When AMD launched the Ryzen 3000 series we were able to get our hands on both the Ryzen 9 3900X and Ryzen 7 3700X. Both of these are very impressive processors, but they have price-tags that could break the bank for many people. So today we are checking out the $249 Ryzen 5 3600X. This by no means is a low-end processor, some might actually consider the 3600X a value at its price-tag. It is a 6-core, 12-thread part with a base clock of 3.8 GHz, max boost clock of 4.4 GHz and 35 MB of AMD GameCache. At $249 it is right in the wheel-house of many people looking to upgrade or build a new system. And with 6-cores and 12-threads it should be able to handle pretty much anything you throw at it. Is this the real star of the Ryzen 3000 series? Read on as we find out!
Special thanks to AMD for providing us with the Ryzen 5 3600X Processor to review.
Specifications
# of CPU Cores: 6
# of Threads: 12
Base Clock: 3.8GHz
Max Boost Clock: 4.4GHz
Total L2 Cache: 3MB
Total L3 Cache: 32MB
Unlocked: Yes
CMOS: TSMC 7nm FinFET
Package: AM4
PCI Express® Version: PCIe 4.0 x16
Thermal Solution: Wraith Spire
Default TDP: 95W
Packaging
AMD has slightly changed their packaging from the Ryzen 2000 series. The box stands out a lot more in my opinion. Just like last generation though you have the Ryzen logo on the front with a small “5” in the bottom right denoting that this is a Ryzen 5 processor.
![AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Processor](https://thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ryzen5-3600x-1-350x197.jpg)
![AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Processor](https://thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ryzen5-3600x-3-350x197.jpg)
On the side of the box we have information on the included Wraith Spire cooler. Moving to the other side we actually get a view of our processor.
![AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Processor](https://thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ryzen5-3600x-6-350x197.jpg)
![AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Processor](https://thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ryzen5-3600x-4-350x197.jpg)
On the back of the box is a small paragraph letting you know what all comes inside. Getting everything out of the box you have the Ryzen 5 3600X processor, the AMD Wraith Spire CPU cooler, installation instructions, and a small Ryzen 5 sticker.
![AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Processor](https://thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ryzen5-3600x-5-350x197.jpg)
![AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Processor](https://thinkcomputers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ryzen5-3600x-7-350x197.jpg)
Before we throw the processor in our test system here are a few quick shots!