Ryzen 5 3500U vs Ryzen 7 5700X

AMD

Ryzen 5 3500U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2019

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2022

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Ryzen 5 3500U

2019

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Vega 8, while Ryzen 7 5700X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5700X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,545 vs 14,000).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 5700X

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +209.3% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).
  • 100% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $299 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 3500U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 3500U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5700X better than Ryzen 5 3500U?
Yes. Ryzen 7 5700X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 209.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 294.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 289.2% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 5700X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 209.3% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 5700X is the better fit. You are getting 294.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 5700X is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 7 5700X is at an unclear MSRP at $299 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 209.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 5700X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019), 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetRyzen 5 3500URyzen 7 5700X
1080p
low169 FPS156 FPS
medium149 FPS129 FPS
high120 FPS115 FPS
ultra98 FPS94 FPS
1440p
low142 FPS137 FPS
medium121 FPS111 FPS
high95 FPS95 FPS
ultra76 FPS78 FPS
4K
low67 FPS77 FPS
medium61 FPS67 FPS
high48 FPS55 FPS
ultra37 FPS43 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetRyzen 5 3500URyzen 7 5700X
1080p
low120 FPS649 FPS
medium105 FPS549 FPS
high97 FPS448 FPS
ultra78 FPS404 FPS
1440p
low103 FPS552 FPS
medium90 FPS484 FPS
high83 FPS407 FPS
ultra70 FPS350 FPS
4K
low77 FPS343 FPS
medium69 FPS303 FPS
high56 FPS277 FPS
ultra42 FPS245 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetRyzen 5 3500URyzen 7 5700X
1080p
low171 FPS665 FPS
medium171 FPS557 FPS
high171 FPS509 FPS
ultra171 FPS439 FPS
1440p
low171 FPS554 FPS
medium171 FPS458 FPS
high171 FPS419 FPS
ultra171 FPS358 FPS
4K
low171 FPS402 FPS
medium171 FPS322 FPS
high171 FPS292 FPS
ultra171 FPS229 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetRyzen 5 3500URyzen 7 5700X
1080p
low171 FPS665 FPS
medium171 FPS665 FPS
high171 FPS665 FPS
ultra171 FPS665 FPS
1440p
low171 FPS665 FPS
medium171 FPS665 FPS
high171 FPS607 FPS
ultra171 FPS533 FPS
4K
low171 FPS545 FPS
medium171 FPS488 FPS
high171 FPS439 FPS
ultra171 FPS385 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 3500U and Ryzen 7 5700X

AMD

Ryzen 5 3500U

The Ryzen 5 3500U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,836 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

Ryzen 7 5700X

The Ryzen 7 5700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 26,609 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 3500U packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 5700X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3500U versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5700X (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3500U uses the Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020) architecture (12 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3500U scores 6,836 against the Ryzen 7 5700X's 26,609 — a 118.2% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 3,545 vs 14,000 (119.2% advantage for the Ryzen 7 5700X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 876 vs 2,116, a 82.9% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,898 vs 9,715 (134.6% advantage for the Ryzen 7 5700X). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3500U vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5700X.

FeatureRyzen 5 3500URyzen 7 5700X
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
4.6 GHz+24%
Base Clock
2.1 GHz
3.4 GHz+62%
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+700%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
12 nm
7 nm-42%
Architecture
Picasso-U (Zen+) (2019−2020)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
6,836
26,609+289%
Cinebench R23 Multi
3,545
14,000+295%
Geekbench 6 Single
876
2,116+142%
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,898
9,715+412%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 3500U uses the FP5 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. The Ryzen 7 5700X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Ryzen 5 3500U) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5700X) — the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Mobile (Ryzen 5 3500U) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 7 5700X).

FeatureRyzen 5 3500URyzen 7 5700X
Socket
FP5
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
128 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
12
24+100%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 5700X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The Ryzen 5 3500U includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 8), while the Ryzen 7 5700X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3500U targets Budget, Ryzen 7 5700X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3500U rivals Core i5-10210U; Ryzen 7 5700X rivals Core i7-11700K.

FeatureRyzen 5 3500URyzen 7 5700X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Radeon Vega 8
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
AMD-V
Target Use
Budget
Gaming