Is the 3600XT Good for Gaming?
Based on our evaluation of using AMD's Ryzen 5 3600XT CPU for gaming, you can expect good game performance with a high-performance CPU cooler.
To evaluate performance, we developed this assessment based on the following CPU characteristics and their relevance to the latest graphically intensive games.
- 32 MB of L3 cache is excellent for performance
- 6 cores allow for good performance
- 3.8 GHz base frequency
- 4.5 GHz single-core max boost frequency is excellent for performance (requires a high-end cooler)
- Max stock DDR4 speed of 3200 MHz can be good for performance
- Overclocking support can be excellent for performance (requires a high-end cooler)
- PCIe 4.0 support can be excellent for performance (with the fastest SSDs and GPUs)
Performance of the Ryzen 5 3600XT
| Core Count: | 6 |
|---|---|
| Thread Count: | 12 |
| L3 Cache: | 32 MB |
| Base Freq.: | 3.8 GHz |
| Max Boost Freq. (1 Core): | 4.5 GHz |
Cores
3600XT: Based on our evaluation, the 3600XT's 6 cores allow for good performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Learn more about Core Counts
below.
Base Frequency
3600XT: The 3600XT has a 3.8 GHz base frequency, which is the speed before boosting.
Learn more about CPU Clock Speeds below.
Single-Core Boost Frequency
3600XT: Based on our evaluation, the 3600XT's 4.5 GHz single-core max boost frequency is excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games. You can maintain these frequencies with a high-end cooler.
Learn more about CPU Clock Speeds below.
Overclocking Support
3600XT: Based on our evaluation, the 3600XT CPU's support for overclocking can be excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Learn more about Overclocking below.
DDR Support
3600XT: Based on our evaluation, the 3600XT CPU's support for DDR4 with a max stock speed of 3200 MHz can be good for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Learn more about DDR Support below.
PCIe
3600XT: Based on our evaluation, the 3600XT CPU's support for PCIe 4.0 can be excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games, when using the fastest SSDs and graphics cards.
L3 Cache
3600XT: Based on our evaluation, the 3600XT's impressive 32 MB of L3 cache is excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Learn more about Cache Sizes below.
Is the Cache Size of the 3600XT Good for Gaming?
A CPU's cache is a small amount of memory, close to the CPU cores, containing recently used data.
Games performance can improve as cache size increases, as it will reduce delays when retrieving commonly used game assets from memory.
An L3 cache capacity of at least 20 MB is ideal for game performance.
The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT has an L3 cache capacity of 32 MB.
Based on our evaluation, the 3600XT's impressive 32 MB of L3 cache is excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Is the Core Count of the 3600XT Good for Gaming?
Increased core counts can improve the performance of games that use them, but most modern games don't benefit from having more than 6–8 cores. We've experienced the best performance by prioritizing a higher single-core boost frequency, then on a higher multi-core boost frequency, rather than focusing on core count alone. Remember that cache sizes often increase along with core counts, so if you want to increase your L3 cache, you may need to get a CPU with more cores.
AMD's Ryzen 5 3600XT CPUs have 6 cores.
Based on our evaluation, the 3600XT's 6 cores allow for good performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Is the Clock Speed of the 3600XT Good for Gaming?
We've found that single-core performance is crucial for certain games, as many titles don't fully utilize multiple cores.
Boost frequencies are typically only reached under ideal conditions. For consistent gaming performance with a basic cooler, the most reliable approach is to opt for a processor with a higher base clock speed. However, with adequate cooling, you may be able to sustain speeds closer to the maximum boost frequency.
Based on our evaluation, the 3600XT CPU's support for overclocking can be excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
The processor has a 3.8 GHz base frequency and supports a 4.5 GHz single-core max boost frequency.
The 3600XT has a 3.8 GHz base frequency, which is the speed before boosting.
Based on our evaluation, the 3600XT's 4.5 GHz single-core max boost frequency is excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games. You can maintain these frequencies with a high-end cooler.
The 3600XT does not have Performance cores.
Check out my article, Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for AMD's Ryzen 5 3600XT, for recommended coolers that can maintain these boost frequencies.
Is the DDR Support of the 3600XT Good for Gaming?
Based on our evaluation, the 3600XT CPU's support for DDR4 with a max stock speed of 3200 MHz can be good for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Faster PC memory can improve game performance and frame rates, but using the fastest RAM may not have as much of an impact as upgrading your CPU and graphics card or adding more RAM.
Learn more about DDR in DDR4 vs. DDR5? Which You Should Buy.
Learn about our recommended RAM for the 3600XT in Best RAM for the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT CPU.
Considerations for Choosing a CPU
Core Count
AMD's Ryzen 5 3600XT CPUs have 6 cores.
We found that, in general, more cores do provide better performance in professional tools and when running multiple applications simultaneously.
Increased core counts can improve the performance of games and professional tools that use them. Most modern games don't benefit from having more than 6–8 cores. Even general apps can benefit from many cores when numerous applications are open simultaneously. Web browsers don't significantly take advantage of multiple cores when loading a single page. However, more CPU cores can improve performance when running demanding web apps in multiple windows.
CPU Clock Speeds
The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT has a 3.8 GHz base frequency and supports a 4.5 GHz single-core max boost frequency.
We've experienced that single-core performance is essential for some games, as many don't take full advantage of multiple cores. Similarly, we have experienced that professional tools depend on high single and multi-core boost frequencies to maximize their processing speed.
Boost frequencies are only achieved under ideal circumstances. However, with adequate cooling, you may be able to maintain speeds near the max boost frequency.
Check out my article, Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for AMD's Ryzen 5 3600XT, for recommended coolers that can maintain these boost frequencies on the 3600XT.
Higher vs. Lower Base Frequencies
We've found that lower base clock speeds result in lower power consumption.
A CPU's base frequency refers to the clock speed at which its cores run under normal operating conditions. However, the actual clock speed of the CPU can vary depending on the workload and the system power state.
A lower base frequency can lead to better power savings overall since the clock speed decreases when the load is low, resulting in lower power consumption. However, a CPU may run slower than the base frequency to conserve power or reduce heat generation. For example, modern CPUs use technologies like Intel SpeedStep or AMD Cool'n'Quiet to dynamically adjust the CPU's clock speed based on the system's workload and power state.
A CPU with a lower base frequency may generate less heat under normal operating conditions, enabling it to boost some cores to higher frequencies while remaining within its thermal limits. This lower base frequency results in better performance than a CPU with a higher base frequency, which may not be able to sustain its boost frequency for long periods due to thermal throttling. However, this is mostly only relevant if your system's cooling solution can only partially dissipate the heat produced by all cores being fully boosted.
DDR Support
The 3600XT CPU's fastest supported DDR memory type is DDR4, with a max stock speed of 3200 MHz.
You can exceed these stock speeds officially supported by CPUs when overclocking memory, such as with an XMP profile. Motherboard specifications will indicate their supported overclocked-memory speeds. To be able to overclock DDR memory, your motherboard chipset needs to support memory overclocking.
Faster PC memory can improve game and professional tool performance by reducing the time it takes to perform calculations and data operations.
We've experienced that using the quickest RAM may not have as much of an impact as upgrading your CPU and graphics card or adding more RAM.
Learn about our recommended RAM for the 3600XT in Best RAM for the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT CPU.
Cache Size
The AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT has an L3 cache capacity of 32 MB.
A CPU's cache is a small amount of memory, close to the CPU cores, containing recently used data. An L3 cache capacity of at least 20 MB is ideal for games and professional tool performance.
Games and professional tool performance can improve as cache size increases, as it can reduce delays when retrieving commonly used assets from memory. While nearly any task will use a CPU's cache, our research indicates that a large cache becomes less impactful for general PC usage, such as browsing webpages.
Remember that cache sizes often increase with core counts, so if you want to increase your L3 cache, you may need to get a CPU with more cores.
Overclocking
The 3600XT supports overclocking.
Overclocking is mainly relevant for PC gamers who want to maximize their game framerates. CPU overclocking increases frequencies past their default limits. Excellent heat dissipation via fans or another solution is required to maintain system stability while overclocking. While we felt a sense of excitement and anticipation when we pushed the limits of our CPU's performance, it's essential to remember that overclocking comes with the risk of damaging your system components or voiding warranties.
Professional tools can benefit from overclocked frequencies. However, overclocking may introduce some possibility of system instability, which may be less acceptable in business scenarios. We've found out the hard way that losing work due to system instability is a pain.
What Does the XT Suffix in 3600XT Mean?
| Processor Name Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| XT | "X" means it is an extended frequency range CPU. These CPUs support higher frequencies than standard CPUs. "XT" processors provide a very slight additional increase in frequency compared to "X" processors. |
The 3600XT model name doesn't have a G suffix. Non-G CPUs do not contain integrated graphics, and a separate graphics card is required.
Find the Ryzen 5 3600XT on Amazon
Learn More About the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- Motherboard: Choosing the Best Motherboard for AMD's Ryzen 5 3600XT
- Chipset: Which Chipsets Work With AMD's Ryzen 5 3600XT CPU?
- Cooler: Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for AMD's Ryzen 5 3600XT
- Power Supply: Choosing the Best Power Supply for AMD's Ryzen 5 3600XT CPU
- RAM: Best RAM for the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT CPU
- TDP: What Is the TDP of the Ryzen 5 3600XT CPU?
- Gaming: Is the Ryzen 5 3600XT CPU Good for Gaming?