AMD ryzen 5 5600X
“AMD Ryzen 5 5600X gaming desktop processors feature 6 incredible cores for those who just want to game.”
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The keenest value in the PC space almost always rests with last-generation products privy to merciless price cuts in the face of newer and shinier technology. This is especially true for consumer CPUs because AMD and Intel are rightly keen to get rid of older stock.
This doesn’t mean the venerable CPUs are bad – far from it, actually – and I’d heartily recommend searching out older hardware for the best bang for your buck. A great case in point is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X six-core, 12-thread powerhouse now down to its best-ever price of just £139.99.
Representing a genuine 50% chop from the £279.99 launch RRP back in November 2020, there’s a lot going for this pocket rocket. Based on the capable Zen 3 architecture and presented in the popular AM4 form factor, it makes for an excellent and inexpensive upgrade from, say, a Ryzen 5 2600 or 3600. Of course, your AM4 motherboard might need a BIOS update or two, but AMD’s willingness to stick with the AM4 socket pays clear dividends for early adopters who have stuck with it.
Let’s talk performance. Running along at 3.7GHz base and 4.6GHz boost and backed with 32MB of L3 cache, Ryzen 5 5600X scores over 10,000 marks in Cinebench R23’s multi-core test. Taken as a reasonable proxy of everyday performance, I can tell you it has enough firepower to easily manage common workloads and even make a good fist of heavy-duty stuff like 3D rendering.
Going by Club386 benchmarks, it’s also a decent performer when paired with a sensible discrete graphics card. Certainly fast enough to provide a smooth gaming experience at 1080p and even 1440p.
AMD sweetens this already fabulous deal by including the capable Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. Sure, it might not be as big as the latest Noctua or be quiet! heatsinks, but it doesn’t need to be. Another cool facet – if you excuse the pun – is that Ryzen 5 5600X ships with a commendably low 65W TDP. This deal keeps getting better and better.
Brilliant for both the upgrader and budding enthusiast wanting to build an inexpensive PC from scratch – supporting AM4 motherboards start as low as £60 – you simply can’t get better value, especially if you happen to live in Germany, where this processor is available for an unbelievable €129.99!
Club386 is always on the lookout for unmissable PC component deals. Follow on Twitter or Facebook to stay up to date with the latest discounts, and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to be kept abreast of all the developments in the world of tech.
