AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE are both AMD Socket AM4 desktop processors, but they serve different roles within the lineup. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy, with the 3600XT dominating in almost every recorded benchmark, while the 5355GE counters with a single-thread victory and its integrated graphics. This analysis breaks down the head-to-head results, architectural differences, and the specific use cases where each processor comes out ahead.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are overwhelmingly in favor of the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT. Across the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, the 3600XT wins 15, with the Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE taking only 2. The margin of victory is often substantial, particularly in multi-threaded workloads.

In Cinebench, the 3600XT shows a consistent and massive lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 3600XT scores 15,776 compared to the 5355GE’s 10,846, a delta of 45.5%. This pattern repeats in R20 (6,625 vs 4,555, a 45.4% delta) and R15 (1,590 vs 1,093, a 45.5% delta). Interestingly, the single-core scores in Cinebench show the exact same percentage gap: R23 single-core is 2,227 vs 1,531 (45.5%), R20 is 935 vs 643 (45.4%), and R15 is 224 vs 154 (45.5%). This suggests the 3600XT’s advantage is not just about core count, but also about raw per-thread capability in this specific rendering workload.

The Passmark suite reveals a more nuanced picture. The 3600XT’s largest victory comes in Passmark Find Prime Numbers, where it scores 113 against the 5355GE’s 31, a staggering 264.5% delta. Passmark Physics also shows a huge gap, with 1,210 vs 552, a 119.2% delta. In less computationally intense tasks, the lead narrows. Passmark Floating Point Math shows a 25% delta (30,149 vs 24,115), and Passmark Integer Math shows a 15.1% delta (51,416 vs 44,665). The 3600XT also leads in Data Encryption (14,608 vs 9,564, a 52.7% delta), Data Compression (230,645 vs 152,885, a 50.9% delta), Extended Instructions (14,585 vs 10,368, a 40.7% delta), and Random String Sorting (24,960 vs 17,255, a 44.7% delta).

The single exception where the Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE wins is Passmark Single Thread, scoring 3,089 against the 3600XT’s 2,752. This is a 10.9% delta in favor of the 5355GE. This result is recorded twice in the data (as `passmark_single_thread` and `passmark_singlethread`), confirming the consistency of that outcome. This indicates that despite the 3600XT’s higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 4.20 GHz, the newer Zen 3 architecture in the 5355GE delivers better performance in this specific single-threaded Passmark test.

Overall, the average benchmark score for the 3600XT is 17,891, which is higher than the 5355GE’s 17,482. Both processors sit at the 71st percentile against all CPUs in the database, placing them in a similar tier overall, but the distribution of their strengths is very different.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different generations of AMD’s core designs, which explains their performance profiles. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT is built on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Matisse 2, and belongs to the 3000 series. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE uses the newer Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne, and is part of the 5000 series.

Both are manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC, but the transistor counts and die sizes differ significantly. The 3600XT has 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die, while the 5355GE has 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The larger die size for the 5355GE is primarily due to the inclusion of integrated graphics, which the 3600XT does not have.

Core and cache configurations also differ. The 3600XT has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 5355GE has 4 cores and 8 threads. Both have the same L1 cache (64 KB per core) and L2 cache (512 KB per core), but the L3 cache is a major point of divergence. The 3600XT features a 32 MB shared L3 cache, whereas the 5355GE has only 8 MB of L3 cache. This difference in cache size likely contributes to the 3600XT’s strong multi-threaded performance.

Memory support is similar, with both supporting DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. However, there are key differences in other features. The 3600XT supports PCIe Gen 4, while the 5355GE supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The 5355GE supports ECC memory, which the 3600XT does not. The 5355GE also includes a Radeon Vega 6 integrated GPU, while the 3600XT has no integrated graphics. The 3600XT has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking, while the 5355GE is locked. The 3600XT was released in 2019 and had a launch MSRP of $249, while the 5355GE was released in 2024.

Where Each One Wins

The data points to a clear split in use cases. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT is the superior processor for almost any compute-intensive task that can utilize multiple cores. Its wins in Cinebench multi-core tests and the Passmark multithread test (18,562 vs 12,761, a 45.5% delta) make it the obvious choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, software compilation, and other heavily threaded workloads. The 45.5% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core is a decisive margin. The 3600XT also dominates in physics simulations, data compression, and encryption, making it suitable for scientific computing and data processing tasks.

The Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE’s strengths lie in its single-threaded Passmark performance and its integrated graphics. The 10.9% lead in Passmark Single Thread is notable, suggesting that for lightly threaded applications like basic office productivity, web browsing, or legacy software that relies on single-core speed, the 5355GE may feel more responsive. The inclusion of Radeon Vega 6 graphics means the 5355GE can power a display without a dedicated graphics card, which is ideal for a compact office PC or an embedded system where space and power are at a premium. Its 35 W TDP, compared to the 3600XT’s 95 W TDP, also makes it a more power-efficient option for such systems.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT is significantly faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 15,776 versus the Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE’s 10,846, a 45.5% advantage. It also leads by the same margin in the Passmark Multithread test (18,562 vs 12,761).

Q: Does the Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins the Passmark Single Thread test, scoring 3,089 against the 3600XT’s 2,752. This is a 10.9% delta in its favor, and the result is recorded twice in the data, confirming its consistency.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Ryzen 5 3600XT has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE has integrated graphics, featuring a Radeon Vega 6 GPU. The Ryzen 5 3600XT has no integrated graphics and requires a discrete GPU.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these chips?

A: The Ryzen 5 3600XT has a TDP of 95 W, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE has a much lower TDP of 35 W.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT | AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Series | 3000 series | 5000 series |

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 35 W |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Matisse 2 | Cezanne |

| Transistors | 3,800 million | 10,700 million |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | 180 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB (shared) | 8 MB |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 6 |

| Release Date | 2019-07-06 | 2024-09-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $249 | Not available |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | 100-100000281 | 100-000001751 |

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous for users who need processing power. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT is the clear winner for multi-threaded performance, holding a 45.5% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 119.2% lead in Passmark Physics, to name just two of its 15 benchmark wins. Its larger 32 MB L3 cache and 6-core, 12-thread configuration make it the superior choice for rendering, encoding, and any workload that scales across cores. The 3600XT also has a higher boost clock and supports PCIe Gen 4.

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE’s case rests on efficiency and integration. With a 35 W TDP, it is far more power-efficient than the 95 W 3600XT. The inclusion of Radeon Vega 6 graphics means a separate GPU is unnecessary, and its support for ECC memory targets reliability-focused applications. Its 10.9% win in Passmark Single Thread shows it can handle lighter tasks with agility. The data suggests the 5355GE is intended for power-conscious, compact, or embedded systems where its integrated graphics and lower power draw are more valuable than raw multi-threaded throughput. For a standard desktop build where performance is the priority, the Ryzen 5 3600XT is the better choice; for a slim, efficient, or specialized system, the Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE has unique advantages.