AMD Ryzen 5 2600X Review
With the Ryzen 5 2600X ($229), AMD offers a mild performance step down from its flagship mainstream Ryzen 7 2700X ($329) processor, but at a rather significant 30 percent cut in price. The trade-off is that you're down to six cores and 12 threads versus the pricier chip's eight cores and 16 threads. You also sacrifice 100MHz on the base clock (3.6GHz) and maximum boost clock (4.2GHz). On a positive note, however, this processor sheds 10 watts from the TDP, so it'll consume less power both at idle and when you're pushing it hard. On the whole, this is a superb-value package for budget-minded power seekers such as gamers, streamers, and content creators who just want to run at stock speeds. If you simply want to slap on a stock cooler, install a video card, and get your DIY rig running and crunching, this CPU is one of the best midrange options out there.
Cost-Effective Cores (and Cooling)
AMD is continuing to sell the Ryzen 5 1600X, the first-generation variant of this chip, tho...
For PC builders or upgraders seeking a moderate-price CPU for multitasking, playing games, and running common consumer applications, AMD's Ryzen 5 2600X offers superb bang for the buck.
Plenty of cores and threads for modern multi-threaded apps; Handles multi-tasking like a champ; Inexpensive alternative to AMD's flagship Ryzen 7 processors; Unlocked multiplier will make overclockers happy
Single-threaded workload performance lags a little behind Intel's similar-class processors; No integrated GPU