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 4600G

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $145 less on MSRP ($154 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 42.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 103.8 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($154 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Vega 7, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 5600X.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (15,985 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.1 vs 103.8 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $154 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 4600G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 4600G.

Ryzen 5 4600G

2020

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $145 less on MSRP ($154 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Delivers 42.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 103.8 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($154 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Vega 7, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 5600X.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (15,985 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 73.1 vs 103.8 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $154 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 4600G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 4600G.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Ryzen 5 4600G?

Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 12.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 36.7% better 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 5 5600X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 12.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 5600X is the better fit. You are getting 36.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 5 5600X is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 4600G makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Ryzen 5 5600X is 94.2% more expensive on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $154 MSRP, and it gives you a 12.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 4600G is also 42.1% better value on MSRP (103.8 vs 73.1 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 5600X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. 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.

Ryzen 5 4600G Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 5600X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 4600G	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	214 FPS	203 FPS
medium	171 FPS	174 FPS
high	136 FPS	140 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	107 FPS
1440p
low	183 FPS	169 FPS
medium	145 FPS	141 FPS
high	113 FPS	113 FPS
ultra	82 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	74 FPS	85 FPS
medium	63 FPS	76 FPS
high	49 FPS	60 FPS
ultra	39 FPS	47 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 4600G Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen 5 4600G	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	308 FPS	464 FPS
medium	263 FPS	387 FPS
high	232 FPS	324 FPS
ultra	199 FPS	291 FPS
1440p
low	268 FPS	397 FPS
medium	234 FPS	334 FPS
high	211 FPS	290 FPS
ultra	180 FPS	253 FPS
4K
low	231 FPS	263 FPS
medium	207 FPS	226 FPS
high	184 FPS	205 FPS
ultra	157 FPS	171 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 4600G Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen 5 4600G	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	400 FPS	546 FPS
medium	400 FPS	473 FPS
high	400 FPS	432 FPS
ultra	400 FPS	358 FPS
1440p
low	400 FPS	508 FPS
medium	400 FPS	413 FPS
high	400 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	372 FPS	312 FPS
4K
low	400 FPS	348 FPS
medium	341 FPS	292 FPS
high	293 FPS	255 FPS
ultra	232 FPS	199 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 4600G Open Ryzen 5 5600X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen 5 4600G	Ryzen 5 5600X
1080p
low	400 FPS	546 FPS
medium	400 FPS	546 FPS
high	400 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	400 FPS	546 FPS
1440p
low	400 FPS	546 FPS
medium	400 FPS	546 FPS
high	400 FPS	546 FPS
ultra	400 FPS	524 FPS
4K
low	400 FPS	529 FPS
medium	400 FPS	484 FPS
high	400 FPS	435 FPS
ultra	338 FPS	379 FPS

Open Ryzen 5 4600G Open Ryzen 5 5600X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 5 4600G and Ryzen 5 5600X

Ryzen 5 4600G

The Ryzen 5 4600G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 July 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Renoir (2020−2023) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 15,985 points. Launch price was $154.

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 5 4600G and Ryzen 5 5600X share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 4600G versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Ryzen 5 4600G uses the Renoir (2020−2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 4600G scores 15,985 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 31% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 4600G vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Ryzen 5 4600G	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.6 GHz+10%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz	3.7 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	32 MB+300%
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	512K (per core)
Process	7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Renoir (2020−2023)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	15,985	21,845+37%
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,348	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,578	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,619	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 24 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: B450,X470,B550,X570,A520 (Ryzen 5 4600G) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	Ryzen 5 4600G	Ryzen 5 5600X
Socket	AM4	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The Ryzen 5 4600G includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 7), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 4600G targets Entry Gaming, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 4600G rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Ryzen 5 4600G	Ryzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon Vega 7	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	AMD-V
Target Use	Entry Gaming	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Ryzen 5 4600G launched at $154 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600X debuted at $299. On MSRP ($154 vs $299), the Ryzen 5 4600G is $145 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 4600G delivers 103.8 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 4600G the 34.8% better value option.