AMD's Highest-Performance 6-Core Ryzen 5 Processors Now Available
Today marks the retail availability of AMD's Ryzen 5 line of desktop processors, which includes four models available at a variety of price points.
AMD Ryzen 5 processors deliver high performance to gamers and creators, with up to 87% more performance when comparing the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X to the Intel flagship Core i5 model, the 7600K, according to AMD.
The new chips are featuring great multitasking capabilities, AMD SenseMI Technology, and the new "Zen" core architecture design built on GlobalFoundries 14nm process. They
sit between Ryzen 7, which was launched in March 2017, and Ryzen 3, to be launched in Q2 2017. The
Starting today there are two 6-core and two 4-core AMD Ryzen 5 models available, all featuring AMD simultaneous multithreading (SMT) technology. All AMD Ryzen processors support the new AM4 infrastructure, with motherboard designs already broadly available from top motherboard manufacturers.
The 1600X and 1600 models are two of the highest-performing and lowest power 6-core desktop processors that consumers can buy, with 12 threads. AMD Ryzen 5 1500X and 1400 are designed for performance gaming and processing featuring 4 processor cores with 8 threads for high performance gaming and processing, with AMD SenseMI Technology to analyze and adapt to customer needs. The 1500X features up to 200MHz of XFR (extended frequency range) when used with superior cooling - among the largest extended frequency ranges seen on an AMD Ryzen processor to date. All the Ryzen 5 parts are unlocked.
| Model | Cores | Threads | Base Clock | Boost Clock | XFR Clock | Include Cooler | TDP (Watts) |
Price Sep | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen 5 | 1600X | 6 | 12 | 3.6 GHz | 4.0 GHz | 4.1 GHz |
N/A | 95 | $249 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 | 1600 | 6 | 12 | 3.2 GHz | 3.6 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
Wraith Spire | 65 | $219 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 | 1500X | 4 | 8 | 3.5 GHz | 3.7 GHz | 3.9 GHz |
Wraith Spire | 65 | $189 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 | 1400 | 4 | 8 | 3.2 GHz | 3.4 GHz | 3.45 GHz |
Wraith Stealth | 65 | $169 |
AMD is going to offer some of these SKUs with their redesigned Wraith coolers, except the 1600X.
It is worth noting that the Wraith Spire for Ryzen 5 will not have RGB lighting, whereas the Wraith Spire for Ryzen 7 does use an RGB ring.
The entry level Wraith Stealth cooler s 65W, the Wraith Spire is 65W for high-ambient conditions, and the Wraith Max is 95W for OEM builds using Ryzen 7 95W parts.
All the Ryzen 5 parts will support DDR4 ECC and non-ECC memory, and the memory support is the same as Ryzen 7, and will depend on how many modules and the types of modules being used.
The high-end Ryzen 5 1600X, at $249, is to compete against Intel's i5-7600K at $242. Intel's CPU is based on the Kaby Lake microarchitecture. AMD won't win much when it comes to single-threaded tests here, but the multi-threaded situation is where AMD shines.
The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X, at $189, sits near Intel's Core i5-7500 at $192. This would be a shootout of a base quad-core in the Core i5 versus a quad-core with hyperthreading.
Availability for all four AMD Ryzen 5 models begins today at etailers around the world. All AMD Ryzen processors support the new AM4 infrastructure, with motherboard designs being produced from ODMs - all built upon the X370, B350 and the A320 chipsets. With the release of AMD Ryzen 5 processors, AMD motherboard partners are also highlighting the A320 chipset-based motherboards, specifically addressing the needs of mainstream PC gaming customers, priced ranging from approximately $50 SEP.
