Ryzen 7 3700X vs Ryzen 5 3600X
Too close to call. At 1440p there is only about 2% between them — buy whichever is cheaper.
The gap changes with resolution.
CPU differences shrink as resolution rises — at 4K the graphics card does most of the work.
| Resolution | Ryzen 7 3700X | Ryzen 5 3600X | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 62 | 61 | +2% |
| 1440p | 60 | 59 | +2% |
| 4K | 59 | 57 | +4% |
In a real build with a RTX 3080.
Specs alone don’t tell you which to buy. Here is what each one does when it’s actually paired up, at 1440p.
Ryzen 7 3700X + RTX 3080
3% CPU-bound
The processor is the limit here and leaves frames on the table.
Full verdict for this pairing →Ryzen 5 3600X + RTX 3080
4% CPU-bound
The processor is the limit here and leaves frames on the table.
Full verdict for this pairing →| Game (1440p, paired with the RTX 3080) | Ryzen 7 3700X | Ryzen 5 3600X |
|---|---|---|
| League of Legends | 277 fps | 275 fps |
| Counter-Strike 2 | 235 fps | 234 fps |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 121 fps | 120 fps |
| Elden Ring | 101 fps | 101 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 77 fps | 76 fps |
| Starfield | 76 fps | 75 fps |
Modelled from benchmark data, not measured for every pairing. Our published error rate is 21.6% mean absolute error.
So which should you buy?
Whichever is cheaper on the day. There is roughly 2% between them at 1440p, which you will not notice in a game.
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Common questions.
Straight answers on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus the Ryzen 5 3600X.
Is the Ryzen 7 3700X better than the Ryzen 5 3600X?
They are close enough to call a tie. At 1440p the Ryzen 7 3700X scores 60 on our index against 59 for the Ryzen 5 3600X — a gap of about 2%, which is inside the margin where you would not feel a difference while gaming. Buy whichever is cheaper or easier to find.
Does the Ryzen 7 3700X or Ryzen 5 3600X bottleneck a RTX 3080?
Paired with a RTX 3080 at 1440p, the Ryzen 7 3700X build comes out 3% CPU-bound, and the Ryzen 5 3600X build comes out 4% CPU-bound. Being GPU-bound is the healthy outcome — it means the graphics card is the part working hardest.
Is it worth upgrading from the Ryzen 5 3600X to the Ryzen 7 3700X?
No. A 2% index gap will not be visible in games, and the money is better spent on the other side of the build — usually the GPU.
Which is better value, the Ryzen 7 3700X or the Ryzen 5 3600X?
On performance per dollar at MSRP, the Ryzen 5 3600X wins. The Ryzen 7 3700X lists at $329 for an index of 60, and the Ryzen 5 3600X at $249 for 59.
Check either one against your build.
Pick a CPU and its counterpart, and get a verdict at all three resolutions in under 30 seconds.