AMD Ryzen 5 5600 vs AMD Ryzen 5 8500G Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and AMD Ryzen 5 8500G are both six-core, twelve-thread desktop processors, but they represent very different generations and platforms. The 5600 is a Zen 3 part for the mature AM4 socket, while the 8500G is a Zen 4 chip for the newer AM5 platform with integrated graphics. Benchmark data shows a near-tie in average scores, with the 5600 at 20468 and the 8500G at 20425, a difference of just 0.2%. However, the distribution of wins is lopsided, with the 8500G taking 17 of the 25 head-to-head tests, suggesting a significant shift in workload strengths.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic victories belong to the Ryzen 5 5600 in specific compute tasks. In the PassMark find prime numbers test, the 5600 scores 137 against the 8500G's 87, a massive 57.5% advantage. This points to a substantial difference in how the two chips handle integer-heavy, latency-sensitive workloads. The 5600 also leads in PassMark integer math with 68396 versus 63123, an 8.4% margin, and in PassMark data encryption with 15531 versus 14220, a 9.2% edge. In 3DMark's threaded tests, the 5600 is consistently ahead: it wins 16-thread (5641 vs 5224, +8%), max-thread (5659 vs 5213, +8.6%), 4-thread (3313 vs 3130, +5.8%), and 8-thread (4798 vs 4565, +5.1%) runs. These results indicate that the older chip holds a clear advantage when all cores are hammered simultaneously or when workloads depend on raw integer throughput.

The Ryzen 5 8500G dominates in single-thread and light-thread scenarios. Its PassMark single-thread score is 3891 versus 3256 for the 5600, a 16.3% lead. Geekbench single-core shows an even larger gap: 2354 versus 1936, a 17.8% difference. The 8500G also wins the 3DMark single-thread test (998 vs 882, +11.6%) and the 2-thread test (1913 vs 1737, +9.2%). In PassMark random string sorting, the 8500G is ahead by 11.8% (29407 vs 25943), and in extended instructions it leads by 11% (19098 vs 16993). These are classic signs of a newer architecture with higher per-core performance, which translates directly to snappier response in lightly threaded applications and everyday use.

The Cinebench results are remarkably close, showing that sustained multi-core rendering performance is nearly identical. The 8500G edges out the 5600 in Cinebench R23 multi-core (18368 vs 18309, +0.3%) and single-core (2593 vs 2584, +0.3%). Similar margins appear in Cinebench R20 and R15, with the 8500G winning by 0.3-0.4% in all four tests. This is a statistical tie in practical terms. The same pattern holds for PassMark multi-thread (21610 vs 21541, +0.3%) and floating point math (39074 vs 38778, +0.8%). The only notable multi-core win for the 8500G is in Geekbench multi-core, where it scores 9444 versus 9158, a 3% advantage.

Architecture Differences

The core architectural split explains the benchmark results. The Ryzen 5 5600 uses TSMC's 7nm process with a die size of 74 mm² and 4,150 million transistors. It is based on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, and fits the AMD Socket AM4. The Ryzen 5 8500G is built on TSMC's 4nm node, has a much larger 137 mm² die with 20,900 million transistors, and uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Phoenix2, on the AMD Socket AM5. This process shrink and architecture update are the primary drivers of the 8500G's superior single-thread performance.

Cache configurations differ substantially. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core, but the 5600 has 512 KB of L2 per core compared to 1 MB per core on the 8500G. The L3 cache is reversed in capacity: the 5600 has 32 MB shared, while the 8500G has only 16 MB shared. This halving of L3 cache likely contributes to the 5600's strong showing in the prime number test, which is highly sensitive to cache latency and capacity. The 8500G's larger L2 cache helps with its single-thread efficiency.

Memory support is a major platform split. The 5600 uses DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The 8500G uses DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, a 62.5% increase. The 8500G also includes integrated graphics, specifically the Radeon 740M, while the 5600 has no integrated graphics. PCIe lane counts differ: the 5600 offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the 8500G offers Gen 4 with 14 lanes. The 8500G's market segment is listed as Mobile, despite being a desktop part, while the 5600 is Desktop.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded tasks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is clearly faster. It leads by 17.8% in Geekbench single-core (2354 vs 1936) and by 16.3% in PassMark single-thread (3891 vs 3256). In 3DMark single-thread, the 8500G scores 998 versus 882 for the 5600, an 11.6% advantage.

Q: Is the Ryzen 5 5600 better at any heavily threaded workload?

A: Yes, in several. The 5600 wins 3DMark 16-thread by 8% (5641 vs 5224) and max-thread by 8.6% (5659 vs 5213). It also leads in PassMark data encryption by 9.2% and integer math by 8.4%. However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 8500G wins by a slim 0.3% (18368 vs 18309).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the 5600 scores 137 against the 8500G's 87, a 57.5% difference. The second largest is Geekbench single-core, where the 8500G leads by 17.8%.

Q: Do these processors support error-correcting memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G list ECC memory support as true in their specifications.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G has a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz compared to the 5600's 4.40 GHz. Their base clocks are identical at 3.50 GHz.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 5600 has an average benchmark score of 20468, while the 8500G scores 20425. This puts the 5600 just 0.2% ahead, and both rank in the 74th percentile of all CPUs. The nearest rival to both is the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, which scores 20454.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload priorities. For users who value raw multi-threaded integer performance, legacy platform compatibility, or tasks like encryption and prime number calculation, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is the superior pick. Its wins in 3DMark threaded tests and PassMark integer math show a tangible edge in sustained parallel compute. The 5600 also offers more PCIe lanes (20 vs 14) and a larger L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB), which may benefit certain workloads.

For anyone building a new system or prioritizing single-thread responsiveness, the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is the better choice. It is decisively ahead in every single-thread benchmark, with margins ranging from 11.6% to 17.8%. It also brings integrated Radeon 740M graphics, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. The 8500G's DDR5 support and higher memory bandwidth (83.2 GB/s vs 51.2 GB/s) future-proof a build. The 8500G is the more versatile chip overall, winning 17 of 25 head-to-head tests, but the 5600 remains a strong option for those maximizing multi-threaded integer throughput on the AM4 platform.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 | AMD Ryzen 5 8500G |

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

| Series | 5000 series | 8000 series |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Zen 4 |

| Codename | Vermeer | Phoenix2 |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 4 nm |

| Transistors | 4,150 million | 20,900 million |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | 137 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 83.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 14 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon 740M |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| Multiplier Unlocked | True | False |

| Launch MSRP | $199 | $179 |

| Release Date | 2022-04-19 | 2024-01-07 |