Intel and AMD share a similar model-naming scheme. The two main families of processors — Core and Ryzen, respectively — use 3, 5, 7, and 9 to differentiate the CPUs. The lower the number, the less capable the processor usually is. A Ryzen 3 processor won't be able to outpace a Ryzen 7, for example. And just like Intel, AMD keeps everything simple by only using a few model numbers, as well as a suffix or few.
All you need to know about AMD Ryzen
AMD's Zen architecture brought an array of new processors to consumers in 2017. Here's what you need to know about this line of Ryzen CPUs, as well as what this all meant for the PC market. Even though we're on Zen 3 and 5000 series CPUs from AMD, there's much to learn about the architecture and how the company managed to hit back at Intel.
Here's a quick breakdown of the different AMD Ryzen processor brackets:
- Ryzen 3 — Up to 4-core processors.
- Ryzen 5 — Up to 6-core processors.
- Ryzen 7 — Up to 8-core processors.
- Ryzen 9 — Up to 16-core processors.
- Threadripper — Up to 64-core processors.
Within each bracket, the processors are named by model number — the higher the model number, the more powerful the CPU. For example, a Ryzen 3 1200 is less powerful than a Ryzen 3 1300X and a Ryzen 5 5600X. An X suffix simply means it's a slightly faster version of that model from the factory. So, the Ryzen 7 1800X is stronger than the Ryzen 7 1800. The differences aren't huge and only represent a slight increase in factory-set clock speeds.
Ryzen CPUs that start with the number two are Zen+ processors (2000 series), released in 2018. Third-generation CPUs (3000 series) using Zen 2 were released in 2019. Zen 3 CPUs (5000 series) arrived in 2020 omitting the Ryzen 3 range of SKUs entirely. Finally, Zen 4 CPUs (7000 series) arrived in 2022.
Those with a G suffix for graphics include Vega video processing, much like most of the Intel CPUs. That means you can run a system without a dedicated video card. The Ryzen 5 2400G is one such CPU. AMD added basic discrete graphics processing to the latest 7000 series of processors without a G suffix, allowing for video output without a GPU.
AMD Ryzen CPUs use socket AM4 or AM5. Generation 1 and 2 Threadrippers use a unique TR4 socket, while gen 3 Threadrippers use TRX4.
Picking the right AMD CPU for your PC
AMD Ryzen 3
Ryzen 3 is designed for budget-friendly PC builds and consumers who don't use their PCs for intensive applications. That said, the processors can have up to four cores, and as such, they aren't slouching. This range of SKUs has been discontinued since the introduction of the AMD Ryzen 5000 series.
The Ryzen 3 3200G is a cracking entry-level CPU from AMD with integrated graphics processing. Not only do you not require an external GPU to get any output to a monitor, but the 3200G is a quad-core CPU with a boost of up to 3.7GHz.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Released | Cores | Threads | Speed | Cache | GPU | TDP | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen 3 3200G | 2019 | 4 | 4 | Up to 4.0GHz | 6MB | Vega 8 | 65W | $100 |
| AMD Ryzen 3 3100 | 2019 | 4 | 8 | Up to 3.9GHz | 18MB | - | 65W | $120 |
| AMD Ryzen 3 2200GE | 2018 | 4 | 4 | Up to 3.6GHz | 6MB | Vega 8 | 65W | $119 |
| AMD Ryzen 3 2200G | 2018 | 4 | 4 | Up to 3.7GHz | 6MB | Vega 8 | 35W | $85 |
| AMD Ryzen 3 1300X | 2017 | 4 | 4 | Up to 3.7GHz | 10MB | - | 65W | $125 |
| AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | 2017 | 4 | 4 | Up to 3.4GHz | 10MB | - | 65W | $68 |
AMD Ryzen 5
Ryzen 5 is where things get interesting for AMD processors. These CPUs are priced aggressively to take on the popular Intel Core i5 family and are incredible for gaming. These processors are a mix of quadcore and hexacore processors, packing more than enough power for video editing and other intense workloads.
The Ryzen 5 7600X is the perfect mid-tier processor for gamers and those who need a capable CPU in general. It's also friendly to those who want to do a little overclocking, so long as your motherboard is also up to the task.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Released | Cores | Threads | Speed | Cache | GPU | TDP | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen 5 7600X | 2022 | 6 | 12 | Up to 5.3GHz | 38MB | Radeon (2 cores) | 105W | $299 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | 2020 | 6 | 12 | Up to 4.6GHz | 34MB | - | 65W | $299 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | 2019 | 6 | 12 | Up to 4.4GHz | 35MB | - | 95W | $205 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | 2019 | 6 | 12 | Up to 4.2GHz | 35MB | - | 65W | $175 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3400G | 2019 | 4 | 8 | Up to 4.2GHz | 6MB | Vega 11 | 65W | $147 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | 2018 | 6 | 12 | Up to 4.2GHz | 19MB | - | 95W | $160 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | 2018 | 6 | 12 | Up to 3.6GHz | 19MB | - | 65W | $140 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 2500X | 2018 | 4 | 8 | Up to 4.2GHz | 19MB | - | 95W | Row 7 - Cell 8 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 2400G | 2018 | 4 | 8 | Up to 3.9GHz | 6MB | Vega 11 | 65W | $126 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 1600X | 2017 | 6 | 12 | Up to 3.9GHz | 19MB | - | 95W | $146 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 1600 | 2017 | 6 | 8 | Up to 3.7GHz | 18MB | - | 65W | $117 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 1500X | 2017 | 4 | 8 | Up to 3.4GHz | 10MB | - | 65W | $138 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 1400 | 2017 | 4 | 8 | Up to 3.4GHz | 10MB | - | 65W | $126 |
AMD Ryzen 7
Much like the Core i7 Intel processors, the Ryzen 7 family may be overkill for most people, but it allows for advanced computing at a somewhat affordable price point. If you happen to have a capable GPU, you may find some benefit in picking up a Ryzen 7 CPU.
For Ryzen 7, the new 7700X is an excellent CPU. Eight cores and 16 threads make easy work of most tasks thrown at the CPU, and it's unlocked for additional headroom should you have adequate cooling.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Released | Cores | Threads | Speed | Cache | GPU | TDP | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen 7 7700X | 2022 | 8 | 16 | Up to 5.4GHz | 40MB | Radeon (2 cores) | 105W | $395 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 5800X | 2020 | 8 | 16 | Up to 4.7GHz | 36MB | - | 65W | $449 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 3800X | 2019 | 8 | 16 | Up to 4.5GHz | 36MB | - | 105W | $299 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 3700X | 2019 | 8 | 16 | Up to 4.4GHz | 36MB | - | 65W | $205 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 2700X | 2018 | 8 | 16 | Up to 4.3GHz | 20MB | - | 105W | $260 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 2700 | 2018 | 8 | 16 | Up to 4.1GHz | 20MB | - | 65W | $200 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 1800X | 2017 | 8 | 16 | Up to 4.0GHz | 20MB | - | 95W | $240 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 1700X | 2017 | 8 | 16 | Up to 3.8GHz | 20MB | - | 95W | $190 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 1700 | 2017 | 8 | 16 | Up to 3.7GHz | 20MB | - | 65W | $220 |
AMD Ryzen 9
The Ryzen 9 family is AMD's latest batch of computing magic, packing in up to 12 cores and 24 threads and are a great middle-ground between the Ryzen 7 and Threadripper.
The Ryzen 9 family of CPUs is a new addition to AMD's desktop processor lineup, offering amazing performance levels with up to 16 cores and 32 threads. Perfect for serious workloads.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Released | Cores | Threads | Speed | Cache | GPU | TDP | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen 7 7950X | 2022 | 16 | 32 | Up to 5.7GHz | 81MB | Radeon (2 cores) | 170W | $799 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 7900X | 2022 | 12 | 24 | Up to 5.6GHz | 80MB | Radeon (2 cores) | 170W | $549 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 5950X | 2020 | 16 | 32 | Up to 4.9GHz | 72MB | - | 105W | $799 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 5900X | 2020 | 12 | 24 | Up to 4.7GHz | 70MB | - | 105W | $549 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 3950X | 2019 | 16 | 32 | Up to 4.7GHz | 72MB | - | 105W | $738 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 3900X | 2019 | 12 | 24 | Up to 4.6GHz | 70MB | - | 105W | $450 |
AMD Ryzen Threadripper
You probably won't need a Threadripper CPU, but it'll be awesome to have one. It's for advanced users only who need to push their systems beyond their limits. I'm talking up to 64 cores and 128 threads.
Ryzen Threadripper is the range-topping family of CPUs from AMD. The 3990X is the king of Threadripper CPUs, rocking a whopping 64 cores and 128 threads.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Released | Cores | Threads | Speed | Cache | GPU | TDP | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen threadripper 3990X | 2019 | 64 | 128 | Up to 4.3GHz | 292MB | - | 280W | $3,900 |
| AMD Ryzen threadripper 3970X | 2019 | 32 | 64 | Up to 4.5GHz | 147MB | - | 280W | $1,960 |
| AMD Ryzen threadripper 3960X | 2019 | 24 | 48 | Up to 4.5GHz | 142MB | - | 280W | $1,450 |
| AMD Ryzen threadripper 2990WX | 2018 | 32 | 64 | Up to 4.2GHz | Row 3 - Cell 5 | - | 250W | $1,540 |
| AMD Ryzen threadripper 2970WX | 2018 | 24 | 48 | Up to 4.2GHz | 40MB | - | 250W | $950 |
| AMD Ryzen threadripper 2950X | 2018 | 16 | 32 | Up to 4.4GHz | 40MB | - | 180W | $687 |
| AMD Ryzen threadripper 2920X | 2018 | 12 | 24 | Up to 4.3GHz | 38MB | - | 180W | $400 |
| AMD Ryzen threadripper 1950X | 2017 | 16 | 32 | Up to 4.0GHz | 40MB | - | 180W | $700 |
| AMD Ryzen threadripper 1920X | 2017 | 12 | 24 | Up to 4.0GHz | 38MB | - | 180W | $620 |
| AMD Ryzen threadripper 1900X | 2017 | 8 | 16 | Up to 4.0GHz | 36MB | - | 180W | $300 |
The best CPUs for your desktop PC
When looking for the best CPU, it's easy to automatically go for the more expensive options expecting a return in performance, and you'd be correct in that assumption. However, the question is whether you need that kind of power and whether you really need to pay that much. See our collection of the best options based on several performance and price points.
Other than that, the rule of thumb is to spend as much as you can, within reason. It's better to purchase a Ryzen 7 instead of a Ryzen 3 and needing to upgrade sooner, which will cost more eventually.
