If yous've got some $200 to spend on a new CPU and you want something that can handle any and all tasks y'all throw at information technology with maximum efficiency, the Ryzen v 2600 series is a must-have. But should you buy the Ryzen 5 2600X or the non-X 2600? Not for aught these AMD processors have been our picks for the best all-round value since release and they're also among the best selling CPUs on Amazon.

The Ryzen 5 2600X and 2600 are currently apart by only $25. The 10 model gets the upper hand with amend out of the box performance and a better cooler for $190, while the 2600 comes in at just $165.

TL;DR

Having extensively tested both R5 2600 models, here'south the tale of the record:

  • For most people, the Ryzen five 2600 at $165 is likewise great to refuse, however...
  • At stock the 2600X is ~7% faster and you get a meliorate libation, enough to justify the ~$25 toll difference.
  • If you lot're on a budget or you plan to overclock and get an aftermarket libation anyway, the 2600 is your all-time bet.
  • The 2600 and 2600X are both unlocked CPUs and tin can be overclocked on cheap B350/B450 motherboards.
  • If you don't plan to overclock and want an amazing performer out of the box, the 2600X is a slap-up option.
    ...
  • If you need more cores for workstation tasks only are on a tight budget, the Ryzen seven 2700 sacrifices some single thread operation but gets yous 16 threads. It's dropped in price from $300 to $220 since launch.
  • (Now bachelor) The Ryzen 3600 will get you at least 15% more than operation at the same frequencies. More cores are not a given at this price point, but nosotros're in for a surprise. The vanilla R5 3600 volition likely launch at ~$200-230 making today'southward $165 Ryzen 2600 not a bad bargain at all.

AMD is fix to launch third-generation Ryzen processors in mid-2019. The new processors will be 7nm chips, based on the Zen 2 architecture and will bring performance and efficiency improvements. As we saw before, the Ryzen 3600 serial volition straight supplant the 2600 variants at a similar $200-250 initial price bespeak. Ryzen 3000 volition exist uniform with existing motherboards (yay!), notwithstanding sure features like PCIe four.0 back up will require newer 500-serial based motherboards for obvious reasons.

Ryzen vii 2700X Ryzen seven 2700 Ryzen 5 2600X Ryzen v 2600
MSRP $290 $220 $190 $165
Cores / Threads viii / 16 viii / 16 6 / 12 6 / 12
Base Frequency 3.7 GHz 3.2 GHz 3.6 GHz 3.4 GHz
Heave Frequency 4.3 GHz 4.1 GHz 4.two GHz three.9 GHz
L2 Cache 4MB 4MB 3MB 3MB
L3 Cache 16MB 16MB 16MB 16MB
Retention Config Dual-Channel
Max Mem Support DDR4-2933
TDP 105 W 65 Due west 95 Westward 65 W
Box libation AMD Prism RGB AMD Spire RGB AMD Spire AMD Stealth

Read on for more details and some performance benchmarks...

But like nosotros did a year prior with the outset generation Ryzen processors, they occupied a like $200-250 price range. The R5 1600 came clocked ~10% lower out of the box, merely considering it was an unlocked part, overclocking was an option and pushing past 1600X performance was possible. The 1600 also came stock with the Wraith Stealth cooler, while AMD tried a movement from Intel's playbook and sold the 1600X with no libation at all. In short, the Ryzen 5 1600 (non-X model) was a much better value option.

For the second generation AMD has learned their lesson. Only Intel can get away with bending over enthusiasts and make them excited most having to buy their own cooler, but likewise delid their chip and so the cooler can do its chore.

This fourth dimension around the X-models are more appealing. The Ryzen 5 2600X is currently selling for $190 but for that extra investment you become a bigger and improve box libation, improve out of the box performance thanks to an up to eight% increment in clock speeds and a possible binning process, and lead to amend retentivity support. Equally I see it this fourth dimension around both models brand sense and depending on your wants and needs, there may be justifications for buying either.

Benchmarks

If yous programme on overclocking equally was the case with the start-gen Ryzen CPUs, I feel like the not-X model represents better value. When reviewing the Ryzen 5 2600 I found it overclocked just as well as the X model. Overclocking headroom should be similar with both models and this means any savings can go towards an upgraded cooler.

Both the 2600 and 2600X will require you to upgrade the cooler if you hope to reach 4.ii GHz. For under $xxx the Deepcool Gammaxx 300 is a nice option every bit is the Arctic Freeze 33 eSports One and there are loads more options to choose from.

For ~$200 nosotros'd rather go with the Ryzen five 2600 + Arctic Freeze 33 eSports One combo than a 2600X with the Wraith Spire. Those willing to overclock will be rewarded, at 4.2 GHz the overclocked R5 2600 was up to eight% faster than the 2600X, it was also up to 11% faster than the R5 1600 maxed out at 4 GHz.

If y'all're really on a budget it's possible to push the 2600 to an all-core frequency of 4 GHz using the Wraith Stealth box cooler.

Finally if you lot've never overclocked before I recommend you give information technology a shot, it'south safety and extremely easy with nigh motherboards, only keep the voltage below 1.4v and you'll be fine. There'due south as well loads of overclocking guides on offer and typically you'll be able to find a guide tailored specifically for your motherboard.

Shopping Shortcuts
  • AMD Ryzen 5 2600X on Amazon, Newegg
  • AMD Ryzen 5 2600 on Amazon, Newegg