AMD Ryzen 5 7600X vs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X: Which is the best CPU under $200 for gaming?

Modified Jun 23, 2024 18:58 GMT

Picture of AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPUs — The AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPUs (Image via AMD)

The Ryzen 5 7600X and Ryzen 7 5700X are two popular AMD CPUs designed for mid-range PC builds. Since the former is a Ryzen 5 processor, and the latter a Ryzen 7 chip, they target two different performance classes. They are both available under the $200 mark and as such, are fantastic choices for a processor. But which one of the two CPUs is best for gaming?

In this article, we are analyzing the benchmarks of the two processors to declare which is the best CPU for gaming under $200.

Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and solely reflect the writer's opinions.

AMD Ryzen 5 7600X vs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X

The AMD Ryzen 5 5700X is based on the Zen 3 architecture that brought significant IPC performance improvements over its predecessor. Meanwhile, the Ryzen 5 7600X is designed for the newer Zen 4 architecture that delivers a significant boost to the gaming performance. Before we begin comparing the two CPUs, let's check their specs first.

Specs comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPUs (Image via AMD)

Here's the specs list of AMD Ryzen 5 7600X and Ryzen 7 5700X:

Specifications	AMD Ryzen 5 7600X	AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
Architecture	Zen 4	Zen 3
Cores	6	8
Threads	12	16
Max frequency	5.3 GHz	4.6 GHz
L3 cache	32 MB	32 MB
RAM support	DDR5-5200	DDR4-3200
Integrated GPU	Radeon Graphics	NA
Thermal design power (TDP)	65W Typical \| 88W Max	65W Typical \| 88W Max
Manufacturing node	5nm, 6nm	7nm
Socket	AM5	AM4
Price	$197.98	163.72

The major differences between the two processors lie in the core count, clock speed, RAM support, and socket. Since the socket requirement is not the same between the two CPUs, you will need different motherboards for them. The Ryzen 5 7600X also supports DDR5 RAM, while the other will be limited to DDR4. However, keep in mind that DDR5 kits are a bit more expensive as well.

Synthetic and productivity benchmark

Let's take the specs away for a while and check out how the two processors perform in popular benchmarking tools:

Benchmarks	AMD Ryzen 5 7600X	AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
Cinebench 2024 (Single-Core)	115	93
Cinebench 2024 (Multi-Core)	885	852
Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)	2846	2114
Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)	12714	10745
Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)	1976	1532
Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)	15315	14230

On average, the Ryzen 5 7600X is 32% faster in single-core benchmarks than the Ryzen 7 5700X. The former is also about 12% faster in multi-core benchmarks, which is a bit surprising as it has only six cores compared to the latter's eight cores.

Gaming performance benchmark

Keep in mind that the synthetic and productivity performance leads don't always translate accurately into gaming performance. So, it is better to check out the actual gaming benchmarks of the two processors. The FPS data below has been sourced from the Thegamrone channel on YouTube.

Note: The test was run at 1080p resolution at the highest settings with the RTX 3090 Ti GPU.

Games	AMD Ryzen 5 7600X	AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
Hitman 3	180 FPS	165 FPS
Mafia Definitive Edition	222 FPS	204 FPS
Far Cry 6	182 FPS	166 FPS
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	165 FPS	148 FPS
Red Dead Redemption II	143 FPS	128 FPS
God of War	192 FPS	178 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077	127 FPS	116 FPS
Forza Horizon 5	198 FPS	183 FPS

The Ryzen 5 7600X easily beats the Ryzen 7 5700X, delivering around 9% better performance on average. It is faster in every game, and the performance difference between the CPUs is even more pronounced in Hitman 3 and Red Dead Redemption II.

Price comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPUs (Image via AMD)

Although the Ryzen 7 5700X has lost in all the benchmarks, the pricing is where it takes a win. It is currently priced at $163.72, which is about 17% cheaper than the Ryzen 5 7600X ($197.99).

Final verdict

The Ryzen 5 7600X is, without question, the best CPU under $200 for gaming. On average, it is around 9% better in gaming and 12% better in productivity applications. However, it costs 20.9% more overall, as you will also need DDR5 RAM and AM5 motherboards. These cost more than DDR4 RAM and AM4 motherboards that are compatible with Ryzen 7 5700X.

You should definitely keep these factors in mind when choosing between the two CPUs. But in terms of raw performance, the Ryzen 5 7600X is simply better, despite having fewer cores.

Check out our other CPU comparisons: