6score
#385 of 555
Overall rank
AMDEntryZen+

Ryzen 5 2500X

4 cores · 8 threads · up to 4.0 GHz on AM4.

4.3 · 19 votes

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Cores
4
Threads
8
Boost
4.0 GHz
L3 cache
8 MB
TDP
65W
Socket
AM4

Performance breakdown

Gaming6
Productivity6
Single-core6
Multi-core17
Power efficiency6

Lab scores

Performance score6
Cores4
Threads8
Boost clock (GHz)4.0 GHz

Estimated gaming FPS

Paired with a high-end GPU. CPU impact is largest at 1080p.

1080p13 fps
1440p11 fps
4K7 fps

Full specifications

Processor & cores
Architecture
Zen+
Process node
12 nm
Socket
AM4
Release year
2018
Total cores
4
Threads
8
Clocks & cache
Base clock
3.6 GHz
Boost clock
4.0 GHz
Multiplier
36 (unlocked)
L1 cache
384 KB
L2 cache
2 MB
L3 cache
8 MB
Memory & platform
Memory support
DDR4
Max capacity
64 GB
Channels
2
Max bandwidth
46.933 GB/s
Base power (TDP)
65W
PCIe
PCIe 3.0
Technologies
Extensions
AES-NI, AVX, AMD-V, Precision Boost 2
Community Feedback

What Owners Say

Fans like the solid value for a budget gaming build, especially paired with a cheap B450 board. The common complaint is that the stock cooler can get annoyingly loud under load.

Pros
  • Quiet enough for a tiny PC
  • Great value for basic gaming
  • Runs cool on stock cooling
  • Easy drop-in upgrade for AM4
Cons
  • Four cores only for modern loads
  • No integrated graphics at all
  • Limited upgrade path on older boards
Verdict

Our verdict on the Ryzen 5 2500X

The AMD Ryzen 5 2500X is a four-core, eight-thread budget processor with Zen+ architecture, but its biggest caveat was it never got a proper retail release.

Get it if you need a cheap, low-power CPU for a basic office PC or home server that just works. Skip it if you want to game or multitask, because newer CPUs and even some older models offer way more performance for the money.

Buy it if…

  • You need a cheap, snappy upgrade for an older AM4 board.
  • You want a balanced budget gaming chip that doesn’t need a fancy cooler.
  • You are building a basic office PC that won’t break your bank account.
4.3

19 votes

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