AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT vs AMD Ryzen 5 4600G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and the AMD Ryzen 5 4600G. Across 25 head-to-head tests, the 3600XT claims 19 wins while the 4600G takes 6. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story.

The 3600XT dominates in rendering and compute workloads with remarkable consistency. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 1590 against 1370, a 16.1% advantage. The single-core result mirrors this exactly: 224 versus 193, again 16.1%. This pattern holds through every Cinebench iteration. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 6625 against 5709, a 16% edge, while R20 single-core repeats the 16.1% delta. Cinebench R23 multicore sees 15776 versus 13593, and R23 single-core 2227 versus 1919, both at 16.1%.

Geekbench reinforces the single-core story. The 3600XT posts 1667 against 1460 in single-core, a 14.2% lead, and 7973 versus 6637 in multicore, a 20.1% margin. The 20.1% multicore gap is the largest non-synthetic delta in the mainstream benchmarks.

The 4600G counters with its strongest showing in 3DMark. It wins 3dmark_16_threads at 4863 against 4804, a 1.1% edge, 3dmark_8_threads at 4138 versus 4016, a 2.9% advantage, and 3dmark_max_threads at 4889 versus 4800, a 1.8% margin. The 4600G also edges out the 3600XT in 3dmark_4_threads at 2732 against 2707, a 0.9% delta, and narrowly takes 3dmark_2_threads at 4863 over 4804 by 1.1%. The 3600XT wins 3dmark_single_thread at 742 against 726, a 2.2% margin.

Passthrough tests add texture. The 4600G wins passmark_data_compression 231426 versus 230645, a 0.3% margin, and passmark_extended_instructions 15280 against 14585, a 4.5% lead. The 3600XT answers with passmark_data_encryption at 14608 versus 13572, a 7.6% advantage.

The most striking result is passmark_find_prime_numbers. The 3600XT scores 113 against 253.1% ahead, a staggering 253.1% delta. This outlier is followed by passmark_physics, where the 3600XT leads 1210 versus 676, a 79% margin. passmark_multithread shows a 16.1% lead at 18562 against 15992.

Average benchmark scores reflect the overall picture: the 3600XT has an average score of 17891, while the 4600G averages 17507. Both place at the 71st percentile of all CPUs in the database. The 3600XT sits near Intel Core 5 120U with a 0 delta, within 0.6% of Intel Core 7 350. The 3600XT is 0.6% ahead of Intel Core 5 221TE and 0.6% behind Intel Core 7 350. The 4600G lines up with AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE at 0.1% delta over the 4600G, 0.6% behind Intel Core 7 150U, 0.6% ahead of AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE, and 0.8% below the Intel Core i3-14100T.

Where Each One Wins

The data indicates that the 3600XT is built for sustained throughput-heavy workloads. Cinebench, Geekbench multicore and PassMark multithread results all show it ahead by 14.2% to 20.1%. Rendering engines that scale across cores will consistently favor the 3600XT. The PassMark physics test at 79% and find_prime_numbers at 253.1% and data_encryption at 7.6% point to workloads that benefit from the 3600XT's architecture.

For users running PassMark integer math, the 3600XT holds a smaller but still positive edge: 1.4% at 51416 versus 50723. Floating point math is essentially a tie, with the 3600XT at 30149 and the 4600G at 29947, a 0.7% margin. Single-threaded PassMark results put the 3600XT ahead by 3.7% (2752 vs 2653). Random string sorting shows a 2.9% advantage at 24960 versus 24246.

The 4600G wins in 3DMark threaded tests and in selected PassMark workloads. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 4863 and 8-thread score of 4138 suggest that the 4600G handles multi-threaded graphics-related loads well, with 2.9% and 2.9% margins respectively. Its passmark_data_compression score of 231426 beats the 3600XT by a narrow 0.3% margin. PassMark extended instructions at 15280 against 14585 gives the 4600G a 4.5% edge, indicating efficiency in workloads using newer instruction sets.

The 4600G also wins 3dmark_2_threads and 3dmark_4_threads, though these wins are small: 1.2% and 0.9% respectively. In 3dmark_max_threads, the 4600G is 1.8% ahead, and in 3dmark_single_thread the 3600XT is 2.2% ahead. The 4600G's wins cluster in the 3DMark suite and data compression, while the 3600XT's wins span rendering, encryption, physics, prime number finding, and single-threaded workloads.

Architecture Differences

Both CPUs use the Zen 2 architecture on TSMC's 7 nm process node, but they are distinct dies. The 3600XT is based on the Matisse 2 codename, while the 4600G uses Renoir. The 3600XT has 6 cores and 12 threads, matching the 4600G's 6 cores and 12 threads. Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel buses and deliver 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory, and both have unlocked multipliers.

The transistor counts differ substantially: the 3600XT has 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die, while the 4600G has 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die. This reflects the 4600G's integrated graphics, the Radeon Vega 7, which the 3600XT lacks entirely. The 4600G is a single-chip design with CPU and GPU on one die, whereas the 3600XT is a chiplet-based processor.

Cache allocation is another major difference. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache is dramatically different: the 3600XT has 32 MB of shared L3, while the 4600G has only 8 MB of shared L3. This is a 4x difference in L3 capacity, which helps explain the 3600XT's lead in many compute-heavy benchmarks.

Clock speeds also favor the 3600XT. The base clock is 3.80 GHz versus 3.70 GHz, and the boost clock is 4.50 GHz versus 4.20 GHz. The thermal design power differs too: the 3600XT is rated at 95 watts, while the 4600G is rated at 65 watts. PCIe connectivity differs, with the 3600XT supporting Gen 4 and the 4600G supporting Gen 3 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Both use AMD Socket AM4.

The 3600XT launched on 2019-07-06, while the 4600G launched on 2020-07-20. Both remain in active production. The 3600XT's part number is 100-100000281 and the 4600G's is 100-000000147. The 3600XT is part of the 3000 series and the 4600G is part of the 4000 series.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT boosts to 4.50 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600G boosts to 4.20 GHz.

Q: Does the Ryzen 5 4600G include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the 4600G includes Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics. The 3600XT has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The 3600XT has 32 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 4600G has 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The 3600XT scores 15776, which is 16.1% higher than the 4600G's 13593.

Q: Which CPU wins in 3DMark 16-thread testing?

A: The 4600G wins 3dmark_16_threads with a score of 4863, 1.2% ahead of the 3600XT's 4804.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The 3600XT has a TDP of 95 watts, while the 4600G has a TDP of 65 watts.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to different strengths. The 3600XT is the superior CPU for compute-heavy, multi-threaded workloads and single-threaded performance. Its 20.1% lead in Geekbench multicore, 16.1% across all Cinebench tests, and massive 253.1% advantage in PassMark prime number finding make it the choice for rendering, scientific computing, and CPU-bound tasks. The 79% lead in PassMark physics and 7.6% lead in data encryption further cement this.

The 4600G is the better option for systems where integrated graphics matter. With Radeon Vega 7 built in, it offers a complete CPU plus GPU package in one die. Its wins in 3DMark threaded tests (up to 2.9% in 8-thread) and data compression (0.3%) show it handles graphics-related and compression workloads well. The 4.5% edge in PassMark extended instructions is notable for workloads using modern instruction sets.

The 3600XT's 32 MB L3 cache versus the 4600G's 8 MB is the clearest architectural explanation for the performance split. The 4600G's larger die (156 mm² vs 74 mm²) and higher transistor count (9,800 million vs 3,800 million) reflect its integrated GPU, which consumes die area that could otherwise hold cache.

For users building a system with a discrete GPU, the 3600XT should be the pick. The data shows it consistently ahead in rendering, encryption, physics, and single-threaded tasks. For users who need a compact system without a discrete GPU, the 4600G makes sense, as its integrated Radeon Vega 7 removes the need for a separate graphics card.

Both CPUs sit at the 71st percentile of all CPUs in the database, so neither is a slouch. The 3600XT's average benchmark score of 17891 edges out the 4600G's 17507. The 3600XT is also rated at a higher TDP of 95 watts, which correlates with its higher clock speeds and larger L3 cache.

The verdict from the data is simple: pick the 3600XT for pure CPU performance, pick the 4600G if integrated graphics are required.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two CPUs:

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT | AMD Ryzen 5 4600G |

|---|---|---|

| Base clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 65 W |

| Architecture | Zen 2 (Matisse 2) | Zen 2 (Renoir) |

| Transistors | 3,800 million | 9,800 million |

| Die size | 74 mm² | 156 mm² |

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

| PCIe | Gen 4 | Gen 3, 20 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | None | Radeon Vega 7 |

| Release date | 2019-07-06 | 2020-07-20 |

| Launch MSRP | $249 | $154 |

| Part number | 100-100000281 | 100-000000147 |

| Series | 3000 series | 4000 series |

Identical across both: 6 cores, 12 threads, 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, DDR4 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, no ECC memory, AMD Socket AM4, 7 nm process, TSMC foundry, unlocked multiplier, desktop segment, active production status.