AMD Ryzen 5 2600

Desktop CPUAMD

Also called amd ryzen 5 2600, ryzen 5 2600, yd2600bbm6iaf, ryzen-5-2600

AMDDesktop CPUZen+

AMD Ryzen 5 desktop processor on Zen+, with 6 cores and 12 threads and 512 KB L2, 16 MB L3 at 65 W TDP on a 12 nm process addressing up to 64 GB and no integrated graphics.

What you need to know

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is a legacy desktop cpu.

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 launched in April 19, 2018., It has 6 cores and 12 threads on Zen+, dropping into the AM4 socket. Treat the spec table as the facts. Age alone does not tell you to throw it out.

Still good?: Only if the workload is light
Product age: 8 years old
Upgrade pressure: Moderate

Feex says

This SKU has no picture of its own. If the machine has no discrete GPU, a black screen after install is expected, not a dead CPU.

What this hardware means today

Age and usefulness are not the same number. This page keeps them separate.

Performance today: Average. Average for the class when RAM, storage, and the GPU keep up.
Product age 8 years old: Legacy. Launched April 19, 2018. Newer platforms exist. That does not make this chip unusable by itself.
Support status: Supported. Current Windows and current applications still run on this class of CPU. Platform BIOS support depends on the motherboard or laptop vendor.
Upgrade pressure: Moderate. Upgrade pressure comes from platform features and specific CPU-bound work, not from the chip being unusable.

Where does it sit?

Zen+ sits on AMD's recent Zen desktop and laptop timeline. Later chips keep the brand and change the core.

Zen 2

Zen 3

Zen 4

Zen 5

Performance context

These are qualitative readings, not a fake 8.7 out of 10. Workload still wins.

Gaming: Good

Playable in lighter titles. A weak GPU will hide whatever this chip still has.

Productivity: Average

6 cores cover office, browser, and compile work in this class.

Multithreaded workloads: Good

12 threads. Heavy encodes still scale further on higher-core parts.

General use: Good

Everyday Windows use is not where most people notice this SKU first.

Efficiency: Good

Rated 65 W base power. That is a platform number, not a promise about your cooler.

Should you upgrade?

Probably not based on CPU performance alone.

Upgrade makes more sense if

Your workload is strongly CPU limited
You need a newer platform for memory, I/O, or chipset features
You need substantially more multicore performance
You need newer connectivity that your current board cannot offer

Upgrade makes less sense if

The GPU is the real bottleneck
Current applications are already responsive
The CPU rarely limits your workload

Specifications

Figures below follow the Feex Hardware Database record for this SKU. Fields without a recorded value are omitted.

Processor

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is built on Zen+ using a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries.

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 specifications: Processor
Manufacturer	AMD
Family	Ryzen 5
Architecture	Zen+
Codename	Zen
Generation	Ryzen 5 (Zen+ (Pinnacle Ridge))
Manufacturing process	12 nm
Foundry	GlobalFoundries
Transistors	4,800 million
Die size	213 mm²
Die count	1
Segment	Desktop

Cores and threads

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 specifications: Cores and threads
Cores	6
P-cores	6
Threads	12
Threads per core	2
Hybrid architecture	No

Clock speeds

Base clock is 3.4 GHz. Boost reaches 3.9 GHz.

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 specifications: Clock speeds
Base frequency	3.4 GHz
Max boost	3.9 GHz

Cache

Cache on this sheet is 16 MB L3.

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 specifications: Cache
L2 cache	512 KB
L3 cache	16 MB
Total cache	16.5 MB

Memory

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 addresses 64 GB across 2 memory channels.

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 specifications: Memory
Max capacity	64 GB
Channels	2

Package and power

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 uses the AM4 socket and a 65 W TDP.

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 specifications: Package and power
Socket	AM4
TDP	65 W
PCIe	Revision 3.0, 20 lanes

Integrated graphics

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 does not include integrated graphics.

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 specifications: Integrated graphics
Integrated graphics	None

Market

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 launched April 19, 2018 at USD 199 (suggested price at launch).

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 specifications: Market
Launch date	April 19, 2018
Launch MSRP	USD 199 (suggested price at launch)
Model	YD2600BBM6IAF

Features

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 records 34 instruction sets on this sheet.

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 specifications: Features
Instruction sets	AES-NIAVX2AVXFMAFMA3SHA64-bit (x86-64)BMI1BMI2CLMULF16CPCLMULQDQRDRANDRDSEEDSSE4.1SSE4.2x86-64-v3ABMADXCMPXCHG16BFXSRInvariant TSCLZCNTPOPCNTRDTSCPSSESSE2SSE3SSSE3x86-64-v2XSAVEXSAVEOPTMMXMOVBE
Virtualization	AMD SVMAMD-V (Hardware Virtualization)NPT / RVIIOMMU
OS capabilities	Docker / Hyper-V readyLinux KVM readyAndroid emulator readyWSL2 ready

Independent scores

These are PassMark CPU figures. They are not Feex measurements.

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 specifications: Independent scores
Single-core score	2,378
Multi-core score	14,305
Overall score	5,832
Productivity score	12,627
Creator score	12,148
Engineering score	14,216
Gaming score	10,710
Performance per watt	220.1

Compatibility

Compatibility
Socket	AM4
Board	A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Check the motherboard CPU list and BIOS revision.
Memory	up to 64 GB
Graphics	Requires a discrete GPU. This SKU has no iGPU.

A shared socket is not automatic compatibility. Boards often need a BIOS update before a newer chip in the same socket will post.

Cooler clearance, VRM quality, and power limits matter as much as the socket name.

Do not expect a display from the motherboard video ports. This SKU has no integrated graphics.

No display after install

This SKU has no integrated graphics. A machine with no discrete GPU will not show a picture. That is expected, not a dead CPU.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Partially Verified. How we research.

Feex Hardware Database · Specification source used for this sheet. CC BY 4.0.
Photo: Fritzchens Fritz · CC0
PassMark Software · CPU benchmark page for AMD Ryzen 5 2600

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