Is the 5600H Good for Gaming?
Based on our evaluation of using AMD's Ryzen 5 5600H CPU for gaming, you can expect mediocre game performance.
We created this performance assessment based on the following characteristics of the CPU and their relevance to the latest graphics-intense games:
- 16 MB of L3 cache is mediocre for performance
- 6 cores allow for good performance
- 3.3 GHz base frequency
- 4.2 GHz single-core max boost frequency is excellent for performance (requires good heat dissipation)
- Max stock DDR4 speed of 3200 MHz can be good for performance
- Lack of overclocking support cannot benefit performance
- PCIe 3.0 support can be poor for performance (limits potential of fastest SSDs and GPUs)
- The 5600H has integrated graphics support, with the CPU and GPU on a single chip die, known as an APU. However, this performance assessment assumes you will use an internal or external graphics card. Integrated graphics support is mediocre or worse with the latest graphics-intense games.
The 5600H also supports LPDDR4, which may have reduced performance compared to DDR4 memory.
Performance of the Ryzen 5 5600H
| Core Count: | 6 |
|---|---|
| Thread Count: | 12 |
| L3 Cache: | 16 MB |
| Base Freq.: | 3.3 GHz |
| Max Boost Freq. (1 Core): | 4.2 GHz |
Cores
5600H: Based on our evaluation, the 5600H's 6 cores allow for good performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Learn more about Core Counts
below.
Base Frequency
5600H: The 5600H has a 3.3 GHz base frequency, which is the speed before boosting.
Learn more about CPU Clock Speeds below.
Single-Core Boost Frequency
5600H: Based on our evaluation, the 5600H's 4.2 GHz single-core max boost frequency is excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games. You can maintain these frequencies with good heat dissipation.
Learn more about CPU Clock Speeds below.
Overclocking Support
5600H: The 5600H CPU's lack of support for overclocking cannot benefit performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Learn more about Overclocking below.
DDR Support
5600H: Based on our evaluation, the 5600H CPU's support for DDR4 with a max stock speed of 3200 MHz can be good for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Learn more about DDR Support below.
PCIe
5600H: Based on our evaluation, the 5600H CPU's support for PCIe 3.0 can be poor for performance with the latest graphics-intense games, as it will limit the potential of the latest SSDs and graphics cards.
L3 Cache
5600H: Based on our evaluation, the 5600H's 16 MB of L3 cache is mediocre for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Learn more about Cache Sizes below.
Is the Cache Size of the 5600H Good for Gaming?
A CPU's cache is a small amount of memory, close to the CPU cores, containing recently used data.
Games performance can improve as cache size increases, as it will reduce delays when retrieving commonly used game assets from memory.
An L3 cache capacity of at least 20 MB is ideal for game performance.
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600H has an L3 cache capacity of 16 MB.
Based on our evaluation, the 5600H's 16 MB of L3 cache is mediocre for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Is the Core Count of the 5600H Good for Gaming?
Increased core counts can improve the performance of games that use them, but most modern games don't benefit from having more than 6–8 cores. We've experienced the best performance by prioritizing a higher single-core boost frequency, then on a higher multi-core boost frequency, rather than focusing on core count alone. Remember that cache sizes often increase along with core counts, so if you want to increase your L3 cache, you may need to get a CPU with more cores.
AMD's Ryzen 5 5600H CPUs have 6 cores.
Based on our evaluation, the 5600H's 6 cores allow for good performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
Is the Clock Speed of the 5600H Good for Gaming?
We've experienced that single-core performance is essential for some games, as many don't take full advantage of multiple cores.
The safest strategy for consistent gaming performance with a laptop is to get a higher base clock speed processor. High base frequencies will ensure that the laptop was designed to adequately cool the CPU at the base frequency. With exceptional cooling, you may be able to maintain speeds near the max boost frequency. However, laptops usually cannot cool CPUs enough to support constant boost frequencies. Boost frequencies are only achieved and sustained under ideal circumstances.
The 5600H CPU's lack of support for overclocking cannot benefit performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
The processor has a 3.3 GHz base frequency and supports a 4.2 GHz single-core max boost frequency.
The 5600H has a 3.3 GHz base frequency, which is the speed before boosting.
Based on our evaluation, the 5600H's 4.2 GHz single-core max boost frequency is excellent for performance with the latest graphics-intense games. You can maintain these frequencies with good heat dissipation.
The 5600H does not have Performance cores.
Is the DDR Support of the 5600H Good for Gaming?
Based on our evaluation, the 5600H CPU's support for DDR4 with a max stock speed of 3200 MHz can be good for performance with the latest graphics-intense games.
The 5600H also supports LPDDR4, which may have reduced performance compared to DDR4 memory.
Faster PC memory can improve game performance and frame rates, but using the fastest RAM may not have as much of an impact as upgrading your CPU and graphics card or adding more RAM.
Learn more about DDR in DDR4 vs. DDR5? Which You Should Buy.
Considerations for Choosing a CPU
Core Count
AMD's Ryzen 5 5600H CPUs have 6 cores.
We found that, in general, more cores do provide better performance in professional tools and when running multiple applications simultaneously.
Increased core counts can improve the performance of games and professional tools that use them. Most modern games don't benefit from having more than 6–8 cores. Even general apps can benefit from many cores when numerous applications are open simultaneously. Web browsers don't significantly take advantage of multiple cores when loading a single page. However, more CPU cores can improve performance when running demanding web apps in multiple windows.
CPU Clock Speeds
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600H has a 3.3 GHz base frequency and supports a 4.2 GHz single-core max boost frequency.
We've experienced that single-core performance is essential for some games, as many don't take full advantage of multiple cores. Similarly, we have experienced that professional tools depend on high single and multi-core boost frequencies to maximize their processing speed.
Boost frequencies are only achieved under ideal circumstances. However, with adequate cooling, you may be able to maintain speeds near the max boost frequency.
Higher vs. Lower Base Frequencies
We've found that lower base clock speeds result in lower power consumption.
A CPU's base frequency refers to the clock speed at which its cores run under normal operating conditions. However, the actual clock speed of the CPU can vary depending on the workload and the system power state.
A lower base frequency can lead to better power savings overall since the clock speed decreases when the load is low, resulting in lower power consumption. However, a CPU may run slower than the base frequency to conserve power or reduce heat generation. For example, modern CPUs use technologies like Intel SpeedStep or AMD Cool'n'Quiet to dynamically adjust the CPU's clock speed based on the system's workload and power state.
A CPU with a lower base frequency may generate less heat under normal operating conditions, enabling it to boost some cores to higher frequencies while remaining within its thermal limits. This lower base frequency results in better performance than a CPU with a higher base frequency, which may not be able to sustain its boost frequency for long periods due to thermal throttling. However, this is mostly only relevant if your system's cooling solution can only partially dissipate the heat produced by all cores being fully boosted.
DDR Support
The 5600H CPU's fastest supported DDR memory type is DDR4, with a max stock speed of 3200 MHz.
You can exceed these stock speeds officially supported by CPUs when overclocking memory, such as with an XMP profile. Motherboard specifications will indicate their supported overclocked-memory speeds. To be able to overclock DDR memory, your motherboard chipset needs to support memory overclocking.
Faster PC memory can improve game and professional tool performance by reducing the time it takes to perform calculations and data operations.
We've experienced that using the quickest RAM may not have as much of an impact as upgrading your CPU and graphics card or adding more RAM.
Cache Size
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600H has an L3 cache capacity of 16 MB.
A CPU's cache is a small amount of memory, close to the CPU cores, containing recently used data. An L3 cache capacity of at least 20 MB is ideal for games and professional tool performance.
Games and professional tool performance can improve as cache size increases, as it can reduce delays when retrieving commonly used assets from memory. While nearly any task will use a CPU's cache, our research indicates that a large cache becomes less impactful for general PC usage, such as browsing webpages.
Remember that cache sizes often increase with core counts, so if you want to increase your L3 cache, you may need to get a CPU with more cores.
Overclocking
The 5600H does not support overclocking.
Overclocking is mainly relevant for PC gamers who want to maximize their game framerates. CPU overclocking increases frequencies past their default limits. Excellent heat dissipation via fans or another solution is required to maintain system stability while overclocking. While we felt a sense of excitement and anticipation when we pushed the limits of our CPU's performance, it's essential to remember that overclocking comes with the risk of damaging your system components or voiding warranties.
Professional tools can benefit from overclocked frequencies. However, overclocking may introduce some possibility of system instability, which may be less acceptable in business scenarios. We've found out the hard way that losing work due to system instability is a pain.
What Does the H Suffix in 5600H Mean?
| Processor Name Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| H | "H" means it's a mid-range high-performance mobile CPU. H CPUs fall between the HS and HX CPUs in terms of performance and power usage. |
Where to Buy Laptops With the Ryzen 5 5600H CPU
Find laptops with the Ryzen 5 5600H on Amazon
Find laptops with the Ryzen 5 5600H at Best Buy.
Find laptops with the Ryzen 5 5600H at Newegg.
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You can also contact the author at: brandon@techreviewer.com