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AMD Ryzen 5 5500 review: 74 specs compared

Avg. price:~£70PassMark multi-core score:19275N. of physical cores:6CPU boost clock speed:4.2 GHzCPU socket:AM4TDP (Thermal design power):65 W

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review: Compare 74 technical specifications, 27 expert and video reviews and 18 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Processors category and whether it is worth buying.

AMD Ryzen 5 5500

7.6/10

▲Better than 81% of processors

8.3

★Better than 95%

6.2

▲Better than 57%

8.0

▲Better than 72%

8.8

★Better than 99%

5.0
Gaming
Gaming
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
Measures single-core benchmark performance, peak boost clock speeds, and fast L3 cache sizing critical for high frame rates.
When it matters
When you want to play demanding mobile games, 3D titles, or run graphics-intensive apps smoothly.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
30.0%
6.0
PassMark single-core score
25.0%
5.7
Geekbench 6 single-core score
20.0%
5.5
CPU boost clock speed
17.0%
2.5
L3 cache
8.0%
3.6
N. of physical cores
5.3
Video editing
Video editing
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
Assesses multi-core benchmark throughput, total physical core and thread count, and cache bandwidth for rapid video rendering.
When it matters
When evaluating how effectively this processors meets your specific video editing needs.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
45.0%
6.4
Geekbench 6 multi-core score
20.0%
3.6
N. of physical cores
20.0%
6.6
CPU threads
15.0%
2.5
L3 cache

Where to buy

*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Best rankings

What reviewers say about the AMD Ryzen 5 5500

Based on 9 · 12

Reviewers like its solid performance, cool running and easy motherboard fit, but criticise the older PCIe support and missing integrated graphics.

Praised

Mixed views

Criticised

Pick a topic to see who said what

What owners say about the AMD Ryzen 5 5500

Based on 178 owners sharing their experience in online comments

65%positive15%mixed20%negative

Owners praise its affordable performance, while BIOS tuning problems and inconsistent game results are the biggest frustrations.

What owners like

Several owners say it runs AAA and FPS games well at 1080p and 1440p with mid-range GPUs, reaching 60 to 100 FPS, and keeps up with the GPU.43
Owners upgrading from older Ryzen chips or Intel systems report higher minimum FPS and smoother play, often for well under the price of a 5600.37
Owners upgrading from older Ryzen, Intel or APU systems such as the 1600, 2600, 3200G or i5 chips report a big jump in game performance for a modest price.25
Many owners get stable gains from modest overclocks around 4.2 to 4.5 GHz with PBO or a fixed multiplier, usually at low voltage and with little extra heat.14
Owners with older Ryzen chips and aging Intel or APU systems say the 5500 is a cheap upgrade that makes their existing board, RAM and PSU useful again.10
Owners say the 5500 runs DDR4 at 3200 to 3800 MHz with good results, and its memory controller handles 4-stick setups and fast kits well.9
Owners pair it with many GPUs, including RX 6600, 6700 XT, RTX 3060, RX 9060 XT and GTX 1060, and report it keeps up at 1080p and 1440p.9
Owners say it draws only about 35 watts under load, runs cool and power efficient, and that undervolting keeps temperatures down.6
Owners who lower the voltage or add a better cooler report lower temperatures, sometimes dropping 10 to 20 degrees under load.5

What owners dislike

Some owners report no boot, black screens or a need to reset the BIOS after applying the video's memory or PBO settings, especially with RAM timings.25
Some owners see FPS well below what they expected, often because of a CPU bottleneck with stronger GPUs or a BIOS or driver issue.13
Owners on the stock cooler report temperatures near 90 to 93 degrees under heavy loads like Cinebench, and some see throttling or noise.6
Some owners find RAM kits unstable at XMP or high speeds, with crashes or failure to boot, especially when mixing memory kits or chip types.5
Owners say the 16 MB cache and limited single-core speed hurt CPU-heavy games like Rust, PUBG, Cyberpunk and Skate, with stutters and lower frame rates.5
Some owners report random restarts, crashes or blue screens after overclocking with PBO, boost offsets or high memory settings, even when the settings seemed stable.4
With stronger GPUs like the RTX 4070 Ti, RX 7800 XT or 3070 at 1080p, owners see the CPU hold back frame rates, so the bottleneck is noticeable.3
Owners on PCIe 3.0 boards say the 5500 loses a little GPU performance, around 10%, and the small 16 MB cache adds to the limit in some games.3
Several owners say the 5500 needs a stronger graphics card, since older or entry GPUs like the GTX 1650 or RX 550 limit how well it performs.3

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

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Technical Specifications of processor AMD Ryzen 5 5500

7.6

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Platform

8.6

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Processor type

CPU socket

Chipset

CPU architecture

Instruction sets

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What reviewers say

Performance

6.0

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N. of physical cores

CPU threads

CPU boost clock speed

CPU base clock speed

PassMark multi-core score

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What reviewers say

Architecture

6.0

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Semiconductor size

Foundry

L3 cache

L2 cache

L1 cache

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What reviewers say

Memory & PCIe

7.3

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DDR memory version

Maximum memory speed

Max memory speed (JEDEC)

Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)

Maximum memory capacity

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What reviewers say

Integrated graphics

4.0

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Integrated graphics

Integrated GPU model

N/A

Integrated GPU execution units

N/A

Integrated GPU base frequency

N/A

Integrated media encoders/decoders

N/A

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What reviewers say

Power & Thermal

6.8

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TDP (Thermal design power)

Base power (PL1)

Boost power (PL2)

?

Tau (power duration limit)

N/A

Configurable TDP

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What reviewers say

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 vs the average processor

Why is AMD Ryzen 5 5500 better than the average processor?

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68.1% higher PassMark score
This processor has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (19,275 vs 11,469). The average processor scores 11,469 in PassMark benchmark.
19,275 vs 11,469
8 more PCIe lanes
This processor has more PCIe lanes than the average processor (24 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
20 usable lanes
24 vs 16
Unlocked for overclocking
This processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the average processor does not. 22.6% of processors offer this.
2 more performance cores
This processor has more performance cores than the average processor (6 vs 4). The average processor has 4 performance cores.
6 vs 4
Includes a cooler
This processor includes a cooler, while the average processor does not. 26.9% of processors include a cooler.
44.3% more L3 per core
This processor has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2.7 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.85 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
2.67 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core
46.6% higher multi-core score
This processor has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (7,634 vs 5,209). The average processor scores 5,209 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
7,634 vs 5,209
More advanced microarchitecture
This processor uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Cezanne vs Kaby Lake).
Cezanne vs Kaby Lake

19.4% higher review score
Reviews score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.2 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 72% of models
80%
7.6
Average grade
20%
9.4
Popularity
Grades by review (27)
16 reviews: 8 with a printed score, 8 estimated from the review. 11 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
8.0 vs 6.7
12.8% higher list score
List score
8.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (18)
List score: in 18 of 87 lists (21%)
8.8 vs 7.8
20.8% higher sentiment score
8.7 vs 7.2
13.7% better value for money
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has better value for money than the average processor (8.29 vs 7.3).
8.29 vs 7.29
3.57x cheaper
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is cheaper than the average processor (£70 vs £250).
£70 vs £250

Modern CPU socket
This processor uses a more modern CPU socket than the average processor (AM4 vs FP5).
AM4 vs FP5

68.1% higher PassMark score
This processor has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (19,275 vs 11,469). The average processor scores 11,469 in PassMark benchmark.
19,275 vs 11,469
Unlocked for overclocking
This processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the average processor does not. 22.6% of processors offer this.
2 more performance cores
This processor has more performance cores than the average processor (6 vs 4). The average processor has 4 performance cores.
6 vs 4
46.6% higher multi-core score
This processor has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (7,634 vs 5,209). The average processor scores 5,209 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
7,634 vs 5,209
4 more CPU threads
This processor has more CPU threads than the average processor (12 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
12 vs 8
19.7% better single-core performance
This processor has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (3,061 vs 2,558). The average processor scores 2,558 in PassMark single-core.
3,061 vs 2,558
Higher base clock
This processor has a higher base clock than the average processor (6x3.6 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz).
6x3.6 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz
21.9% higher single-core score
This processor has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (1,871 vs 1,535). The average processor scores 1,535 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
1,871 vs 1,535
32.3% better multi-core performance
This processor has a higher multi-core performance than the average processor (3,709 vs 2,804.5). The average processor scores 2,804.5 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
3,709 vs 2,804.5
9.2% higher Cinebench R20 single-core score
This processor has a higher Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (535 vs 490). The average processor scores 490 in Cinebench R20 single-core.
535 vs 490

44.3% more L3 per core
This processor has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2.7 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.85 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
2.67 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core
More advanced microarchitecture
This processor uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Cezanne vs Kaby Lake).
Cezanne vs Kaby Lake
41.7% smaller process node
This processor has a lower process node than the average processor (7 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
7 nm vs 12 nm
More advanced foundry
This processor uses a more advanced foundry process than the average processor (TSMC 7 nm vs Intel 14 nm).
TSMC 7 nm vs Intel 14 nm
77.8% larger L3 cache
This processor has a higher L3 cache than the average processor (16 MB vs 9 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 9 MB.
16 MB vs 9 MB
2.16x more transistors
This processor has more transistors than the average processor (10.7 billion vs 4.95 billion). The average processor has 4.95 billion transistors.
10.7 billion vs 4.95 billion

8 more PCIe lanes
This processor has more PCIe lanes than the average processor (24 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
20 usable lanes
24 vs 16
Supports memory overclocking
This processor supports memory overclocking, while the average processor does not. 43.9% of processors support memory overclocking.
2x more memory capacity
This processor has more maximum memory capacity than the average processor (128 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
128 GB vs 64 GB

Includes a cooler
This processor includes a cooler, while the average processor does not. 26.9% of processors include a cooler.
10 °C lower CPU temperature
This processor 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

Why is AMD Ryzen 5 5500 worse than the average processor?

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No configurable TDP
This processor does not support configurable TDP, while the average processor does. 53.7% of processors support configurable TDP.
10 °C lower temperature limit
This processor has a lower temperature limit than the average processor (90 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor can run up to 100 °C.
90 °C vs 100 °C
44.4% higher base power
This processor 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
58.3% slower classroom rendering
This processor has a higher Blender Classroom render time than the average processor (141.9 vs 340.1). The average processor needs 340.075 for the Blender Classroom test.
141.87 vs 340.075
4.5% lower boost clock
This processor has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (4.2 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.4 GHz.
4.2 GHz vs 4.4 GHz
No integrated graphics
This processor does not include integrated graphics, while the average processor does. 85.4% of processors include integrated graphics.
44.4% higher TDP
This processor 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
Weaker security extensions
This processor provides less advanced security extensions than the average processor (AES-NI, SHA, SMAP, SMEP, Secure Processor, Secure Boot, Shadow Stack, GMET vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard, CET, MBEC, TME, TME-MK).
AES-NI, SHA, SMAP, SMEP, Secure Processor, Secure Boot, Shadow Stack, GMET vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard, CET, MBEC, TME, TME-MK

Narrower instruction support
This processor supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES, SHA, AMD-V vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA, AMD-V).
MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES, SHA, AMD-V vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA, AMD-V
Weaker security extensions
This processor provides less advanced security extensions than the average processor (AES-NI, SHA, SMAP, SMEP, Secure Processor, Secure Boot, Shadow Stack, GMET vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard, CET, MBEC, TME, TME-MK).
AES-NI, SHA, SMAP, SMEP, Secure Processor, Secure Boot, Shadow Stack, GMET vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard, CET, MBEC, TME, TME-MK
Older TPM support
This processor supports an older TPM version than the average processor (fTPM 2 vs PTT 2).
fTPM 2.0 vs PTT 2.0

58.3% slower classroom rendering
This processor has a higher Blender Classroom render time than the average processor (141.9 vs 340.1). The average processor needs 340.075 for the Blender Classroom test.
141.87 vs 340.075
4.5% lower boost clock
This processor has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (4.2 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.4 GHz.
4.2 GHz vs 4.4 GHz

Limited PCIe bifurcation
This processor supports less flexible PCIe bifurcation than the average processor (x16, x8/x8, x8/x4/x4 vs x16, x8/x8, x4/x4/x4/x4).
x16, x8/x8, x8/x4/x4 vs x16, x8/x8, x4/x4/x4/x4

No integrated graphics
This processor does not include integrated graphics, while the average processor does. 85.4% of processors include integrated graphics.

No configurable TDP
This processor does not support configurable TDP, while the average processor does. 53.7% of processors support configurable TDP.
10 °C lower temperature limit
This processor has a lower temperature limit than the average processor (90 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor can run up to 100 °C.
90 °C vs 100 °C
44.4% higher base power
This processor 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
44.4% higher TDP
This processor 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

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

8.0

Matt Miller

≈ estimated

23/08/2026

Hands-on review · gaming tests with four GPUs

Verdict

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a strong budget pick, though esports performance and PCIe Gen 3 hold it back.

7.0

Matt Miller

✓ explicit

09/08/2026

Long gaming test · RTX 5060 and RX 6600 pairings

Verdict

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has lost its appeal at its current price, though it was a strong buy when priced well.

8.0

Sanford Gaming Experts

≈ estimated

17/03/2026

Hands-on test · GPU pairing in CS2, Marvel Rivals, Cyberpunk

Verdict

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a great budget CPU, but it bottlenecks high-end GPUs and suits casual single-player games best.

8.0

Cheap Bastard

≈ estimated

16/02/2025

Benchmark review · game tests at 1080p and 1440p

Verdict

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is still a good, cheap gaming CPU, but less convincing at higher prices.

9.0

Techo Mode

≈ estimated

04/02/2023

Hands-on review · benchmarks, stress and gaming tests

Verdict

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is still worth buying in 2023 for gaming, despite no PCIe 4.0 and an older AM4 socket.

Overview video

Hands-on video, no verdict

Not graded

Not graded

Overview video

Not graded

Overview video

Tastatursportfreunde · 18/09/2022

Hands-on review · benchmarks against Ryzen 5 3600

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a very good budget six-core with few drawbacks, but there's no clear reason to upgrade from a 3600.

Likes

Clearly faster than the Ryzen 5 3600 in most games
Lower temperatures and power draw than the 3600
Good value for a budget AM4 upgrade

Dislikes

Half the L3 cache of the Ryzen 5 3600
PCIe 3.0 only
No DDR5 support, which limits future-proofing

Duotek · 11/04/2026

Hands-on review · gaming and work tests

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a clear yes for buyers on a tight budget, with strong gaming and productivity performance.

Likes

Strong gaming frame rates for the price
Low power draw keeps temperatures manageable
Works well with a basic budget motherboard
Capable at editing and everyday work

Dislikes

Best only if your budget is very tight
Ryzen 7000 chips are the better buy if you can afford them

Benyi Tech · 18/04/2025

Build and gaming tests · PC assembly with GTX 1060

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 runs well with a GTX 1060 for now, though demanding AAA games need a GPU upgrade.

Likes

No bottleneck with the GTX 1060 build
Stock cooler is enough, since the chip draws little power
Supports FSR and frame generation in games
Compatible with Ryzen 5000 series on A520 boards

Dislikes

Not enough for AAA games at high settings
GTX 1060 is aging and will need an upgrade

Joao BCC · 25/09/2024

Overclock test · Ryzen Master settings and in-game FPS

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is competent enough for good FPS at stock; overclocking adds a modest gain, best left to experienced users.

Likes

Competent FPS at stock settings
Temperatures barely change with the overclock
Voltage tuning by hand gives more control

Dislikes

Automatic voltage mode is very unstable on Ryzen
The overclock gain is modest
Stock cooler needs an upgrade for overclocking

Geek Stars Tips · 04/08/2022

Hands-on review · Premiere, rendering and gaming tests

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is worth buying as a budget chip, best suited to 1080p gaming at medium settings.

Likes

Responsive timeline in Premiere Pro
Stable and capable for everyday office tasks
Solid six-core performance for gaming at Full HD

Dislikes

Rendering on the CPU alone is slow
Only recommended for Full HD at medium settings
Heavy 3D work calls for a stronger processor

TonyTech · 15/05/2022

Hands-on review · benchmarks, temperatures and upgrade advice

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a good upgrade pick for older AM4 systems, but look elsewhere for a new build.

Likes

Good value in its price range
Runs cool and reaches its advertised clocks without problems
Strong gaming results for a budget processor

Dislikes

AM4 platform is nearing the end of its lifespan
Intel i3-12100 matches or beats it in some games
Not recommended for a brand-new system build

VCG · 12/08/2022

Head-to-head comparison · gaming and application benchmarks

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a fine pick for a low-cost build, but the Intel 12100F is the better gaming chip.

Likes

Strong application performance for the price
Gaming results close to the Ryzen 5 3600
Affordable entry platform with cheap AM4 motherboards

Dislikes

Clearly behind the 12100F in gaming, especially 1% lows
Not worth it once the price climbs toward the 5600

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

6.0

techspot.com

✓ explicit

06/07/2022

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review: Yea or Nay?

Gaming benchmark · Desktop processor

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 performs on par with the older Ryzen 5 3600 across a 21-game test, so it is mainly an upgrade for owners of quad-core Ryzen chips.

7.0

tomshardware.com

✓ explicit

26/06/2022

AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and 5500 Review: Firing Back at Alder Lake

Benchmark review · Desktop CPU

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has no integrated graphics and suits upgrades from Ryzen 1000 systems, but Intel's Alder Lake chips are the better pick for new builds.

7.0

uk.pcmag.com

✓ explicit

26/04/2022

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 - Review 2022

Lab test · Desktop processor

Verdict

The Ryzen 5 5500 is a fine processor for office and non-gaming tasks, but it trails the Ryzen 5 5600 and needs a separate graphics card in every PC.

9.0

root-nation.com

≈ estimated

17/08/2022

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review: Most Affordable Zen 3 CPU

Overclocking test · Desktop CPU

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a six-core chip that beats AMD's older chips in multi-threaded work, but it runs hot, reaching 95°C with the bundled cooler.

7.0

au.pcmag.com

✓ explicit

27/04/2022

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 - Review 2022 - PCMag Australia

Lab test · Desktop processor

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a decent chip for non-gaming work, but it trails the Ryzen 5 5600 and Intel's Core i5-11600K, especially in 1080p gaming.

6.0

computerbase.de

≈ estimated

26/04/2022

AMD Ryzen 7 5700X and Ryzen 5 5500 Review

Lab test · Cut-down Zen 3

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a cut-down six-core Zen 3 chip that draws little power at idle and light load, but it trails Intel's Alder Lake rivals.

9.0

elefacts.de

≈ estimated

01/08/2022

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review - A gaming PC doesn't have to be expensive

Hands-on test · Gaming PC build

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a six-core chip that handles most games and apps well, but its bundled cooler is loud and it needs a separate graphics card.

7.0

geeknetic.es

✓ explicit

24/05/2022

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review: The most affordable processor

Lab test · Overclocking limits

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a six-core Zen 3 chip with limited overclocking headroom and no integrated graphics, so it needs a separate graphics card.

7.0

hwupgrade.it

≈ estimated

14/06/2022

Ryzen 5 5500, 5600 and Ryzen 7 5700X: AMD's answer to Intel Alder Lake CPUs

Benchmark review · Desktop CPU

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a six-core chip with fast compression and low power draw, but Intel's Core i5-12400 pulls ahead in several productivity tests.

8.0

thegamesmachine.it

≈ estimated

26/07/2022

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 7 5700X Review

Hands-on test · Desktop CPU

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 nearly matches the Ryzen 5 5600X in synthetic tests and trails it by 5% in games, but SSD access speed is its weak point.

6.0

tweakers.net

≈ estimated

02/05/2022

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 5 5600 Review - Identical CPUs Are Remarkably Different

Benchmark review · Budget CPU

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 beats some older Intel chips in games but falls well behind the Ryzen 5 5600, especially in F1 2021 and Metro Exodus.

9.0

nl.root-nation.com

✓ explicit

17/08/2022

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Review: The Most Affordable Zen 3 CPU

Hands-on test · Desktop processor

Verdict

The Ryzen 5 5500 is the fastest AMD chip in its class for upgrading older AM4 systems, but its disabled graphics and heavy heat under load are drawbacks.

Third-party reviews

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 don't like 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

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.

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See best alternatives in Buying Guide

Compare AMD Ryzen 5 5500 with other processors

Graphic comparison of AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and other processors

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