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AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review | 78 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£70
  • Avg. price in US: ~$80
  • PassMark benchmark result: 19275
  • N. of physical cores: 6
  • CPU boost clock speed: 4.2 GHz

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 review. Compare 78 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among processors and if it is worth buying.

5.9

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the processor's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best processors on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

5.5

Technical Score

10.0%

9.3

User score

Good
5.5

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

4.8

Performance

18.0%

6.1

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

7.3

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

6.1

Power & Thermal

4.0%

8.6

Platform

1.0%

2.8

Integrated Graphics

Good
9.3

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

9.0

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
(10222)
amazon
4.1
(73)
amazon
4.4
(27)
amazon
4.8
(6)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Exceptional
  • 4.8
    Gaming

    Score components:

    30.0%

    5.5

    PassMark single-core benchmark score

    25.0%

    5.4

    Geekbench 6 single-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    5.2

    CPU boost clock speed

    17.0%

    3.3

    L3 cache

    8.0%

    2.6

    N. of physical cores

  • 3.5
    Video editing

    Score components:

    45.0%

    3.8

    Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    2.6

    N. of physical cores

    20.0%

    4.0

    CPU threads

    15.0%

    3.3

    L3 cache

  • amd-ryzen-5-5500
amd-ryzen-5-5500

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a budget-oriented desktop processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, featuring 6 cores and 12 threads with a 3.6 GHz base clock and up to a 4.2 GHz boost frequency. Built on a 7nm process for the AM4 socket, it includes 16MB of L3 cache and operates at a 65W TDP, typically coming bundled with a Wraith Stealth cooler. Its main pros include excellent value for entry-level 1080p gaming, high energy efficiency, and an unlocked multiplier for easy overclocking. However, notable cons include its limitation to PCIe 3.0 (lacking PCIe 4.0 support), a significantly smaller L3 cache compared to the Ryzen 5 5600, and the complete absence of integrated graphics.

Technical Specifications of processor AMD Ryzen 5 5500

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

4.8

Performance

18.0%

6.1

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

7.3

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

6.1

Power & Thermal

4.0%

8.6

Platform

1.0%

2.8

Integrated Graphics

5.5
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a technical score of 5.5 points, which is higher than that of 55.6% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

9.0

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
(10222)
amazon
4.1
(73)
amazon
4.4
(27)
amazon
4.8
(6)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

9.3
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a user score of 9.3 points, which is higher than that of 90.1% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
10
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 88.3% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

5.9

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

7.1
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.1 points, which is higher than 74.3% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

AMD
Processor type
What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.
When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

desktop
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 belongs to the desktop processor class, which is more advanced than that of 56% of processors and equal to that of 37.9% of processors.
CPU socket
What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

AM4
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 uses the AM4 CPU socket, which is newer than that of 76.3% of processors and equal to that of 9.7% of processors.
Chipset
What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.
When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

X570, B550, A520, X470, B450, X370, B350
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 supports X570, B550, A520, X470, B450, X370, B350 chipsets, which is broader compatibility than 70.7% of processors and equal to that of 0.3% of processors.
CPU architecture
What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.
When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

x86-64
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 uses the x86-64 architecture, which is more advanced than that of 1.7% of processors and equal to that of 98.3% of processors.
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N. of physical cores
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

6
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has 6 CPU cores, which is more than 49.9% of processors and equal to 13.4% of processors.
CPU threads
What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

12
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 offers 12 CPU threads, which is more than 55.1% of processors and equal to 14.1% of processors.
Threads per core
What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.
When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

2
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 offers 2 threads per core, which is more than 30.4% of processors and equal to 69.6% of processors.
CPU boost clock speed
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

4.2 GHz
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 reaches a boost clock of 4.2 GHz which is lower than that of 51.9% of processors and equal to that of 4.3% of processors.
CPU base clock speed
What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

6 x 3.6 GHz
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a base clock of 6x3.6 GHz which is equal to that of 100% of processors.
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Semiconductor size
What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

7 nm
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 uses a 7 nm process node, which is more advanced than that of 71.5% of processors and equal to that of 10.9% of processors.
Foundry
What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.
When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

TSMC 7 nm
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is built on the TSMC 7 nm foundry process, which is more advanced than that of 56.7% of processors and equal to that of 9.4% of processors.
L3 cache
What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.
When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

16 MB
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has an L3 cache of 16 MB which is larger than that of 64.2% of processors and equal to that of 12.7% of processors.
L2 cache
What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

3 MB
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has an L2 cache of 3 MB which is larger than that of 50.2% of processors and equal to that of 4.4% of processors.
L1 cache
What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.
When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

384 KB
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has an L1 cache of 384 KB which is larger than that of 45% of processors and equal to that of 15.8% of processors.
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DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

DDR4
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 supports DDR DDR4, which is newer than that of 26.3% of processors and equal to that of 31.7% of processors.
Maximum memory speed
What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

3,200 MHz
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 supports memory speeds up to 3,200 MHz, which is higher than that of 51.5% of processors and equal to 8.3% of processors.
Max memory speed (JEDEC)
What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.
When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

DDR4-3200 MHz
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 supports JEDEC memory speeds up to DDR4-3,200 MHz, which is higher than that of 51.1% of processors and equal to 8.4% of processors.
Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)
What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.
When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

4,400 MHz
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 supports XMP/EXPO memory speeds up to 4,400 MHz, which is higher than that of 93.4% of processors and equal to 0.3% of processors.
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

128 GB
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 supports up to 128 GB of memory, which is more than 61.9% of processors and equal to 21.4% of processors.
Show more
Integrated graphics
What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.
When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

no
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 does not include integrated graphics. 87.6% include integrated graphics.
Integrated GPU model
What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.
When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Integrated GPU execution units
What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.
When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

N/A
Integrated GPU base frequency
What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.
When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

N/A
Integrated media encoders/decoders
What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.
When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

N/A
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TDP (Thermal design power)
What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

65 W
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a TDP of 65 W which is higher than that of 70% of processors and equal to that of 16.1% of processors.
Base power (PL1)
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

65 W
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a base power of 65 W which is higher than that of 70.3% of processors and equal to that of 16.4% of processors.
Boost power (PL2)
What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

88 W
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a boost power of 88 W which is higher than that of 57.6% of processors and equal to that of 6.3% of processors.
Tau (power duration limit)
What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.
When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

N/A
Configurable TDP
What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.
When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

no
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 does not support configurable TDP. 52.9% support configurable TDP.
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AMD Ryzen 5 5500 vs the average processor

  • Unlocked for overclocking
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has an unlocked multiplier, the average processor does not.
    What it is: Has an unlocked CPU multiplier, which makes manual CPU overclocking much easier on supported platforms.
    When it matters: When you plan to push clock speeds beyond stock settings instead of leaving the processor completely at default behavior.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has an unlocked multiplier, the average processor does not.
  • 8 more PCIe lanes
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has more PCIe lanes than the average processor (24 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
    20 usable lanes
    What it is: The number of PCIe lanes provided directly by the processor.
    When it matters: When you connect fast GPUs, SSDs, or expansion cards.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=20

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has more PCIe lanes than the average processor (24 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.24 vs 16
  • Includes stock cooler
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 includes a stock cooler, the average processor does not.
    What it is: A stock CPU cooler is included in the box with the processor.
    When it matters: When total build cost matters and you need to know whether separate cooling must be bought right away.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 includes a stock cooler, the average processor does not.
  • 55.8% more L3 per core
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2.7 MB/core vs 1,714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1,714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
    What it is: The amount of L3 cache effectively available per CPU core.
    When it matters: When you are comparing how much shared cache each core can draw on in deeper technical analysis.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=2 MB/core

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2.7 MB/core vs 1,714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1,714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.2.67 MB/core vs 1,714 MB/core
  • Supports memory overclocking
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 supports memory overclocking, the average processor does not.
    What it is: Allows memory speeds beyond official stock settings through manual tuning or profile-based overclocking.
    When it matters: When you want to push RAM performance higher than stock support allows, especially in enthusiast or gaming builds.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 supports memory overclocking, the average processor does not.
  • 10 °C lower CPU temperature
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a lower CPU temperature than the average processor (90 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.
    What it is: The reported operating temperature of the processor.
    When it matters: When you monitor thermals, cooling, or system stability.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: <100 °C

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a lower CPU temperature than the average processor (90 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.90 °C vs 100 °C
  • 83% higher PassMark score
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (19,275 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
    What it is: A benchmark score that gives a broad idea of overall processor performance.
    When it matters: When you want a quick overall performance comparison.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >19000

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (19,275 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.19,275 vs 10,532.5
  • 23.3% better single-core performance
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,061 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
    What it is: A benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
    When it matters: When you care about responsiveness in lighter or older software.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >3200

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,061 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.3,061 vs 2,483
  • Modern CPU socket
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 uses a more modern CPU socket than the average processor (AM4 vs FP2).
  • Unlocked for overclocking
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has an unlocked multiplier, the average processor does not.
  • 83% higher PassMark score
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (19,275 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
  • 23.3% better single-core performance
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,061 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
  • 27.2% higher single-core score
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (1,871 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
  • 59.3% higher multi-core score
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (7,634 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
  • 33.3% better multi-core performance
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher multi-core performance than the average processor (3,709 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
  • 4 more CPU threads
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has more CPU threads than the average processor (12 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
  • 10.5% higher Cinebench R20 single-core score
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (535 vs 484). The average processor scores 484 in Cinebench R20 single-core.
  • 2.34x better overclocked performance
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher overclocked performance than the average processor (21,204 vs 9,051). The average processor scores 9,051 in overclocked PassMark.
  • 55.8% more L3 per core
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2.7 MB/core vs 1,714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1,714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
  • 41.7% smaller process node
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a lower process node than the average processor (7 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
  • More advanced microarchitecture
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Cezanne vs Kaby Lake).
  • 2x larger L3 cache
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher L3 cache than the average processor (16 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.
  • More advanced foundry
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 uses a more advanced foundry process than the average processor (TSMC 7 nm vs Intel 14 nm).
  • 2.16x more transistors
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has more transistors than the average processor (10.7 billion vs 4.95 billion). The average processor has 4.95 billion transistors.
  • 8 more PCIe lanes
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has more PCIe lanes than the average processor (24 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
  • Supports memory overclocking
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 supports memory overclocking, the average processor does not.
  • 2x more memory capacity
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has more maximum memory capacity than the average processor (128 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
  • Includes stock cooler
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 includes a stock cooler, the average processor does not.
  • 10 °C lower CPU temperature
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a lower CPU temperature than the average processor (90 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.

Total
Overall
Platform
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Memory & PCIe
Power & Thermal
  • Older TPM support
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 supports an older TPM version than the average processor (fTPM 2.0 vs PTT 2.0).
  • 2.3% lower boost clock
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (4.2 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
  • No integrated graphics
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 does not include integrated graphics, the average processor does.
  • 44.4% higher base power
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher base power draw than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
  • 10 °C lower TJ Max
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a lower TJ Max than the average processor (90 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor has a TJ Max of 100 °C.
  • No configurable TDP
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
  • 44.4% higher TDP
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher TDP than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
  • 37.5% higher boost power
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher boost power draw than the average processor (88 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
  • 44.4% higher base power
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher base power draw than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
    What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
    When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <30 W

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher base power draw than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.65 W vs 45 W
  • 10 °C lower TJ Max
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a lower TJ Max than the average processor (90 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor has a TJ Max of 100 °C.
    What it is: The highest safe operating junction temperature before the CPU starts throttling or protecting itself.
    When it matters: When you tune cooling or monitor thermals under load.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=100 °C

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a lower TJ Max than the average processor (90 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor has a TJ Max of 100 °C.90 °C vs 100 °C
  • No configurable TDP
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
    What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.
    When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
  • No integrated graphics
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 does not include integrated graphics, the average processor does.
    What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.
    When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

    Importance: HIGH

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 does not include integrated graphics, the average processor does.
  • 44.4% higher TDP
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher TDP than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
    What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
    When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: <30 W

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher TDP than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.65 W vs 45 W
  • 37.5% higher boost power
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher boost power draw than the average processor (88 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
    What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
    When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <50 W

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a higher boost power draw than the average processor (88 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.88 W vs 64 W
  • Older TPM support
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 supports an older TPM version than the average processor (fTPM 2.0 vs PTT 2.0).
    What it is: The kind of TPM security support associated with the processor or its platform.
    When it matters: When operating-system requirements, device encryption, enterprise security, or platform trust features matter.

    Importance: LOW

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 supports an older TPM version than the average processor (fTPM 2.0 vs PTT 2.0).fTPM 2.0 vs PTT 2.0
  • 2.3% lower boost clock
    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (4.2 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
    What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
    When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >4.7 GHz

    AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (4.2 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.4.2 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
Total
Platform
Performance
Integrated Graphics
Power & Thermal

Graphic comparison of AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and other processors

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
10222 Reviews
amazon
4.1
73 Reviews
amazon
4.4
27 Reviews
amazon
4.8
6 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about AMD Ryzen 5 5500?

  • Excellent price-to-performance ratio for extreme budget builds
  • Solid 1080p gaming performance when paired with mid-range GPUs
  • Low power consumption (65W TDP) and generally runs cool
  • Comes with a functional Wraith Stealth stock cooler included
  • Great upgrade path for users on older AM4 motherboards (e.g., upgrading from Ryzen 1000/2000 series)
  • Capable of handling multitasking and basic productivity workloads with 6 cores and 12 threads

What customers dislike about AMD Ryzen 5 5500?

  • Lack of PCIe 4.0 support (limited to PCIe 3.0), which can bottleneck newer GPUs and SSDs
  • Significantly smaller L3 cache (16MB) compared to the Ryzen 5 5600 (32MB), leading to lower gaming performance
  • Underperforms in CPU-heavy tasks compared to similarly priced Intel alternatives like the i3-12100F
  • No integrated graphics (requires a dedicated GPU)
  • Minimal performance gain over the older Ryzen 5 3600 in many gaming scenarios
  • Stock cooler can struggle or become noisy under very heavy, sustained workloads

Expert reviews

P
pcmag.com
26/04/2022
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review Would you like to see a comparison table of the benchmark results from these specific reviews?

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a budget-focused 6-core, 12-thread processor offering solid value for entry-level builds but is limited by design choices like restricted PCIe 3.0 support and 16MB of L3 cache. While it performs well in multi-threaded productivity tasks, its reduced cache and lack of integrated graphics make it less competitive for gaming compared to the slightly more...Read more

A
au.pcmag.com
27/04/2022
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 - Review 2022 - PCMag Australia

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is an entry-level, six-core processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, serving as a low-cost, 16MB L3 cache alternative to the Ryzen 5 5600. Essentially a repurposed mobile "Cezanne" chip lacking integrated graphics, it is limited to PCIe 3.0, making it a budget-focused choice for AM4 platform users. While offering solid productivity performance, its gaming...Read more

R
root-nation.com
17/08/2022
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review: Most Affordable Zen 3 CPU

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a budget-focused 6-core/12-thread Zen 3 processor built on a 7nm process, offering a 3.6 GHz base clock and 4.2 GHz boost. Derived from "Cezanne" mobile silicon, it features a 16MB L3 cache and is limited to PCIe 3.0, prioritizing affordability for the AM4 platform. It provides strong energy efficiency (65W TDP) and quiet operation, making it ideal for budget...Read more

U
uk.pcmag.com
26/04/2022
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 - Review 2022

The PCMag review characterizes the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 as a budget-conscious, six-core "second-tier" Zen 3 processor, hindered by a severely reduced 16MB L3 cache and a lack of PCIe 4.0 support. While offering acceptable productivity performance, the architectural compromises result in inferior gaming capabilities compared to slightly more expensive alternatives like the Ryzen 5 5600....Read more

T
tomshardware.com
26/06/2022
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and 5500 Review: Firing Back at Alder Lake

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and 5500 provide a competitive response to Intel's budget Alder Lake processors for the AM4 platform. The Ryzen 5 5600 is a high-value gaming chip offering strong performance, PCIe 4.0 support, and efficiency as a drop-in upgrade for older motherboards, though it is often outmatched in single-threaded tasks by the Core i5-12400. The budget-focused, 6-core Ryzen...Read more

T
techspot.com
06/07/2022
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review: Yea or Nay?

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a "cut-down" Zen 3 Cezanne APU with integrated graphics disabled, featuring 16MB of L3 cache and limited to PCIe 3.0. While offering an low-cost, drop-in upgrade for older AM4 systems, performance is comparable to the older Ryzen 5 3600, falling behind the Ryzen 5 5600 by up to 40% in CPU-intensive tasks. TechSpot advises against this chip for new builds,...Read more

E
elefacts.de
01/08/2022
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review - A gaming PC doesn't have to be expensive

The Elefacts review identifies the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 as a budget-friendly, 6-core Zen 3 "Cezanne" processor aimed at cost-effective gaming, retailing for under €130 and offering high-value performance. Key pros include high energy efficiency, a monolithic design with low latency, ease of cooling with the included Wraith Stealth cooler, and strong raw compute power that competes well...Read more

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C
computerbase.de
26/04/2022
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X and Ryzen 5 5500 Review

The ComputerBase review positions the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X and Ryzen 5 5500 as late-generation AM4 options, primarily recommended for upgrading existing systems. The Ryzen 7 5700X, a 65W, 8-core CPU, offers 5800X-level performance with better efficiency, featuring 32MB L3 cache and PCIe 4.0, though it lacks a boxed cooler and sometimes trails Intel's i5-12600K. Conversely, the...Read more

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H
hardwaredealz.com
17/03/2022
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review - Benchmarks & Gaming

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a 6-core/12-thread budget processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, utilizing a repurposed Cezanne APU design with disabled integrated graphics. It offers 65W efficiency for AM4 platforms, though it is limited to 16MB of L3 cache and PCIe 3.0 speeds, restricting its gaming potential compared to the Ryzen 5 5600. While it offers strong multi-threaded value...Read more

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F
fr.root-nation.com
17/08/2022
AMD Ryzen 5 Review: The Most Affordable Zen 5500 Processor

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is described as an affordable, monolithic Zen 3 processor that acts as a final budget option for the AM4 platform, essentially functioning as a Ryzen 5 5600G with disabled integrated graphics. It offers exceptional value and strong memory overclocking capabilities, while maintaining efficiency with a 65W TDP. Key drawbacks noted include the lack of PCIe 4.0...Read more

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G
geekom.es
06/01/2026
Ryzen 5 5500 vs Ryzen 5 5600: 2026 Performance Battle

The Geekom review highlights that while sharing a 6-core/12-thread architecture, the Ryzen 5 5600 outperforms the 5500 with a higher 4.4 GHz boost clock and 32MB L3 cache, plus vital support for PCIe 4.0. The 5600 proves superior in gaming, offering higher frame rates, and in productivity, delivering faster rendering, though it can run hotter under load. Conversely, the...Read more

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G
geeknetic.es
24/05/2022
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review: The most affordable processor

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a 6-core/12-thread, budget-oriented processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, essentially functioning as a Ryzen 5 5600G with integrated graphics disabled. It features a 65W TDP, a 3.6 GHz base clock, and 4.2 GHz boost, but relies on a smaller 16MB L3 cache and supports only PCIe 3.0, marking a distinct cutback from the 5600X. Performance-wise, it provides...Read more

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T
thegamesmachine.it
26/07/2022
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 7 5700X Review

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X and Ryzen 5 5500 are evaluated as efficient, budget-friendly additions to the AM4 ecosystem, designed for prolonging the life of existing platforms. The 5700X offers 8-core performance with low 65W TDP efficiency, serving as a cooler, cheaper alternative to the 5800X, though it lacks an included cooler. The Ryzen 5 5500 provides an affordable 6-core option for...Read more

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H
hwupgrade.it
14/06/2022
Ryzen 5 5500, 5600 and Ryzen 7 5700X: AMD's answer to Intel Alder Lake CPUs

According to the HWUpgrade review, AMD's Ryzen 5 5500, 5600, and Ryzen 7 5700X are designed as competitive mid-to-low-end options against Intel's 12th Gen Alder Lake processors. The Ryzen 5 5500, a Cezanne-based, 6-core 65W chip, excels in affordability and efficiency, but its limitations include a reduced 16MB L3 cache and lack of PCIe 4.0 support. The Ryzen 5 5600 stands out as a...Read more

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C
ct.nl
13/09/2022
Intel vs AMD - New AM4 Ryzen 4000 and 5000 processors

The CT.nl review highlights that AMD's Zen 3-based Ryzen 5000 series significantly closes the gap with Intel, offering superior IPC and performance in gaming and single-core tasks. However, a key downside is the increased pricing, as AMD moves away from its budget-friendly reputation to a premium offering. For the Ryzen 4000 series (Renoir), the focus is on efficient, compact...Read more

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N
nl.root-nation.com
17/08/2022
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review: The Most Affordable Zen 3 CPU

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is positioned as an affordable Zen 3 processor for the AM4 platform, utilizing a monolithic single-die design (similar to the 5600G) that results in a halved L3 cache of 16MB. Performance-wise, it offers strong budget-focused multithreaded capabilities and excellent RAM overclocking potential (4266 MHz+), though it is limited by PCIe 3.0, lower gaming...Read more

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T
tweakers.net
02/05/2022
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 5 5600 Review - Identical CPUs Are Remarkably Different

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 ("Vermeer") and Ryzen 5 5500 ("Cezanne") are fundamentally different, with the 5500 having halved L3 cache (16MB) and limited to PCIe 3.0, while the 5600 offers 32MB L3 cache and PCIe 4.0 support. Performance-wise, the 5600 acts as a strong, budget-friendly gaming option, whereas the 5500 suffers in gaming due to cache/PCIe limitations, falling 15–20% behind in...Read more

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T
tweakers.net
21/05/2025
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Boxed - Reviews - Tweakers

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500, reviewed by Tweakers, is a budget-focused, 6-core/12-thread processor based on the "Cezanne" monolithic architecture, making it distinct from the chiplet-based Ryzen 5 5600. While offering strong multi-core performance for productivity as a cost-effective upgrade for AM4 users, it lacks integrated graphics and is physically constrained by its mobile-oriented...Read more

(Translated)Show original

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