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AMD Ryzen 5 2500X vs AMD Ryzen 5 2600X: Comparison
Ryzen 5 2500X vs Ryzen 5 2600X l3 cache compared
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: Ryzen 5 2500X 8 MB against Ryzen 5 2600X 16 MB, which puts Ryzen 5 2600X 50% ahead. They differ on p-core boost clock too, Up to 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2600X. There is a split on tdp as well, 65 W on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus 95 W on the Ryzen 5 2600X. L2 cache runs the same way, 2 MB on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus 3 MB on the Ryzen 5 2600X, another win for Ryzen 5 2600X. They differ on form factor too, Desktops on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus Desktop on the Ryzen 5 2600X. Igpu is not the same on both, Discrete Graphics Card Required on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus None on the Ryzen 5 2600X.
Which should you buy, Ryzen 5 2500X or Ryzen 5 2600X?
Buy the Ryzen 5 2500X for mainstream desktop builds and everyday productivity, though it is not built for extreme overclocking (unless K/X-series) and workstation-class multi-threaded workloads. The Ryzen 5 2600X is the one to take for gaming and productivity desktop builds wanting genuine 6-core Zen+ performance. It is the wrong buy for buyers with access to Zen 2 or newer chips, those generations offer meaningfully better per-core performance.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, efficiency cores, p-core base clock, integrated graphics, socket and release year included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 3 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Ryzen 5 2500X and Ryzen 5 2600X differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 4 on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus 6 on the Ryzen 5 2600X.
Is the Market Segment the same on the Ryzen 5 2500X and Ryzen 5 2600X?
It is. Both are listed at Desktop, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- Desktops
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Desktop
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- Pinnacle Ridge
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Pinnacle Ridge
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- 2018
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 2018
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- 65 W
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 95 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- Discrete Graphics Card Required
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- None
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Desktop
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- AM4
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- AM4
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- 12 nm
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 12 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- 4
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 6Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- 4
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 6Best
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- 0
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 0
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- 8
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 12Best
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- Yes
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- 3.6 GHz
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 3.6 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- Up to 4 GHz
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 4.2 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- Yes
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- 2 MB-33%
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 3 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- 8 MB-50%
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 16 MBBest
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- 65 W
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 95 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- DDR4, 2-Channel, Up to 2933 MT/s
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- DDR4
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- No
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
- PCIe 3.0
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- 3.0
Which one should you pick?
Choose 2500X if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose 2600X if you want the higher L2 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB) and the higher L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 5 2500X | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $229.00 View on Consumercarts listing |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.