Is the Ryzen 5 3600 CPU Good for Gaming? (2024)

Based on our evaluation of using AMD's Ryzen 5 3600 CPU for gaming, you can expect good game performance with a high-performance CPU cooler.

We created this performance assessment based on the following characteristics of the CPU and their relevance to the latest graphics-intense games:

• 32 MB of L3 cache is excellent for performance
• 6 cores allow for good performance
• 3.6 GHz base frequency
• 4.2 GHz single-core max boost frequency is excellent for performance (requires a high-end cooler)
• Max stock DDR4 speed of 3200 MHz can be good for performance
• Overclocking support can be excellent for performance (requires a high-end cooler)
• PCIe 4.0 support can be excellent for performance (with the fastest SSDs and GPUs)

Featured 3600 PCs› Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC Desktop – AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz, NVIDIA GTX 1650, 500 GB NVME SSD, 16 GB DDR4 RAM 3200, 600W Gold PSU, 11AC Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Home 64-bit,Black Skytech Archangel Gaming Computer PC Desktop – Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz, GTX 1660 Super 6G, 500 GB SSD, 16 GB DDR4 3200 MHz, RGB Fans, Windows 11 Home 64-bit, 802.11AC Wi-Fi

Cores

Base Frequency

Single-Core Boost Frequency

Overclocking Support

DDR Support

PCIe

L3 Cache

A CPU's cache is a small amount of memory, close to the CPU cores, containing recently used data.

Games performance can improve as cache size increases, as it will reduce delays when retrieving commonly used game assets from memory.

An L3 cache capacity of at least 20 MB is ideal for game performance.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has an L3 cache capacity of 32 MB.

Based on our evaluation, the 3600's impressive 32 MB of L3 cache is excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.

Increased core counts can improve the performance of games that use them, but most modern games don't benefit from having more than 6–8 cores. We've experienced the best performance by prioritizing a higher single-core boost frequency, then on a higher multi-core boost frequency, rather than focusing on core count alone. Remember that cache sizes often increase along with core counts, so if you want to increase your L3 cache, you may need to get a CPU with more cores.

AMD's Ryzen 5 3600 CPUs have 6 cores.

Based on our evaluation, the 3600's 6 cores allow for good performance with the latest graphics-intense games.

We've experienced that single-core performance is essential for some games, as many don't take full advantage of multiple cores.

Boost frequencies are only achieved under ideal circ*mstances. The safest strategy for consistent gaming performance with a basic cooler is to get a higher base clock speed processor. However, with adequate cooling, you may be able to maintain speeds near the max boost frequency.

Based on our evaluation, the 3600 CPU's support for overclocking can be excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.

The processor has a 3.6 GHz base frequency and supports a 4.2 GHz single-core max boost frequency.

The 3600 has a 3.6 GHz base frequency, which is the speed before boosting.

Based on our evaluation, the 3600's 4.2 GHz single-core max boost frequency is excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games. You can maintain these frequencies with a high-end cooler.

The 3600 does not have Performance cores.

Check out my article, Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for AMD's Ryzen 5 3600, for recommended coolers that can maintain these boost frequencies.

Based on our evaluation, the 3600 CPU's support for DDR4 with a max stock speed of 3200 MHz can be good for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.

Faster PC memory can improve game performance and frame rates, but using the fastest RAM may not have as much of an impact as upgrading your CPU and graphics card or adding more RAM.

Learn more about DDR in DDR4 vs. DDR5? Which You Should Buy.

Learn about our recommended RAM for the 3600 in Best RAM for the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU.

Core Count

AMD's Ryzen 5 3600 CPUs have 6 cores.

We found that, in general, more cores do provide better performance in professional tools and when running multiple applications simultaneously.

Increased core counts can improve the performance of games and professional tools that use them. Most modern games don't benefit from having more than 6–8 cores. Even general apps can benefit from many cores when numerous applications are open simultaneously. Web browsers don't significantly take advantage of multiple cores when loading a single page. However, more CPU cores can improve performance when running demanding web apps in multiple windows.

CPU Clock Speeds

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has a 3.6 GHz base frequency and supports a 4.2 GHz single-core max boost frequency.

We've experienced that single-core performance is essential for some games, as many don't take full advantage of multiple cores. Similarly, we have experienced that professional tools depend on high single and multi-core boost frequencies to maximize their processing speed.

Boost frequencies are only achieved under ideal circ*mstances. However, with adequate cooling, you may be able to maintain speeds near the max boost frequency.

Check out my article, Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for AMD's Ryzen 5 3600, for recommended coolers that can maintain these boost frequencies on the 3600.

Higher vs. Lower Base Frequencies

We've found that lower base clock speeds result in lower power consumption.

A CPU's base frequency refers to the clock speed at which its cores run under normal operating conditions. However, the actual clock speed of the CPU can vary depending on the workload and the system power state.

A lower base frequency can lead to better power savings overall since the clock speed decreases when the load is low, resulting in lower power consumption. However, a CPU may run slower than the base frequency to conserve power or reduce heat generation. For example, modern CPUs use technologies like Intel SpeedStep or AMD Cool'n'Quiet to dynamically adjust the CPU's clock speed based on the system's workload and power state.

A CPU with a lower base frequency may generate less heat under normal operating conditions, enabling it to boost some cores to higher frequencies while remaining within its thermal limits. This lower base frequency results in better performance than a CPU with a higher base frequency, which may not be able to sustain its boost frequency for long periods due to thermal throttling. However, this is mostly only relevant if your system's cooling solution can only partially dissipate the heat produced by all cores being fully boosted.

DDR Support

The 3600 CPU's fastest supported DDR memory type is DDR4, with a max stock speed of 3200 MHz.

You can exceed these stock speeds officially supported by CPUs when overclocking memory, such as with an XMP profile. Motherboard specifications will indicate their supported overclocked-memory speeds. To be able to overclock DDR memory, your motherboard chipset needs to support memory overclocking.

Faster PC memory can improve game and professional tool performance by reducing the time it takes to perform calculations and data operations.

We've experienced that using the quickest RAM may not have as much of an impact as upgrading your CPU and graphics card or adding more RAM.

Learn about our recommended RAM for the 3600 in Best RAM for the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU.

Cache Size

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has an L3 cache capacity of 32 MB.

A CPU's cache is a small amount of memory, close to the CPU cores, containing recently used data. An L3 cache capacity of at least 20 MB is ideal for games and professional tool performance.

Games and professional tool performance can improve as cache size increases, as it can reduce delays when retrieving commonly used assets from memory. While nearly any task will use a CPU's cache, our research indicates that a large cache becomes less impactful for general PC usage, such as browsing webpages.

Remember that cache sizes often increase with core counts, so if you want to increase your L3 cache, you may need to get a CPU with more cores.

Overclocking

The 3600 supports overclocking.

Overclocking is mainly relevant for PC gamers who want to maximize their game framerates. CPU overclocking increases frequencies past their default limits. Excellent heat dissipation via fans or another solution is required to maintain system stability while overclocking. While we felt a sense of excitement and anticipation when we pushed the limits of our CPU's performance, it's essential to remember that overclocking comes with the risk of damaging your system components or voiding warranties.

Professional tools can benefit from overclocked frequencies. However, overclocking may introduce some possibility of system instability, which may be less acceptable in business scenarios. We've found out the hard way that losing work due to system instability is a pain.

The 3600 model name doesn't have a G suffix. Non-G CPUs do not contain integrated graphics, and a separate graphics card is required.

Find the Ryzen 5 3600 on Amazon

Find the Ryzen 5 3600 at Best Buy.

Find the Ryzen 5 3600 at Newegg.

• Motherboard: Choosing the Best Motherboard for AMD's Ryzen 5 3600
• Chipset: Which Chipsets Work With AMD's Ryzen 5 3600 CPU?
• Cooler: Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for AMD's Ryzen 5 3600
• Power Supply: Choosing the Best Power Supply for AMD's Ryzen 5 3600 CPU
• RAM: Best RAM for the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU
• TDP: What Is the TDP of the Ryzen 5 3600 CPU?
• Gaming: Is the Ryzen 5 3600 CPU Good for Gaming?