| Core Count | 6 |
| Thread Count | 12 |
| Base Clock Frequency | 3.6 GHz |
| Maximum Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz |
| Unlocked Multiplier? | |
| Socket Compatibility | AMD AM4 |
| Lithography | 7 nm |
| L3 Cache Amount | 16 MB |
| Thermal Design Power (TDP) Rating | 65 watts |
| Integrated Graphics | None |
| Bundled Cooler | AMD Wraith Stealth |
In testing the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, AMD explored the benefits of incorporating a substantial amount of Level 3 cache into the current Ryzen 5000 series CPUs. Our performance evaluations of this processor revealed marginal improvements overall, with more pronounced, albeit inconsistent, enhancements in gaming. Conversely, the Ryzen 5 5500 allows us to examine the opposite scenario: the consequences of significantly reducing the cache of a Ryzen 5000 series chip. The outcomes indicate that, similar to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, the impact varies across different applications. However, it appears that the Ryzen 5 5500 may struggle to attract buyers unless street prices exhibit narrower variances compared to list prices—AMD’s Ryzen 5 5600 generally outperforms it in all aspects and is priced just higher.
In our evaluation of the Ryzen 5 5600, it was noted that the production of PC silicon is not without flaws. AMD, Intel, and Nvidia usually produce a limited number of distinct chip designs within each product range. The flawless or nearly flawless chips are marketed as premium products, whereas those with imperfections have certain components deactivated and are sold as lower-tier chips.
The most evident illustration of this can be observed in the current GPU market. As of now, AMD’s Radeon RX 6000 series comprises eight graphics cards, yet only four chip designs are employed in the production of these products. The flagship Radeon RX 6900 XT features the “Navi 21” GPU in its unadulterated form. The chip is equipped with 5,120 stream processors; however, discarding the entire chip into the recycling bin would be wasteful if only a few of them are malfunctioning.
In order to minimize waste and maximize product profitability, AMD follows the industry standard of disabling malfunctioning parts of the silicon and marketing the resulting product as a lower-end model. This approach is evident in both the Radeon RX 6800 XT and the Radeon RX 6800, which have 4,608 and 3,840 stream processors, respectively.
Both AMD and Intel engage in similar practices with CPUs, such as disabling cores and adjusting features to produce lower-end components. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the Ryzen 5 5500, especially since its cores are not sourced from the same pool as most other AMD processors. The Ryzen 5 5500 actually started as one of AMD’s APUs, which stands for Accelerated Processing Units, or what the company now refers to as “Ryzen Processors with AMD Radeon Graphics.” To simplify, we will continue to use the term APU throughout the remainder of this evaluation.
The Ryzen 5 5500 appears to be a variant of the Ryzen 5 5600G with certain features disabled, adding to the complexity of its design. Unlike other Ryzen 5 processors, the Ryzen 5 5600G sacrifices cache space to accommodate a larger integrated graphics processor (IGP). For instance, while the Ryzen 5 5600X boasts 32MB of L3 cache, the Ryzen 5 5600G only offers 16MB. Although AMD could theoretically develop an APU with 32MB or more of L3 cache, the cost of production increases with each additional feature added to the chip, prompting AMD to reduce the cache size initially.
The Ryzen 5 5500, similar to the Ryzen 5 5600G, features a 16MB Level 3 cache and six CPU cores with simultaneous multithreading support, allowing for the handling of 12 software threads at once. Additionally, the processor is fully unlocked, providing the opportunity to overclock it for a slight performance boost.
The clock speeds of the Ryzen 5 5500 are lower compared to the 5600G, putting it at a slight disadvantage in terms of raw performance. The Ryzen 5 5600G features base and boost clocks of 3.9GHz and 4.4GHz respectively, while the Ryzen 5 5500 operates at a base clock of 3.6GHz and a boost clock of 4.2GHz. Additionally, similar to the 5600G, the 5500 utilizes a PCI Express 3.0 interface for graphics cards, as opposed to the PCI Express 4.0 interface present in the full-fledged Ryzen 5000 series processors.
The Ryzen 5 5500 stands out in the processor market due to its unique feature of having its IGP completely disabled. In contrast, the Ryzen 5 5600G boasts an integrated graphics setup comprising seven compute units with 64 stream processors each, totaling 448. While it is plausible that a malfunctioning part of the IGP led to its disablement in the 5500, it is uncommon to see such a significant portion of chips rendered inoperable. Another possibility is that the IGP was intentionally disabled to distinguish the Ryzen 5 5500 from AMD’s current APU offerings.
It is understandable if that is the decision, but we believe it is a mistake. The majority of Intel’s processors come with Iris Xe or other integrated graphics. While Intel’s IGPs may not be powerful for gaming, they are suitable for everyday activities such as web browsing and video streaming. This provides an advantage over many AMD CPUs that do not have IGPs, requiring the purchase of a separate graphics card.
The absence of on-chip graphics in AMD’s Ryzen processors significantly reduces their appeal, particularly for non-gaming systems such as family computers or office PCs. This is especially problematic given the recent overpricing of graphics cards. Even AMD’s APUs have been impacted by the surge in graphics prices, making them less desirable for non-gaming applications. If AMD had enabled just one or two compute units in the Ryzen 5 5500, it would have added a value-oriented appeal that many other AMD CPUs lack.
The Ryzen 5 5500 processor exhibits all the unfavorable design features of an APU without its major advantage. Its only redeeming quality is its affordable price, although even that is temporary.
The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is not a poor choice for a processor; although it may be slower than the Ryzen 5 5600, it comes at a slightly lower price point. If you are looking to maximize your PC build within a budget, the 5500 could be the ideal CPU for you.
While it is true that the Ryzen 5 5600 is a worthwhile investment, it is important to consider the heavy competition it faces from both AMD and Intel. If you are able to invest in a slightly higher cost, the Intel Core i5-11600K is a compelling alternative. Additionally, the newer Core i5-12400, which comes with integrated graphics, is likely to be a strong contender. Although the Ryzen 5 5500 is not a subpar processor, there are superior options available from both AMD and Intel for a slightly higher price.
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