8score
#322 of 555
Overall rank
AMDEntryPinnacle Riege (Zen+)

Ryzen 5 2600

6 cores · 12 threads · up to 3.9 GHz on AM4.

3.5 · 2,129 votes

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Cores
6
Threads
12
Boost
3.9 GHz
L3 cache
16 MB
TDP
65W
Socket
AM4

Performance breakdown

Gaming8
Productivity8
Single-core8
Multi-core25
Power efficiency8

Lab scores

Performance score8
Cores6
Threads12
Boost clock (GHz)3.9 GHz

Estimated gaming FPS

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

1080p18 fps
1440p14 fps
4K10 fps

Full specifications

Processor & cores
Architecture
Pinnacle Riege (Zen+)
Process node
12 nm
Socket
AM4
Release year
2018
Total cores
6
Threads
12
Clocks & cache
Base clock
3.4 GHz
Boost clock
3.9 GHz
Multiplier
34 (unlocked)
L1 cache
576 KB
L2 cache
3 MB
L3 cache
16 MB
Memory & platform
Memory support
DDR4
Max capacity
64 GB
Channels
2
Max bandwidth
46.933 GB/s
Base power (TDP)
65W
Max temperature
95°C
PCIe
PCIe 3.0
Launch price
$199
Technologies
Instruction sets
MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, BMI2, ABM, FMA, ADX, SMEP, SMAP, SMT, CPB, AES-NI, RDRAND, RDSEED, SHA, SME
Extensions
AES-NI, AVX, AMD-V, Precision Boost 2
Community Feedback

What Owners Say

Owners love the value and solid gaming performance for the price. The common gripe is it's slower in single-threaded tasks than newer chips, and stock coolers can be a bit loud.

Pros
  • Great value for budget gaming builds
  • Sips power, keeps electric bills low
  • Plays modern games without breaking sweat
  • Still holds up well for daily tasks
Cons
  • No integrated graphics at all
  • Slower single-core than Intel
  • Limited upgrade path on AM4
Verdict

Our verdict on the Ryzen 5 2600

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is a well-balanced six-core processor that brought strong multi-threading to the mainstream without demanding a premium price.

Get it if you need a cheap, solid six-core CPU for a budget gaming or office build that still handles modern games fine. Skip it if you want top gaming speed today—newer chips are faster and worth the extra cash.

Buy it if…

  • You want a solid, affordable six-core CPU for gaming and light work
  • You need a cheap upgrade for an existing AM4 motherboard
  • You are building a budget PC and don't need the latest features
3.5

2,129 votes

Rate this CPU

Add your verdict