Analysis of the Best Gaming CPU: Ryzen 5 5600
When it comes to gaming CPUs, the high-end AMD processors often steal the spotlight. However, for most people, opting for the most affordable somewhat modern CPU that fits their system is the practical choice. Currently, the Ryzen 5 5600 stands out as a budget-friendly option from the 2020 generation that still supports modern components like PCIe 4.0 SSDs and graphics cards. With prices dropping to as low as £100 in recent months, the Ryzen 5 5600 is an attractive choice for new builds or upgrading existing Ryzen systems. But how does it stack up in terms of performance five years after its release?
To answer this question, I took it upon myself to build a Ryzen 5 5600 system at home and subjected it to a series of performance tests, including synthetic benchmarks and modern game evaluations.
Components Used in the Ryzen 5 5600 System
| Category | Component | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 | The most affordable Ryzen processor worth considering in 2025 and the focus of this article. |
| GPU | Acer RX 7800 XT 16GB OC | Our favorite mid-range GPU, offering strong rasterized performance and ample VRAM for around £450. However, Nvidia rivals provide better RT performance and additional features. |
| RAM | 32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200 CL16 | 3200MT/s CL16 RAM strikes a balance between price and performance for AM4 systems, and this 32GB Corsair kit is both economical and well-regarded. |
| Main Storage | Crucial P310 1TB NVMe SSD | One of Crucial’s latest PCIe 4.0 SSDs with impressive read and write speeds, offering good value for the price. |
| Secondary Storage | WD SN5000 4TB NVMe SSD | A high-capacity drive for storing less frequently accessed files and games that we found to be a solid choice. |
| Case | NZXT H5 Flow (2024) (Black) | Opted for the latest H5 Flow from NZXT due to its sleek design, excellent airflow, and the success of its predecessor. |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte B550 Aorus Elite AX V2 | A well-equipped AM4 motherboard with robust I/O, built-in Wifi 6E and Bluetooth, and support for PCIe 4.0 for GPU and primary SSD. |
| Cooler | Noctua NH-U12S | While it may be considered excessive for the Ryzen 5 5600, the Noctua NH-U12S remains an exceptional cooler that offers powerful airflow while maintaining quiet operation. |
| Fans | Noctua NF-A14 PWM chromax,black.swap & Noctua NF-F12 PWM chromax.black.swap. | These high-performance, quiet case fans can significantly enhance airflow within the system. |
| PSU | NZXT C850 Gold ATX 3.1 (Black) | The 850W power supply provides more than enough power for the current components and allows for future upgrades with support for next-gen parts. |
Now, let’s delve into what makes the Ryzen 5 5600 CPU a smart choice and explore the initial performance tests.
Ryzen 5 5600: how does it hold up in 2025?
- Component selection and justification
- Why we chose the 5600, and synthetic benchmarks
- RT benchmarks: Cyberpunk 2077, Returnal, F1 24, Indiana Jones & The Great Circle, Forza Horizon 5, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Black Myth: Wukong, The Callisto Protocol
- Game benchmarks: Cyberpunk 2077, Returnal, F1 24, Forza Horizon 5, Black Myth: Wukong, The Callisto Protocol, Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6, Dirt Rally 2.0.
- Gaming performance summary: 1080p, 1440p, 4K
- Final thoughts and judgment