How Does AMD’s 3600 Compare With Their 1600 AF?
Compare AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 with their Ryzen 5 1600 AF. Which CPU is better for gaming, general apps, and professional tools?
Ryzen 5 3600
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
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Ryzen 5 1600 AF
AMD Ryzen 5 1600
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This article compares AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 with their Ryzen 5 1600 AF desktop CPUs, exploring which is better for the use cases listed below. We compare each CPU’s attributes rather than benchmarks to help you determine which features are most important when selecting a CPU.
- Gaming — the latest graphics-intense games
- General Apps — web browsing, streaming, and office applications
- Professional Tools — 2D and 3D graphics tools, video editors, compilers, and engineering tools
Gaming on the Ryzen 5 3600 vs.
Ryzen 5 1600 AF
Ryzen 5 3600 for Gaming
When using AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 CPU for gaming, you can expect good game performance with either a high-performance CPU cooler or a stock CPU cooler.
Recommended Motherboards for the Ryzen 5 3600:
Best Feature Motherboard
MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI
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Best Value Motherboard
ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi)
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Ryzen 5 1600 AF for Gaming
When using AMD’s Ryzen 5 1600 AF CPU for gaming, you can expect mediocre game performance with either a high-performance CPU cooler or a stock CPU cooler.
Recommended Motherboards for the Ryzen 5 1600 AF:
Best Feature Motherboard
MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI
Check Price on Amazon
Amazon Affiliate Link
Best Value Motherboard
ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi)
Check Price on Amazon
Amazon Affiliate Link
Gaming Considerations
While a good GPU is critical for gaming performance, your CPU will also have a significant impact.
If the CPU is too slow, it can be a bottleneck for your GPU, which can reduce your framerate or cause stuttering. The most important CPU capabilities for gaming are single-core max boost frequency and the number of cores. A high base frequency is also critical for inadequately cooled CPUs.
Depending on the game, the CPU will often handle tasks including scene management, gameplay logic, physics calculations, and asset loading.
Having multiple CPU cores can improve performance with games that utilize them. However, developers cannot split up every task to take advantage of a growing number of cores. Most modern games don’t benefit from having more than 6–8 cores. Game performance will experience diminishing returns as you add more CPU cores.
Cores
3600: The 3600’s 6 cores allow for good performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
1600 AF: The 1600 AF’s 6 cores allow for good performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Learn more about Core Counts below.
Base Frequency
3600: The 3600 has a 3.6 GHz base frequency, which is the speed before boosting. You can reach these base frequencies even without a high-end cooler.
1600 AF: The 1600 AF has a 3.2 GHz base frequency, which is the speed before boosting. You can reach these base frequencies even without a high-end cooler.
Learn more about CPU Clock Speeds below.
Single-Core Boost
3600: With a high-end cooler, the 3600’s 4.2 GHz single-core max boost frequency is excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games. You can maintain these frequencies with a high-end cooler.
1600 AF: With a high-end cooler, the 1600 AF’s 3.6 GHz single-core max boost frequency is good for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
You can maintain these frequencies with a high-end cooler.
Learn more about CPU Clock Speeds below.
Overclocking Support
3600: When using a high-end cooler, the 3600 CPU’s support for overclocking can be excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
1600 AF: When using a high-end cooler, the 1600 AF CPU’s support for overclocking can be excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Learn more about Overclocking below.
DDR Support
3600: The 3600 CPU’s support for DDR4 with a max stock speed of 3200 MHz can be good for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
1600 AF: The 1600 AF CPU’s support for DDR4 with a max stock speed of 2667 MHz can be mediocre for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Learn more about DDR Support below.
PCIe
3600: The 3600 CPU’s support for PCIe 4.0 can be excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games, when using the fastest SSDs and graphics cards.
1600 AF: The 1600 AF CPU’s support for PCIe 3.0 can be poor for performance with the latest graphics-intense games, as it will limit the potential of the latest SSDs and graphics cards.
L3 Cache
3600: The 3600’s impressive 32 MB of L3 cache is excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
1600 AF: The 1600 AF’s 16 MB of L3 cache is mediocre for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Learn more about Cache Sizes below.
General Apps on the Ryzen 5 3600 vs. Ryzen 5 1600 AF
Ryzen 5 3600
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
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Ryzen 5 1600 AF
AMD Ryzen 5 1600
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Ryzen 5 3600 for General Apps
When using AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 CPU for general apps, you can expect good app performance with either a high-performance CPU cooler or a stock CPU cooler.
Ryzen 5 1600 AF for General Apps
When using AMD’s Ryzen 5 1600 AF CPU for general apps, you can expect good app performance with either a high-performance CPU cooler or a stock CPU cooler.
General App Considerations
If you’re only planning to stream shows, use office apps, or browse the internet, you won’t need a top-end CPU to get good performance. The most important CPU capability for general app usage is the single-core max boost frequency. A high base frequency is also helpful for inadequately cooled CPUs.
Browsers depend on your CPU to quickly load pages and video content and manage multiple browser tabs. Higher single-core boost frequencies can speed up page load times.
Office and web applications are typically single-threaded, so running a single application won’t take advantage of a many-core CPU.
The more cores a CPU has, the more applications you can run simultaneously without noticing a performance impact.
Office and web applications rarely max out the CPU for long periods. These applications can use boost speeds when a burst of processing power is needed, returning to the more efficient base frequencies afterward.
Cores
3600: The 3600’s 6 cores allow for excellent performance with modern apps.
1600 AF: The 1600 AF’s 6 cores allow for excellent performance with modern apps.
Learn more about Core Counts below.
Single-Core Boost
3600: With a high-end cooler, the 3600’s 4.2 GHz single-core max boost frequency is excellent for performance with modern apps. You can maintain these frequencies with a high-end cooler.
1600 AF: With a high-end cooler, the 1600 AF’s 3.6 GHz single-core max boost frequency is excellent for performance with modern apps. You can maintain these frequencies with a high-end cooler.
Learn more about CPU Clock Speeds below.
DDR Support
3600: The 3600 CPU’s support for DDR4 with a max stock speed of 3200 MHz can be good for performance with modern apps.
1600 AF: The 1600 AF CPU’s support for DDR4 with a max stock speed of 2667 MHz can be mediocre for performance with modern apps.
Learn more about DDR Support below.
Professional Tools on the Ryzen 5 3600 vs. Ryzen 5 1600 AF
Ryzen 5 3600
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
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Ryzen 5 1600 AF
AMD Ryzen 5 1600
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Ryzen 5 3600 for Professional Tools
When using AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 CPU for professional tools, you can expect good tool performance with either a high-performance CPU cooler or a stock CPU cooler.
Ryzen 5 1600 AF for Professional Tools
When using AMD’s Ryzen 5 1600 AF CPU for professional tools, you can expect mediocre tool performance with either a high-performance CPU cooler or a stock CPU cooler.
Professional Tool Considerations
Video editors, 2D and 3D graphics tools, software compilers, and engineering tools require high-performing CPUs.
Professional tools are often well optimized to use many cores. CPU cores allow tools to parallelize processing tasks. Increasing the number of cores can divide the time required to process a task if the tool has good multi-threading support.
To maximize performance with professional tools, you’ll want to use a CPU with a high boost frequency and many CPU cores. Good heat dissipation is needed to maintain boost frequencies for extended periods.
While graphics applications use your GPU for some rendering tasks, most calculations and data operations are still dependent on your CPU.
Cores
3600: The 3600’s 6 cores allow for good performance with professional tools.
1600 AF: The 1600 AF’s 6 cores allow for good performance with professional tools.
Learn more about Core Counts below.
Base Frequency
3600: The 3600 has a 3.6 GHz base frequency, which is the speed before boosting. You can reach these base frequencies even without a high-end cooler.
1600 AF: The 1600 AF has a 3.2 GHz base frequency, which is the speed before boosting. You can reach these base frequencies even without a high-end cooler.
Learn more about CPU Clock Speeds below.
Single-Core Boost
3600: With a high-end cooler, the 3600’s 4.2 GHz single-core max boost frequency is excellent for performance with professional tools.
You can maintain these frequencies with a high-end cooler.
1600 AF: With a high-end cooler, the 1600 AF’s 3.6 GHz single-core max boost frequency is good for performance with professional tools. You can maintain these frequencies with a high-end cooler.
Learn more about CPU Clock Speeds below.
Overclocking Support
3600: When using a high-end cooler, the 3600 CPU’s support for overclocking can be excellent for performance with professional tools.
1600 AF: When using a high-end cooler, the 1600 AF CPU’s support for overclocking can be excellent for performance with professional tools.
Learn more about Overclocking below.
DDR Support
3600: The 3600 CPU’s support for DDR4 with a max stock speed of 3200 MHz can be good for performance with professional tools.
1600 AF: The 1600 AF CPU’s support for DDR4 with a max stock speed of 2667 MHz can be mediocre for performance with professional tools.
Learn more about DDR Support below.
PCIe
3600: The 3600 CPU’s support for PCIe 4.0 can be excellent for performance with professional tools, when using the fastest SSDs and graphics cards.
1600 AF: The 1600 AF CPU’s support for PCIe 3.0 can be poor for performance with professional tools, as it will limit the potential of the latest SSDs and graphics cards.
L3 Cache
3600: The 3600’s impressive 32 MB of L3 cache is excellent for performance with professional tools.
1600 AF: The 1600 AF’s 16 MB of L3 cache is mediocre for performance with professional tools.
Learn more about Cache Sizes below.
Best Value Motherboard
- Our recommended value motherboard to pair with the Ryzen 5 3600:
ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi)
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- High-quality components
- PCIe 4.
0 support - One Gb Ethernet port is faster than most Internet speeds
- Two NVMe M.2 slots both run at PCIe 4.0 speeds
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi provides the convenience of connecting to a Wi-Fi router
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 offers 10 Gbps USB speeds
- Check the latest price of the ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi) Motherboard on Amazon (affiliate link).
Best Feature Motherboard
- Our recommended feature-rich motherboard to pair with the Ryzen 5 3600:
MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI
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Amazon Affiliate Link
- PCIe 4.0 support
- One 2.5 Gb Ethernet port is faster than most Internet speeds, with room to spare for file transfers
- Two NVMe M.2 slots both run at PCIe 4.0 speeds
- Wi-Fi 6 provides great Wi-Fi speeds (not Wi-Fi 6E, but still really good)
- USB 3.
2 Gen 2 offers 10 Gbps USB speeds - Check the latest price of the MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI Motherboard on Amazon (affiliate link).
Best Value Motherboard
- Our recommended value motherboard to pair with the Ryzen 5 3600:
ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi)
Check Price on Amazon
Amazon Affiliate Link
- High-quality components
- PCIe 4.0 support
- One Gb Ethernet port is faster than most Internet speeds
- Two NVMe M.2 slots both run at PCIe 4.0 speeds
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi provides the convenience of connecting to a Wi-Fi router
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 offers 10 Gbps USB speeds
- Check the latest price of the ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi) Motherboard on Amazon (affiliate link).
Best Feature Motherboard
- Our recommended feature-rich motherboard to pair with the Ryzen 5 3600:
MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI
Check Price on Amazon
Amazon Affiliate Link
- PCIe 4.
0 support - One 2.5 Gb Ethernet port is faster than most Internet speeds, with room to spare for file transfers
- Two NVMe M.2 slots both run at PCIe 4.0 speeds
- Wi-Fi 6 provides great Wi-Fi speeds (not Wi-Fi 6E, but still really good)
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 offers 10 Gbps USB speeds
- Check the latest price of the MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI Motherboard on Amazon (affiliate link).
- PCIe 4.
Considerations When Choosing a CPU
Core Count
AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 CPUs have 6 cores.
AMD’s Ryzen 5 1600 AF CPUs have 6 cores.
Increased core counts can improve the performance of games and professional tools that use them. Most modern games don’t benefit from having more than 6–8 cores. Even general apps can benefit from many cores when numerous applications are open simultaneously. Web browsers don’t significantly take advantage of multiple cores when loading a single page.
However, more CPU cores can improve performance when running demanding web apps in multiple windows.
CPU Clock Speeds
The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has a 3.6 GHz base frequency and supports a 4.2 GHz single-core max boost frequency.
The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF has a 3.2 GHz base frequency and supports a 3.6 GHz single-core max boost frequency.
Single-core performance is essential for some games, as many don’t take full advantage of multiple cores. Professional tools depend on high single and multi-core boost frequencies to maximize their processing speed.
Boost frequencies are only achieved under ideal circumstances. The safest strategy for consistent gaming performance with a basic cooler is to get a processor with a higher base clock speed. However, with adequate cooling, you may be able to maintain speeds near the max boost frequency.
Check out my article, Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600, for recommended coolers that can maintain these boost frequencies on the 3600.
Check out my article, Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for AMD’s Ryzen 5 1600 AF, for recommended coolers that can maintain these boost frequencies on the 1600 AF.
DDR Support
The 3600 CPU’s fastest supported DDR memory type is DDR4, with a max stock speed of 3200 MHz.
The 1600 AF CPU’s fastest supported DDR memory type is DDR4, with a max stock speed of 2667 MHz.
You can exceed these stock speeds officially supported by CPUs when overclocking memory, such as with an XMP profile. Motherboard specifications will indicate their supported overclocked-memory speeds. To be able to overclock DDR memory, your motherboard chipset needs to support memory overclocking.
Faster PC memory can improve game and professional tool performance by reducing the time it takes to perform calculations and data operations.
Using the quickest RAM may not have as much of an impact as upgrading your CPU and graphics card or adding more RAM.
Learn about our recommended RAM for the 3600 in Choosing the Best RAM for AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 CPU.
Learn about our recommended RAM for the 1600 AF in Choosing the Best RAM for AMD’s Ryzen 5 1600 AF CPU.
Cache Size
The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has an L3 cache capacity of 32 MB.
The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF has an L3 cache capacity of 16 MB.
A CPU’s cache is a small amount of memory, close to the CPU cores, containing recently used data. An L3 cache capacity of at least 20 MB is ideal for games and professional tool performance.
Games and professional tool performance can improve as cache size increases, as it can reduce delays when retrieving commonly used assets from memory. While nearly any task will use a CPU’s cache, a large cache becomes less impactful for general PC usage, such as browsing webpages.
Remember that cache sizes often increase with core counts, so if you want to increase your L3 cache, you may need to get a CPU with more cores.
Overclocking
The 3600 supports overclocking.
The 1600 AF supports overclocking.
Overclocking is mainly relevant for PC gamers who want to maximize their game framerates. CPU overclocking increases frequencies past their default limits. Excellent heat dissipation via fans or another solution is required to maintain system stability while overclocking.
Professional tools can benefit from overclocked frequencies. However, overclocking may introduce some possibility of system instability, which may be less acceptable in business scenarios.
Best Liquid Cooler
CORSAIR iCUE h250i ELITE LCD Liquid CPU Cooler
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Best Air Cooler
Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler
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Learn More About the AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- Which Chipsets Work With AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 CPU?
- Choosing the Best Power Supply for AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 CPU
- Choosing the Best Motherboard for AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600
- Is the Ryzen 5 3600 CPU Good for Gaming?
- Choosing the Best RAM for AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 CPU
- Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600
- What Is the TDP of the Ryzen 5 3600 CPU?
- How Many Cores Do AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPUs Have?
Learn More About the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF
- Which Chipsets Work With AMD’s Ryzen 5 1600 AF CPU?
- Choosing the Best Power Supply for AMD’s Ryzen 5 1600 AF CPU
- Choosing the Best Motherboard for AMD’s Ryzen 5 1600 AF
- Is the Ryzen 5 1600 AF CPU Good for Gaming?
- Choosing the Best RAM for AMD’s Ryzen 5 1600 AF CPU
- Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for AMD’s Ryzen 5 1600 AF
- What Is the TDP of the Ryzen 5 1600 AF CPU?
- How Many Cores Do AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF CPUs Have?
AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600
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AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Comparison of the technical characteristics between the processors, with the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF on one side and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 on the other side.
The first is dedicated to the desktop sector, It has 6 cores, 12 threads, a maximum frequency of 3,6GHz. The second is used on the desktop segment, it has a total of 6 cores, 12 threads, its turbo frequency is set to 4,2 GHz. The following table also compares the lithography, the number of transistors (if indicated), the amount of cache memory, the maximum RAM memory capacity, the type of memory accepted, the release date, the maximum number of PCIe lanes, the values obtained in Geekbench 4 and Cinebench R15.
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Specifications:
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | ||||||
| Market (main) | Desktop | Desktop | ||||||
| ISA | x86-64 (64 bit) | x86-64 (64 bit) | ||||||
| Microarchitecture | Zen+ | Zen 2 | ||||||
| Core name | Pinnacle Ridge | Matisse | ||||||
| Family | Ryzen 5 1000 | Ryzen 5 3000 | ||||||
| Part number(s), S-Spec | YD1600BBAFBOX | 100-000000031, 100-000000031BOX |
||||||
| Release date | Q1 2020 | Q3 2019 | ||||||
| Lithography | 12 nm | 7 nm FinFET | ||||||
| Transistors | — | 4. 800.000.000 |
||||||
| Cores | 6 | 6 | ||||||
| Threads | 12 | 12 | ||||||
| Base frequency | 3,2 GHz | 3,6 GHz | ||||||
| Turbo frequency | 3,6 GHz | 4,2 GHz | ||||||
| Cache memory | 16 MB | 32 MB | ||||||
| Max memory capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB | ||||||
| Memory types | DDR4-2667 | DDR4-3200 | ||||||
| Max # of memory channels | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Max memory bandwidth | 39,74 GB/s | 47,68 GB/s | ||||||
| Max PCIe lanes | 20 | 20 | ||||||
| TDP | 65 W | 65 W | ||||||
| Suggested PSU | 600W ATX Power Supply | 600W ATX Power Supply | ||||||
| GPU integrated graphics | None | None | ||||||
| Socket | AM4, PGA-1331 | AM4 | ||||||
| Compatible motherboard | Socket AM4 Motherboard | Socket AM4 Motherboard | ||||||
| Maximum temperature | 95°C | 95°C | ||||||
| CPU-Z single thread | 445 | 509 | ||||||
| CPU-Z multi thread | 3. 689 |
4.039 | ||||||
| Cinebench R15 single thread | 154 | 195 | ||||||
| Cinebench R15 multi-thread | 1.245 | 1.564 | ||||||
| Cinebench R23 single thread | 915 | 1.215 | ||||||
| Cinebench R23 multi-thread | 6.603 | 9.109 | ||||||
| PassMark single thread | 2.088 | 2.570 | ||||||
| PassMark CPU Mark | 12.346 | 17.842 | ||||||
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We can better compare what are the technical differences between the two processors.
Suggested PSU: We assume that we have An ATX computer case, a high end graphics card, 16GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, a 1TB HDD hard drive, a Blu-Ray drive. We will have to rely on a more powerful power supply if we want to have several graphics cards, several monitors, more memory, etc.
Price: For technical reasons, we cannot currently display a price less than 24 hours, or a real-time price. This is why we prefer for the moment not to show a price. You should refer to the respective online stores for the latest price, as well as availability.
We see that the two processors have an equivalent number of cores, the turbo frequency of AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is bigger, that their respective TDP are of the same order. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF was designed earlier.
Performances :
Performance comparison between the two processors, for this we consider the results generated on benchmark software such as Geekbench 4.
| CPU-Z — Multi-thread & single thread score | |
|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
509 4.039 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF |
445 3.689 |
In single core, the difference is 14%. In multi-core, the difference in terms of gap is 9%.
Note: Commissions may be earned from the links above. These scores are only an
average of the performances got with these processors, you may get different results.
CPU-Z is a system information software that provides the name of the processor, its model number, the codename, the cache levels, the package, the process. It can also gives data about the mainboard, the memory. It makes real time measurement, with finally a benchmark for the single thread, as well as for the multi thread.
| Cinebench R15 — Multi-thread & single thread score | |
|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
195 1.  564 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF |
154 1.245 |
In single core, the difference is 27%. In multi-core, the difference in terms of gap is 26%.
Note: Commissions may be earned from the links above. These scores are only an
average of the performances got with these processors, you may get different results.
Cinebench R15 evaluates the performance of CPU calculations by restoring a photorealistic 3D scene. The scene has 2,000 objects, 300,000 polygons, uses sharp and fuzzy reflections, bright areas, shadows, procedural shaders, antialiasing, and so on. The faster the rendering of the scene is created, the more powerful the PC is, with a high number of points.
| Cinebench R23 — Multi-thread & single thread score | |
|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
1.  2159.109 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AF |
915 6.603 |
In single core, the difference is 33%. In multi-core, the difference in terms of gap is 38%.
Note: Commissions may be earned from the links above. These scores are only an
average of the performances got with these processors, you may get different results.
Cinebench R23 is cross-platform testing software that allows you to assess the hardware capabilities of a device such as a computer, tablet, server. This version of Cinebench takes into account recent developments in processors with multiple cores and the latest improvements in rendering techniques. The evaluation is ultimately even more relevant. The test scene contains no less than 2,000 objects and more than 300,000 polygons in total.
| PassMark — CPU Mark & single thread | |
|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
2. 
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