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Is the 5600G good for gaming?

Is the 5600G still good for gaming? let's find out.

Updated: Dec 7, 2022 1:59 pm
Is the 5600G good for gaming?

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AMD released the Ryzen 5 5600G as a late addition to the Ryzen 5000 series of desktop CPUs in April of 2021. The Ryzen 5 5600G was meant to bolster the competitive “Cezanne” lineup of APUs based on the Zen 3 architecture. But is the 5600G good for gaming?

This mid-range APU offering brought something different to the table and allowed consumers to choose a more price-competitive CPU with integrated graphics, in a time of dire GPU availability. The Ryzen 5 5600G offered similar base specs to the fan-favorite Ryzen 5 5600X, but with the addition of an integrated Vega GPU and a healthy price cut.

At $249, the Ryzen 5 5600G is a very enticing option for value-oriented gamers and general consumers right now. The value is held in it’s cost-effectiveness and it’s ability to pack a punch in games, despite it being just an APU. Let’s explore it a bit more thoroughly.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600G

AMD Ryzen 5 5600G

Speed

3.9GHz – 4.4GHz

Core (threads)

6 (12)

Socket

AM4

Graphics

Vega 7


Ryzen 5 5600G Specs

The Ryzen 5 5600G is quite similar to its namesake Ryzen 5 5600X in terms of specs. However, there are a few key differences that have to be noted. Namely the presence of a built-in GPU, making this an APU.

Even though both the CPUs have 6 cores and 12 threads, the cores found on the APU are slower, as they have a maximum boost clock of 4.4 GHz rather than 4.6 GHz. Moreover, the 5600G only has 16MB of L3 cache as compared to the 32MB found on the 5600X, which can affect latency quite significantly.

Still, despite these differences, the two CPUs look quite similar on the spec sheet.

Ryzen 5 5600G

  • Cores: 6
  • Threads: 12
  • Base clock: 3.9 GHz
  • Boost clock: 4.4GHz
  • Cache: 16MB
  • TDP: 65W
  • iGPU: 7-core Vega @1900MHz

Ryzen 5 5600X

  • Cores: 6
  • Threads: 12
  • Base clock: 3.7 GHz
  • Boost clock: 4.6GHz
  • Cache: 32MB
  • TDP: 65W
  • iGPU: N/A

Although the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is based on the Zen 3 architecture, it does not support PCIe 4.0 officially. Therefore, you will be at a significant disadvantage if you want to install high-speed PCIe 4.0 storage devices in your system. Meaning you should never use an APU with a dedicated GPU of a greater PCIe generation.


Is the 5600G good for gaming?

In a word, YES! The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is a very competitive gaming processor with a relatively affordable price tag. It is not quite at the level of the Ryzen 5 5600X when it comes to pure gaming performance, but it is definitely not far off.

The Ryzen 5 5600G does not produce any significant bottlenecking with any GPU on the market right now. However, you may experience some CPU limitations in CPU-bound scenarios when paired with a premium GPU such as the RTX 3090 Ti or RTX 4090. For the best experience, the Ryzen 5 5600G is best paired with the likes of the RTX 3070 or lower. You may also choose to play at 1440p to further alleviate CPU bottlenecking.

Considering that the Ryzen 5 5600G comes at a lower price point than the 5600X, and has integrated graphics, it is definitely a great choice for value hunters and budget gamers all across the world. It offers a fantastic price-to-performance ratio and an integrated GPU that also gets the job done.

Speaking of the iGPU, the Radeon Graphics component of the APU consists of 7 graphical cores running at 1900 MHz. With the iGPU, you cannot expect to run modern triple-A titles at 1080p, but you can certainly expect some light gaming. 

The Ryzen 5 5600G’s iGPU is particularly well-suited to eSports titles like Rocket League and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. You can expect to get playable framerates at 720p or even 1080p with the iGPU if you are willing to be flexible with the graphical settings a bit.


Best Motherboard Chipset for Ryzen 5 5600G

ASUS ROG STRIX X570-F Gaming Motherboard

X570 F gaming

Form Factor

ATX

Overclocking Support

Yes

Socket

AM4

Chipset

X570

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G supports the existing AM4 chipsets just like the standard Ryzen 5000 series CPUs. The official support includes the X570, B550, A520, X470, and B450 chipsets. However, some motherboard chipsets are better suited for the Ryzen 5 5600G than others depending on the value proposition.

Budget PC builders can look at the price-competitive B550 lineup of motherboards to maximize their value for money. These motherboards are more affordable than X570 options and have all the necessary features for the Ryzen 5 5600G. The B550 chipset also supports PCIe 4.0, but that is not supported by the CPU.

If you’re on a really tight budget, a B450 motherboard can be a great pick as well. Despite being an older platform, B450 supports all of the features of the Ryzen 5 5600G, although these motherboards may require a BIOS update at first.

The best thing about the B550 and B450 chipsets is that you retain the ability to overclock the Ryzen 5 5600G should you see fit.


Final word

AMD’s introduction of the Ryzen 5 5600G APU was definitely a smart move at a time when GPUs were as scarce as hen’s teeth. With the 5600G, you get a very potent gaming processor that can give the Ryzen 5 5600X a run for its money, despite the former being a bit cheaper. 

In addition to that, you also get a respectable integrated GPU that can help you run light games while you are waiting for your new graphics card.


Jack is a Tech and News Writer who has a vast and proficient knowledge of CPUs, Motherboards, and Computer technology.

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