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Stock-Clocked Operating Frequencies:
We use a combination of ASUS X570 and MSI B550 motherboard for checking frequencies and overclocking capabilities. The chips were cooled by a 280mm AIO.
Ryzen 5 3600XT versus Ryzen 5 3600X All-Core Loaded Frequency:
Our Ryzen 5 3600XT sample runs at 4250MHz all-core frequency in the Blender Classroom test.
This is around 150MHz higher than we recorded from our early-batch Ryzen 5 3600X that would tend to run at 4100MHz all-core frequency. The Precision Boost 2 algorithm had plenty of capacity available from a PPT and current perspective with these 95W TDP six-core chips. That is what helped allow the better silicon of the 3600XT to stretch its clocks by an additional 150MHz.
An extra 150MHz without any other differences is a promising early sign for the 3600XT versus our 3600X sample.
Ryzen 5 3600XT versus Ryzen 5 3600X Maximum Boost and Cinebench 1T Loaded Frequency:
Our mid-2019 manufactured Ryzen 5 3600X ran the Cinebench 1T workload with a real averaged operating frequency of around 4325-4350MHz based on the actual preferential cores loaded during the test.
By comparison, the Ryzen 5 3600XT and its higher rated maximum boost clock showed a sizable improvement. The new 6-core XT chip operated at a real averaged frequency of 4550MHz on the cores loaded during the workload, which is actually higher than AMD’s rated maximum boost clock of 4.5GHz. Motherboard shenanigans were not to blame for this better than expected boost clock behaviour, but we will point the finger towards our significantly enhanced 280mm AIO cooling solution.
I would argue that a 200-225MHz increase in the real operating frequencies during our monitored Cinebench 1T run is an impressive improvement from X to XT chip.
We also saw the actual core boost frequency regularly operating as high as 4.6GHz and frequently above 4.5GHz based on our HWiNFO data readings. In fact, all of the cores on our 3600XT sample were able to boost beyond 4.5GHz, even if just for a small period of time, as indicated by the ‘maximum’ readings in HWiNFO.
Wraith Spire Cooling:
It is important to note that our clock speed behaviour noted above is with the CPUs cooled by a strong 280mm Fractal AIO.
Using the bundled Wraith Spire cooler from the 3600XT, we recoded an operating clock speed of 4.125GHz for the Ryzen 5 3600XT compared to 4.25GHz with the AIO cooler. The operating temperature under the Wraith Spire cooler was also a little more than 10°C higher, despite operating with lower clocks and less system wide power draw.
The Wraith Spire is clearly a reasonable cooler for a six-core processor such as the Ryzen 5 3600XT, and we think AMD’s decision to continue its inclusion is correct. However, there is no denying that the budget top-down air cooler leaves performance on the table, operates loud at full 3600 RPM fan speed, and pushes temperatures higher than we would like to see given the chip’s power usage.
In other words, the upgrade to a better CPU cooler, even if it is simply a budget tower heatsink, is a justifiable move in our opinion. That is especially valid if you want any chance of enjoying the enhanced silicon quality of the Ryzen 5 3600XT via manual overclocking.
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