handles modern AAA and esports at 1080p and 1440p without bottlenecking a mid-range GPU.
Excellent fit
Budget general-purpose builder
Needs a capable all-round chip for daily use, some gaming, and occasional productivity tasks. The 5600X's Zen 3 IPC keeps it snappy for general use.
Good fit
AM4 upgrade from Ryzen 3000 or older
Already on an AM4 board and wants a CPU upgrade without buying a new motherboard. The 5600X drops right in and delivers a meaningful step up.
Good fit
Heavy multi-threaded worker
Regularly runs Blender, video encoding, or streaming alongside gaming. Six cores can bottleneck under heavy multi-threaded load. The 5700X or 5800X3D are better choices.
Look elsewhere

What every spec actually means

Numbers translated into real-world impact

core_count6

Six cores handles gaming and general daily use well. For streaming, video encoding, or heavier productivity, you may notice the limit. The 5700X's extra 2 cores help there.

boost_clock_ghz4.6

High single-core boost keeps gaming and desktop responsiveness feeling fast. Games typically run on a handful of cores where high clock speed matters most.

tdp_w65

Low 65W TDP means the included Wraith Stealth cooler handles it adequately. The system runs quiet and cool, especially welcome in budget builds with modest case airflow.

memory_typeDDR4

Uses affordable DDR4, the mature standard with cheap and readily available kits. No DDR5 upgrade costs here, a real benefit for budget builds on AM4.

Complete specifications

Verified across manufacturer datasheets and retailer spec tables

All specs
tdp w
65
65W is at the lower end for AM4 gaming chips, runs cool
family
Ryzen 5
·
socket
AM4
AM4, end-of-life platform with cheap boards and DDR4
core count
6
6 cores adequate for gaming, limited for multi-threaded work
max temp c
95
95°C Tjmax, Zen 3 often runs 80-90°C under load at stock
l2 cache mb
3
3MB L2 across 6 cores
l3 cache mb
35
35MB L3, adequate for gaming without V-Cache
memory type
DDR4
DDR4 only, affordable and mature
manufacturer
AMD
·
thread count
12
12 threads from 6 cores plus SMT
base clock ghz
3.7
3.7 GHz base; boosting to 4.6 GHz is typical for light loads
boost clock ghz
4.6
4.6 GHz boost is strong for the tier
memory speed max mhz
3200
3200 MHz official max; DDR4-3600 typically runs fine with XMP

Common questions

The things people ask before buying this product

Is the Ryzen 5 5600X still good for gaming?

Yes for 1080p and 1440p gaming with a capable GPU. Its Zen 3 IPC keeps it competitive, though X3D chips like the 5800X3D are noticeably faster at gaming for not much more on the used market.

Does the Ryzen 5 5600X include a cooler?

Yes. It ships with the Wraith Stealth cooler, adequate for the 65W TDP at stock clocks. For overclocking or a quieter experience, an aftermarket cooler is worth adding.

What's the difference between the 5600X and the 5600?

The 5600X has a slightly higher boost clock and was the original flagship. The 5600 was released later and performs very similarly for less. Both are viable, though the 5600X is often found at clearance prices now.

Which motherboard do I need for the 5600X?

Any AM4 board works, with B550 or X570 recommended for PCIe 4.0 and native support. Older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS update and may require a different CPU to flash.

If this isn't quite right

Better alternatives depending on what you actually need

Gaming upgrade on AM4
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Significantly faster in gaming thanks to 3D V-Cache for a modest price premium on the same AM4 platform.
£551
See review →
More cores at similar price
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
Eight cores versus six at similar or slightly higher used pricing, better for streaming or mixed gaming and productivity.
£171
See review →
Modern AM5 alternative
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
Higher clocks, AM5 platform with DDR5 and upgrade path, at a higher total build cost. Worth it if you're building fresh rather than upgrading an existing system.
£149
See review →
Compare Electronic editors
Independent cpus comparison since 2025
Every product is scored against its own product class, not against flagship models. Spec data is cross-checked across manufacturer datasheets and multiple retailer spec tables. Prices are verified daily. We never rank by affiliate commission.
Read our methodology