Ryzen 5 5500 or 5600 as a budget replacement for my 2600?

If you can comfortably cover the difference, I’d pick the Ryzen 5 5600. It has more cache and PCIe 4.0 support, and it gives you more room for a future graphics card upgrade. With the RX 580, you may not notice a huge difference in every game right away, but the CPU is less likely to feel like the next thing you need to replace.

You may be able to reuse the cooler from the 2600, assuming it’s in good shape and has the right mounting hardware. Check the motherboard’s CPU support list and BIOS version before buying, even if the board has been updated before.

For an RX 580 and a tight budget, the 5500 is a reasonable stopgap. The graphics card is likely to limit performance in many games, so paying extra for a faster CPU may not change much with your current setup.

I’d only lean that way if the saved money matters now. The 5500 has less cache and lacks PCIe 4.0, so the 5600 is the nicer long-term choice if you expect to upgrade the GPU later.

Before choosing, price a used Ryzen 5 3600 too. It can be a practical low-cost replacement, especially if you mostly need the computer working again and don’t expect a major GPU upgrade soon. Compare the actual local prices, though. A bargain only helps if it’s meaningfully cheaper and sold in reliable condition.

Don’t automatically add another $20 cooler to the budget. The 5600 commonly comes with a basic cooler, and the 2600’s cooler may also be reusable. Check what’s included with the exact listing and whether you still have the old mounting parts.

My quick pick would be 5600 if the extra cost won’t squeeze you, 5500 if keeping the total spend as low as possible is the priority.