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CPU_VS_CPU / 2026-09-11

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs AMD Ryzen 5 1600

Which is faster for gaming, by how much, and the resolution past which the difference stops reaching you. Reference: AMD RX 6700 XT, 32 GB of RAM.

SHORT ANSWER

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is 10% faster than the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 on average, but paired with an AMD RX 6700 XT that advantage disappears at 7680x4320 (8K UHD 16:9): past that point the graphics card sets the pace and both processors deliver the same frames.

WHERE IT STOPS MATTERING

Real-world advantage of the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 over the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at each resolution, paired with an AMD RX 6700 XT. A processor can only show its lead while the graphics card keeps up; the more pixels, the more the two converge.

RESOLUTIONAMD Ryzen 5 2600AMD Ryzen 5 1600ADVANTAGE
1280x720 (HD 16:9)7772+9%
1920x10806261+7%
2560x1080 (Ultrawide 21:9)5352+7%
2560x14404645+6%
2560x1600 (WQXGA 16:10)4342+6%
3440x1440 (Ultrawide 21:9)3838+6%
3840x1600 (Ultrawide 21:9)3333+6%
5120x1440 (Super Ultrawide 32:9)2929+6%
3840x21602727+6%
5120x2160 (5K2K Ultrawide 21:9)2222+4%
5120x2880 (5K 16:9)1818+4%
7680x4320 (8K UHD 16:9)1010no difference

FPS shown: average of the AAA titles at high quality, native resolution. The advantage is computed across all eleven profiled games.

DIFFERENCE BY GAME

The average hides a lot of variation: the widest gap is in Counter-Strike 2 (14%) and the narrowest in Red Dead Redemption 2 (6%). If you only play one of them, the average is not your answer.

GAMEAMD Ryzen 5 2600AMD Ryzen 5 1600ADVANTAGE
Counter-Strike 2156137+14%
Valorant245216+13%
League of Legends216192+13%
Fortnite (Perf Mode)117104+13%
Call of Duty: Warzone8476+11%
Apex Legends164152+8%
Cyberpunk 20779891+8%
Alan Wake 27368+7%
Elden Ring6056+7%
Hogwarts Legacy6965+6%
Red Dead Redemption 28782+6%

HOW THIS IS CALCULATED

The per-game frame rates are the ceiling each processor sustains on its own, with no graphics card limiting it. That is the only honest way to compare two CPUs: fixing a specific card would turn the comparison into a review of that card.

Native resolution, no upscaling and no frame generation. Measured model error · Methodology

TEST WITH YOUR OWN BUILD

This page fixes one reference component. Set the resolution and the partner to your own to see your specific case.

All comparisons for AMD Ryzen 5 2600 · AMD Ryzen 5 1600