AMD Phenom X6 vs AMD FX vs AMD Ryzen R5: Gaming Performance Comparison

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• testing and Setup
• Cinebench R20 Results
• Power Consumption Analysis
• Memory Performance Comparison
• Video Transcoding Performance
• Gaming Performance
  • The Elder Scrolls Online
  • The Witcher 3
  • Tom Clancy's The Division 2
  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider
• Conclusion
• Highlights
• FAQ

Introduction

📗 The world of CPUs keeps evolving, and in this article, we will be exploring and testing five different six-core AMD CPUs. Our focus will be on gaming performance at both 1080p and 1440p resolutions. We will examine their power consumption, memory performance, video transcoding capabilities, and overall gaming prowess. By comparing these CPUs, we aim to provide you with insights into which one offers the best value for your money. So, let's dive right in and see how these CPUs stack up against each other.

Testing and Setup

📗 Before we delve into the results, let's discuss the testing methodology and equipment used for this analysis. We utilized five CPUs for testing:

• Phenom 2 X6 1090T
• FX 6300
• Ryzen 5 1600
• Ryzen 5 2600
• Ryzen 5 3600

To ensure consistency during the testing process, we paired each CPU with a Gigabyte Aorus 2070 Super Gaming OC graphics card. For our Ryzen CPUs, we used an MSI B450M Gaming Plus motherboard, while for the Phenom and FX CPUs, we utilized a Gigabyte 990X motherboard.

To improve cooling efficiency, we used the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition cooler for all CPUs. With our setup ready, let's proceed to analyze the results of our testing.

Cinebench R20 Results

📗 One of the benchmarking tools we used to assess CPU performance was Cinebench R20. This benchmark provides insights into both single-core and multi-threaded performance. Here is a breakdown of the scores obtained:

• Phenom 2 X6 1090T: Single-core score of 219 points and multi-threaded score of 1281 points.
• FX 6300: Single-core score of 181 points and multi-threaded score of 1122 points.
• Ryzen 5 1600: Single-core score of 360 points and multi-threaded score of 2494 points.
• Ryzen 5 2600: Single-core score of 378 points and multi-threaded score of 2444 points.
• Ryzen 5 3600: Single-core score of 388 points and multi-threaded score of 3031 points.

From these results, it is clear that the newer Ryzen CPUs significantly outperform the older Phenom and FX processors. The Ryzen 5 3600 emerges as the top performer, showcasing its superior single-core and multi-threaded capabilities.

Power Consumption Analysis

📗 Power consumption is an essential factor to consider when evaluating CPUs, as it impacts both energy efficiency and system cooling requirements. We measured the power draw of each CPU while running Cinebench R20. Here are the results:

• Ryzen 5 1600: 115 watts
• Ryzen 5 2600: 118 watts
• Ryzen 5 3600: 124 watts

Comparing these numbers, we can see that the power consumption increases slightly with each generation. However, the differences are not significant enough to warrant concern.

Memory Performance Comparison

📗 Memory performance is another critical aspect to examine, as it directly affects overall system speed and responsiveness. In our tests, we evaluated read speeds and latency. Here is a summary of our findings:

• Read Speeds: The newer DDR4-based Ryzen CPUs showcased faster read speeds compared to the older DDR3-based Phenom and FX CPUs. The Ryzen CPUs achieved read speeds of around 46000 megabytes per Second, while the older CPUs lagged behind.
• Latency: Surprisingly, the older AMD CPUs demonstrated lower memory latency compared to the Ryzen CPUs. However, this did not have a significant impact on overall performance.

Based on these results, it is evident that the newer Ryzen CPUs excel in memory performance, thanks to their DDR4 support.

Video Transcoding Performance

📗 Video transcoding is a resource-intensive task that requires substantial CPU power. To evaluate the transcoding capabilities of our tested CPUs, we used the Handbrake software with the 1080p 30 fast preset. Here are the average frame rate results:

• Phenom 2 X6 1090T: 25.3 frames per second
• FX 6300: 25.2 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 1600: 51.3 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 2600: 59.2 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 3600: 63.8 frames per second

From these results, we can observe that the newer Ryzen CPUs significantly outperform the older Phenom and FX processors. The Ryzen 5 3600 emerges as the top performer in this category.

Gaming Performance

The Elder Scrolls Online

🏆 When it comes to gaming, single-core performance plays a crucial role in achieving smooth gameplay. We tested the CPUs' gaming capabilities using The Elder Scrolls Online. Here are the average frame rates achieved:

• Phenom 2 X6 1090T: 47.3 frames per second
• FX 6300: 41.6 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 1600: 56 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 2600: 64.2 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 3600: 79.5 frames per second

It is evident that the newer Ryzen CPUs deliver significantly better gaming performance compared to the older Phenom and FX CPUs. The Ryzen 5 3600 emerges as the top performer in this Game, offering a smooth gaming experience.

The Witcher 3

🏆 Another popular game that we tested is The Witcher 3. Here are the average frame rates achieved:

• Phenom 2 X6 1090T: 58.5 frames per second
• FX 6300: 67 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 1600: 99.8 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 2600: 102.4 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 3600: 112.4 frames per second

Once again, the newer Ryzen CPUs outshine the older Phenom and FX processors. The Ryzen 5 3600 proves to be the best performer, providing a smooth gaming experience with high frame rates.

Tom Clancy's The Division 2

🏆 Moving on to Tom Clancy's The Division 2, we tested the CPUs' gaming performance in this demanding game. Here are the average frame rates achieved:

• Phenom 2 X6 1090T: 26.7 frames per second
• FX 6300: 30.8 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 1600: 51 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 2600: 63.8 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 3600: 78.8 frames per second

Once again, the newer Ryzen CPUs outperform the older Phenom and FX processors by a significant margin. The Ryzen 5 3600 delivers exceptional gaming performance, ensuring a smooth and immersive gaming experience.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

🏆 Lastly, we tested the CPUs' gaming performance in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Here are the average frame rates achieved:

• Phenom 2 X6 1090T: 58.4 frames per second
• FX 6300: 66.7 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 1600: 99.8 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 2600: 103.8 frames per second
• Ryzen 5 3600: 112.4 frames per second

Once again, the Ryzen CPUs outshine the older Phenom and FX processors in terms of gaming performance. Among the Ryzen CPUs, the Ryzen 5 3600 proves to be the best performer, delivering smooth gameplay and high frame rates.

Conclusion

📗 After thoroughly testing and analyzing five different AMD CPUs, we can conclude that the newer Ryzen CPUs offer significant improvements in performance compared to the older Phenom and FX processors. The Ryzen 5 3600 stands out as the top performer in gaming, delivering exceptional frame rates and smooth gameplay. However, it is essential to consider your budget and requirements when choosing a CPU. The Ryzen 5 2600 offers excellent value for money, providing a balance between performance and affordability. Ultimately, the choice depends on individual needs and preferences.

Highlights

• The Ryzen 5 3600 emerges as the top performer in gaming, delivering exceptional frame rates and smooth gameplay.
• The newer Ryzen CPUs significantly outperform the older Phenom and FX processors in all tested categories.
• For budget-conscious consumers, the Ryzen 5 2600 offers a favorable balance between performance and affordability.
• Memory performance on the Ryzen CPUs is superior, thanks to the support for DDR4 memory.
• The power consumption of the tested CPUs remains within reasonable limits, with minimal variations between generations.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is the best for gaming?

A: The Ryzen 5 3600 stands out as the top performer in gaming, offering exceptional frame rates and smooth gameplay.

Q: What is the most affordable CPU option?

A: The Ryzen 5 2600 provides an excellent balance between performance and affordability, making it a cost-effective option for budget-conscious consumers.

Q: Are there any significant differences in power consumption between these CPUs?

A: The power consumption variations between the tested CPUs are minimal, indicating that all CPUs have reasonable power efficiency.

Q: Will upgrading from an older Phenom or FX CPU to a Ryzen CPU significantly improve gaming performance?

A: Yes, upgrading to a newer Ryzen CPU will result in a noticeable improvement in gaming performance due to the significant architectural advancements and higher clock speeds.

Q: Is DDR4 memory a significant factor in overall system performance?

A: DDR4 memory offers superior performance compared to DDR3 memory, especially in tasks that heavily rely on memory bandwidth, such as gaming and video editing. Therefore, opting for DDR4 memory is recommended for optimal performance.

Resources:

• Cinebench R20
• Handbrake