I'm building my first PC on a budget and I've come across two processors: the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 3600. The 3600 is $30 cheaper and has 16MB more L3 cache, plus it features PCIe 4.0. I'm planning to pair it with an RX 6600. Will the 3600 offer better performance at this price point, or should I go for the 5500?
3 Answers
In gaming, both should yield similar average FPS, but the 5500 offers better 0.1% lows. If the price difference isn't too huge, I’d say the 5500 is the better option. But if you're leaning toward the 3600 due to PCIe 4.0 support for future upgrades, that’s a valid point!
They're actually quite on par. The 3600 has a bit more cache, but the 5500 has better IPC. As for PCIe 4.0, it doesn't make much difference now, but it could be useful if you plan to upgrade your GPU down the line. You might lose some warranty on the 3600, though. If you're tight on budget, definitely go for the 3600.
Honestly, their performance is pretty similar. The 5500 is newer and more efficient, but if you're looking to save some cash, the 3600 is a solid choice. Put that extra money toward something else you need for your build!

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