Ryzen 5 2600 vs Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is about 51% faster than the Ryzen 5 2600 in games where the processor sets the frame rate, in our estimates. Below: FPS in popular games, the specs side by side, and the graphics cards that suit each.
Updated · By Muhammad Muzammil
Rough estimate Our index for the Ryzen 5 2600 is interpolated from similar hardware, not taken from a direct test, so treat these numbers as a rough guide. How we estimate
The short answer
In a typical one of 8 popular games at 1080p High with an RTX 5090, the Ryzen 5 2600 gets about 77 FPS and the Ryzen 5 5600 about 117 FPS. With a slower graphics card, or at 1440p and 4K, the card sets the FPS more often and the gap gets smaller.
Both use the AM4 socket. Cores and threads: 6 / 12 on the Ryzen 5 2600, 6 / 12 on the Ryzen 5 5600.
Ryzen 5 2600 vs Ryzen 5 5600: FPS in popular games
Estimated FPS at 1080p High with 32 GB RAM (Ryzen 5 2600 / Ryzen 5 5600 in each column). With an RTX 5090, the processor sets the frame rate wherever it can. Values above 500 show as 500+. See FPS for your own PC.
| Game | RTX 5090 | RTX 5060 |
|---|---|---|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 177 / 268 | 177 / 268 |
| Valorant | 195 / 295 | 195 / 295 |
| Fortnite | 85 / 129 | 85 / 129 |
| Apex Legends | 78 / 118 | 78 / 118 |
| Marvel Rivals | 60 / 91 | 60 / 89 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 | 77 / 117 | 77 / 110 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 62 / 94 | 62 / 94 |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 63 / 95 | 63 / 95 |
With a mid-range graphics card such as an RTX 5060, the card sets the frame rate in more games, so the difference between the two processors is smaller.
Rough estimate Our index for the Ryzen 5 2600 is interpolated from similar hardware, not taken from a direct test, so treat these numbers as a rough guide.
Estimated FPS. Numbers come from the FPSVibe model, not measured benchmarks. How we estimate
Specs side by side
| Spec | Ryzen 5 2600 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost clock | up to 3.9 GHz | up to 4.4 GHz |
| L3 cache | 16 MB | 32 MB |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 |
| Integrated graphics | None | None |
| Power (TDP) | 65 W | 65 W |
| Launch year | 2018 | 2022 |
| Gaming index (est.) | 35.4 | 53.6 |
Gaming index: estimated CPU-bound gaming performance at 1080p, Ryzen 7 9800X3D = 100. Memory and box cooler as listed on AMD and Intel product pages; where we couldn't confirm a value there, check the manufacturer's page.
Graphics cards that pair well with the Ryzen 5 2600
Graphics cards that pair well with the Ryzen 5 5600
Check a build in the bottleneck calculator
Ryzen 5 2600 vs Ryzen 5 5600 FAQs
Is the Ryzen 5 2600 better than the Ryzen 5 5600 for gaming?
The Ryzen 5 5600 is about 51% faster than the Ryzen 5 2600 in games where the processor sets the frame rate, in our estimates. In a typical one of 8 popular games at 1080p High with an RTX 5090, the Ryzen 5 2600 gets about 77 FPS and the Ryzen 5 5600 about 117 FPS.
Ryzen 5 2600 or Ryzen 5 5600: which gets more FPS in Counter-Strike 2?
With an RTX 5090 at 1080p High, the Ryzen 5 2600 gets about 177 FPS and the Ryzen 5 5600 about 268 FPS in our estimates.
Do the Ryzen 5 2600 and Ryzen 5 5600 use the same motherboard?
Yes. Both use the AM4 socket, so the same motherboard can take either (it may need a BIOS update first).
Do the Ryzen 5 2600 and Ryzen 5 5600 have integrated graphics?
No. Neither has integrated graphics, so you need a graphics card to get a picture.
What graphics card should I pair with the Ryzen 5 2600 or the Ryzen 5 5600?
Balanced picks in our estimates: for the Ryzen 5 2600, RTX 5050, Arc B570, RX 7600, RTX 3050 6GB; for the Ryzen 5 5600, RX 9060 XT 16GB, RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, RX 9060 XT 8GB, RTX 5060.