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AMD Ryzen 5 2500X vs AMD Ryzen 5 3500: Comparison

Ryzen 5 2500X vs Ryzen 5 3500 l3 cache compared

On l3 cache the spread is 50%, Ryzen 5 2500X 8 MB against Ryzen 5 3500 16 MB, so Ryzen 5 3500 takes it. The total cores figures are near enough to ignore, 4 on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus 6 on the Ryzen 5 3500. On performance cores there is little in it, 4 on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus 6 on the Ryzen 5 3500. Total threads is closer, 8 on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus 6 on the Ryzen 5 3500. There is a split on p-core boost clock as well, Up to 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus 4.1 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3500. L2 cache runs the same way, 2 MB on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus 3 MB on the Ryzen 5 3500, another win for Ryzen 5 3500. Form factor is not the same on both, Desktops on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus Desktop on the Ryzen 5 3500. They differ on igpu too, Discrete Graphics Card Required on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus None on the Ryzen 5 3500. Smt enabled is not the same on both, Yes on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus No on the Ryzen 5 3500.

Which should you buy, Ryzen 5 2500X or Ryzen 5 3500?

Buy the Ryzen 5 2500X for mainstream desktop builds and everyday productivity, though it is not the pick for extreme overclocking (unless K/X-series) and workstation-class multi-threaded workloads. Take the Ryzen 5 3500 for budget gaming desktop builds wanting strong per-core performance without needing hyperthreading. Avoid it for buyers needing hyperthreading for multi-threaded productivity work, this chip runs 6 physical threads without SMT.

Where the two are identical

Where they agree, they agree completely, efficiency cores, p-core base clock, tdp, integrated graphics and socket included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 2 further specifications as well.

Frequently asked questions

Do the Ryzen 5 2500X and Ryzen 5 3500 differ on memory type?

Yes. Memory Type reads DDR4, 2-Channel, Up to 2933 MT/s on the Ryzen 5 2500X versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3500.

Is the Market Segment the same on the Ryzen 5 2500X and Ryzen 5 3500?

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 3500
    Desktop
  • Codename

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    Pinnacle Ridge
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    Matisse
  • TDP

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    65 W
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    65 W
  • iGPU

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    Discrete Graphics Card Required
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    None
  • Market Segment

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    Desktop
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    Desktop
  • Socket

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    AM4
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    AM4
  • Process Node

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    12 nm
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    7 nm
  • Total Cores

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    4
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    6Best
  • Performance Cores

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    4
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    6Best
  • Efficiency Cores

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    0
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    0
  • Total Threads

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    8Best
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    6
  • SMT Enabled

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    Yes
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    No
  • P-Core Base Clock

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    3.6 GHz
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    3.6 GHz
  • P-Core Boost Clock

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    Up to 4 GHz
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    4.1 GHz
  • L2 Cache

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    2 MB-33%
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    3 MBBest
  • L3 Cache

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    8 MB-50%
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    16 MBBest
  • Base Power

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    65 W
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    65 W
  • Memory Type

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    DDR4, 2-Channel, Up to 2933 MT/s
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    DDR4-3200
  • Integrated Graphics

    AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
    No
    AMD Ryzen 5 3500
    No

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose 2500X if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.

    Choose 3500 if you want the higher L2 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB) and the higher L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB).