Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The limited-edition Ryzen 5 5600X3D is almost exactly what you’d expect from a smaller Ryzen 7 5800X3D model, providing 95% of the gaming performance of its pricier counterpart for 20% less cash. That also equates to Intel-beating gaming performance that sets a new bar for mid-range chips. However, this specialized processor is specifically optimized for gaming, so it trails Intel’s competing Core processors in productivity applications.
Below, we have the geometric mean of our gaming test suite at 1080p and 1440p and a cumulative measure of performance in single- and multi-threaded applications. We conducted our gaming tests with an Nvidia RTX 4090, so performance deltas will shrink with lesser cards and higher resolution and fidelity settings. This is especially important to remember with these lower-end processors as they will be paired with lower-end GPUs.
The Ryzen 5 5600X3D is ~20% faster than the Core i5-13400 in our cumulative measure of 1080p gaming, and it’s also faster than all the standard Zen 3 and Zen 4 processors, sans the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. You’ll have to step up to the much more expensive Ryzen 7000X3D or an expensive K-series Intel processor to find faster gaming performance. Head to our gaming page for the full title-by-title breakdown.
The Ryzen 5 5600X3D is optimized for gaming, but the 3D V-Cache tech results in lower clock speeds that hamper performance in productivity applications. The chip also leverages the previous-gen Zen 3 architecture, so application performance is particularly lackluster compared to newer Ryzen 7000 chips. For instance, the Intel Core i5-13400 is 35% faster in threaded applications and 26% faster in single-threaded work than the 5600X3D, highlighting that it’s the far better choice if you’re looking for an all-rounder.
While you gain tremendously in gaming performance, you will lose quite a bit of performance in productivity apps if you select a 5600X3D. If you’re upgrading an existing AM4 rig and looking for a more well-rounded chip in this price range, the Ryzen 7 5700X is a solid choice.
The Ryzen 5 5600X3D doesn’t officially support overclocking the CPU cores or adjusting the voltages in any way. Unofficial workarounds do exist but are risky. You can fully overclock both the memory and fabric, but this results in meager performance gains.
One of the Ryzen 5 5600XD’s greatest advantages comes in the form of AMD’s AM4 socket. This motherboard platform has soldiered on since 2017, housing five CPU generations spanning 125+ processors and over 500+ different motherboard designs, but it is truly the gift that keeps on giving with the arrival of the Ryzen 5 5600X3D — albeit while stock and access to the limited-edition processor lasts.
| Ryzen 5 5600X3D Bundle | Ryzen 5 5600X3D Chip | Core i5-13400 DDR4 | Core i5-13400 DDR5 | Ryzen 5 7600 DDR5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chip | $229 Ryzen 5 5600X3D | $229 Ryzen 5 5600X3D | $205 Core i5-13400F, $228 13400 | $205 Core i5-13400F, $228 13400 | $219 Ryzen 5 7600 |
| 16 GB Memory - Stock | G.Skill Ripjaws V | $30 | $30 | $40 | $60 |
| Compatible Motherboards (Median starting price) | ASUS B550-PLUS TUF Motherboard | $85 - B450 | B660 $99, B760 $110 | B760 $130, B660 $250 | B650 - $124 |
| Minimum Total Cost / Cost per frame | $329 / $1.87 | $344 / $1.89 | $334 / $2.18 | $375 / $2.45 | $403 / $2.50 |
| 1080p fps geomean | 181 fps | 181 fps | 153 fps | 152 fps | 161 fps |
The AM4 platform still supports inexpensive DDR4 memory, addressing a key pricing pain point with budget-minded builds. That helps give the Ryzen 5 5600X3D the advantage in cost-per-frame metrics. As you can see, the Micro Center bundle deal is a no-brainer if you’re looking to build a new system around the 5600X3D — you’d be hard-pressed to build a similar package at that pricing. Given the options in this price range, the 5600X3D is the best option for a gaming-focused system built around a mid-range chip, particularly if you’re on a strict budget.
Despite its 105W rating, the Ryzen 5 5600X3D was easy to cool and never exceeded 87W. Ryzen 1000-, 2000- and 3000-series upgraders can drop the 5600X3D into existing AM4 platforms with minimal fuss, thus providing a less-expensive pathway to near-peak gaming performance on the AM4 platform.
It’s a bummer that the Ryzen 5 5600X3D is a limited-edition chip, especially considering its positioning against the Core i5-13400. Ultimately, the Ryzen 5 5600X3D won’t have an impact on the long-term AMD vs Intel competitive landscape due to its limited supply. Still, it's a fantastic deal for both collectors and value-seekers alike while it lasts. You’ll have to drive to the nearest Micro Center to score a chip. While the company expects to have availability for several months, they could run out sooner (hopefully scalpers don’t ruin the party). We imagine sales will be brisk when they begin on July 7.
- MORE: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D vs Intel Core i9-13900K vs Core i7-13700K
- MORE: Best CPU for gaming
- MORE: CPU Benchmark Hierarchy
- MORE: Intel vs AMD
- MORE: How to Overclock a CPU
