AMD Ryzen 5 3500X
- Boost/Base Clock:
- 4.1 GHz / 3.6 GHz
- Core/Thread Count:
- 6 Core / 6 Thread
- Cache:
- 32MB L3 + 3MB L2 + 384KB L1
- TDP:
- 65 Watts
- CPU Process Node:
- 7 Nanometers (TSMC)
- CPU Socket:
- AM4
- CPU Series:
- Zen 2, Ryzen 3000 Series
- Memory Support:
- DDR4-3200
- Form Factor:
- Desktop
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Manufacturer: AMD Last updated: September 9, 2026
AMD Ryzen 5 3500X Review
The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X is a 6-core, 6-thread budget desktop processor built on Zen 2, running a genuinely high 3.6 GHz base clock that boosts to 4.1 GHz, with a genuinely large 32MB L3 cache within a 65 Watt TDP, and ships with a Wraith Stealth cooler.
This chip drops SMT for 6 physical cores without hyperthreading, a genuinely unusual configuration paired with a surprisingly large 32MB L3 cache typically reserved for higher-tier Zen 2 chips.
Integrated Graphics
This chip ships without a functional integrated GPU; a discrete graphics card is required for display output.
How Is the Ryzen 5 3500X in Terms of Performance
The 6 physical cores without SMT paired with a genuinely large 32MB L3 cache gives this chip strong gaming performance for its price tier, since most games of its era benefited more from cache and per-core speed than extra threads.
Benchmarks
Cinebench R20 single-core scores of 462 reflect genuinely strong per-core performance for a budget Zen 2 chip, a key driver of this processor's strong gaming value at its price point.
Our verdict
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Best for
- Budget gaming desktop builds wanting strong per-core performance and a large cache without needing hyperthreading
Not for
- Buyers needing hyperthreading for multi-threaded productivity work, this chip runs 6 physical threads without SMT
Specifications
What these specs meanIdentity
| Brand | AMD |
|---|---|
| Product Line | Ryzen 5 |
| Model Number | 3500X |
| Codename | Matisse |
| Release Year | 2019 |
Segment and platform
| Market Segment | Desktop |
|---|---|
| Microarchitecture | Zen 2, Ryzen 3000 Series |
| Socket | AM4 |
| Process Node | 7 nm |
Core configuration
| Total Cores | 6 |
|---|---|
| Performance Cores | 6 |
| Efficiency Cores | 0 |
| Total Threads | 6 |
| SMT Enabled | No |
Clock speeds
| P-Core Base Clock | 3.6 GHz |
|---|---|
| P-Core Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz |
Cache
| L2 Cache | 3 MB |
|---|---|
| L3 Cache | 32 MB |
Power and thermal
| Base Power | 65 W |
|---|
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR4-3200 |
|---|
Graphics and AI
| Integrated Graphics | No |
|---|
| Form Factor | Desktop |
|---|---|
| TDP | 65 W |
| iGPU | None |
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X?
The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X has 6 cores and 6 threads, a 3.6 GHz base and 4.1 GHz boost clock, 32 MB of L3 cache and a 65 W TDP. It has no integrated graphics, so it needs a graphics card. Socket: AM4.
Will the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X work with my current setup?
The AMD Ryzen 5 3500X lists CPU Socket is AM4. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X best suited to?
Best suited to: Budget gaming desktop builds wanting strong per-core performance and a large cache without needing hyperthreading.
What are the drawbacks of the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X?
Not the best fit for: Buyers needing hyperthreading for multi-threaded productivity work, this chip runs 6 physical threads without SMT.