We tested the Ryzen 5 1500X, mainstream CPU from AMD’s new Ryzen 5 lineup. It has four cores, eight threads, 3.5 GHz base clock, 3.7 GHz turbo clock, TDP of 65 W, and uses the new AM4 socket. Check it out!
After several years, AMD finally launched a new generation of CPUs, based on a brand new architecture, called Zen, using the new AM4 socket. The first CPUs based on this new socket are called Ryzen 7 and they are high-end processors. AMD now launched the Ryzen 5 (mainstream) processors, and the Ryzen 3 (entry) models will be available soon.
There are, so far, four Ryzen 5 models: the Ryzen 5 1600X (6 cores, 4.0 GHz maximum clock), the Ryzen 5 1600 (6 cores, 3.6 GHz maximum clock), the Ryzen 5 1500X (4 cores, 3.7 GHz maximum clock,) and the Ryzen 5 1400 (4 cores, 3.4 GHz maximum clock). All of them have the SMT (Simultaneous Multi-Threading) technology, similar to Intel’s Hyper-Threading technology, which simulates two logic cores on each physical core.
Ryzen CPUs use the new AM4 socket, and are compatible with DDR4 memory. This means they are incompatible with “old” motherboards that use AM3+ and FM2+ sockets. They have no integrated video, but the AM4 socket supports integrated video, because future APUs that use this socket will have this feature.
These new CPUs are manufactured under 14 nm “FinFET” technology. These CPUs are build with “Core Complex” (CCX) modules, and each CCX has four cores. Each core has 128 kiB L1 cache and 512 kiB L2 cache, and each CCX has an 8 MiB L3 cache.
The Ryzen 5 1500X have two CCXs, with two disabled cores each, so its configuration is called 2+2. Its base clock is 3.5 GHz, and it can uses a core boost clock up to 3.6 GHz on all cores, and 3.7 GHz boost on up to two cores. There is also another clock rate named XFR, of 3.9 GHz, but AMD don’t let clear when this clock is actually enabled.
Ryzen CPUs have unlocked clock multiplier, which allows the user to overclocking it simply by changing the settings on the motherboard setup, if it uses one of the chipsets compatible with this feature (B350 e X370).
Besides that, Ryzen CPUs have a set of features called “SenseMI”, where the CPU detects and controls the clock in 25 MHz steps, according to several factors.
The Ryzen 5 1500X comes with the Wraith Spire cooler, the same that comes with the Ryzen 7 1700.
The direct competitor of the Ryzen 5 1500X is the Core i5-7400. So, we compared the Ryzen 5 1500X to the Core i5-7400, and we also included in the comparison the Ryzen 5 1600X, the Core i5-6500, and the Core i5-7600K.
Figure 1 shows the box of the Ryzen 5 1500X.
Figure 1: Ryzen 5 1500X package
In Figure 2 you see the box contents: a small manual, a case sticker, and the CPU itself.
Figure 2: box contents
In Figure 3 you see the bottom of the Wraith Spire cooler.
Figure 3: base of the Wraith Spire cooler
In Figure 3 you see the Ryzen 5 1500X processor.
Figure 4: the Ryzen 5 1500X processor
As the Ryzen CPUs have no integrated video, we used a GeForce GTX 1080 video card on all tests.
Let’s compare the main specs of the reviewed CPUs in the next page.
[nextpage title=”The Reviewed CPUs”]
In the tables below, we compare the main features of the CPUs included in our review.
| CPU | Cores | HT/SMT | IGP | Internal Clock | Turbo Clock | Core | Tech. | TDP | Socket | Price |
| Ryzen 5 1500X | 4 | Sim | No | 3.5 GHz | 3.7 GHz | Summit Ridge | 14 nm | 65 W | AM2 | USD 190 |
| Core i5-7400 | 4 | No | Yes | 3.0 GHz | 3.5 GHz | Kaby Lake | 14 nm | 65 W | LGA1151 | USD 190 |
| Core i5-6500 | 4 | No | Yes | 3.2 GHz | 3.6 GHz | Skylake | 14 nm | 65 W | LGA1151 | USD 205 |
| Ryzen 5 1600X | 6 | Yes | No | 3.6 GHz | 4.0 GHz | Summit Ridge | 14 nm | 95 W | AM4 | USD 250 |
| Core i5-7600K | 4 | No | Yes | 3.8 GHz | 4.2 GHz | Kaby Lake | 14 nm | 91 W | LGA1151 | USD 240 |
Below you can see the memory configuration for each CPU.
| CPU | L2 Cache | L3 Cache | Memory Support | Memory Channels |
| Ryzen 5 1500X | 4 x 512 kiB | 2 x 8 MiB | Up to DDR4-2667 | 2 |
| Core i5-7400 | 4 x 256 kiB | 6 MiB | Up to DDR4-2400 or DDR3L-1600 | 2 |
| Core i5-6500 | 4 x 256 kiB | 6 MiB | Up to DDR4-2400 or DDR3L-1600 | 2 |
| Ryzen 5 1600X | 6 x 512 kiB | 2 x 8 MiB | Up to DDR4-2667 | 2 |
| Core i5-7600K | 4 x 256 KiB | 6 MiB | Up to DDR4-2400 or DDR3L-1600 | 2 |
[nextpage title=”How We Tested”]During our benchmarking sessions, we used the configuration listed below. Between our benchmarking sessions, the only variable devicand was the CPU being tested, besides the motherboard, which had to be replaced to match the different CPUs.
Hardware Configuration
- Motherboard (AM4): ASRock X370 Taichi
- Motherboard (LGA1151): Gigabyte AORUS Z270X-Gaming 7
- Memory: 16 GiB DDR4-3200, two Geil Dyna4 (GEX416GB3200C16D) 8 GiB memory modules configured at 3200 MHz
- Boot drive: WD Blue 1,000 GiB SSD
- Video Card: GeForce GTX 1080
- Video Monitor: Philips 236VL
- Power Supply: Corsair VS500
Operating System Configuration
- Windows 10 Home 64-bit
- NTFS
- Video resolution: 1920 x 1080 60 Hz
Driver Versions
- NVIDIA driver version: 381.65
Software Used
- 3DMark 1.5.915
- Cinebench R15
- CPU-Z 1.78
- DivX 10.6
- Media Espresso 6.7
- PCMark 8
- Photoshop CC
- WinRAR 4.2
- Dirt Rally
- GTA V
- Hitman
- Mad Max
- Rise of the Tomb Rider
Error Margin
We adopted a 3% error margin. Thus, differences below 3% cannot be considered relevant. In other words, products with a performance difference below 3% should be considered as having similar performance.
[nextpage title=”PCMark 8″]
PCMark 8 is a benchmarking software that uses real-world applications to measure the computer performance. We ran three tests: Home, which includes web browsing, writing, light gaming, photo editing, and video chat tests; Creative, that includes web surfing, video editing, group video chat, video conversion, and gaming; and Work, which runs tasks such as writing documents, web browsing, spreadsheets, editing, and video chatting. Let’s see the results.
On the PCMark 8 Home benchmark, the Ryzen 5 1500X performed similarly to the Core i5-7400.
On the Creative benchmark, the Ryzen 5 1500X also performed similarly to the Core i5-7400.
On the Work benchmark, also the Ryzen 5 1500X and the Core i5-7400 performed similarly.
[nextpage title=”3DMark”]
3DMark is a program with a set of several 3D benchmarks. Fire Strike runs a “heavy” DirectX 11 simulation. Sky Diver also measures DirectX 11 performance, and is aimed on average computers. The Cloud Gate benchmark measures DirectX 10 performance, and the Ice Storm Extreme measures DirectX 9 performance and is targeted to entry-level computers, so we don’t ran it.
On Fire Strike, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 7% faster than the Core i5-7400.
On the Sky Diver benchmark, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 11% faster than the Core i5-7400.
On the Cloud Gate benchmark, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 46% faster than the Core i5-7400.
[nextpage title=”Performance in programs”]
Cinebench R15
Cinebench R15 is based on the Cinema 4D software. It is very useful to measure the performance gain obtained by the presence of several processing cores while rendering heavy 3D images. Rendering is an area where a bigger number of cores helps a lot, because usually this kind of software recognize several processors (Cinebench R15, for example, can use up to 256 processing cores).
We ran the CPU benchmark, which renders a complex image using all the processing cores (real and virtual) to speed up the process. The result is given as a score.
On Cinebench R15 CPU benchmark, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 45% faster than the Core i5-7400.
CPU-Z
On its current version, the well-known hardware identification software CPU-Z comes with a benchmarking tool, which measures CPU performance for one core and for all available cores.
On the single thread benchmark, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 26% faster than the Core i5-7400.
On the multiple thread benchmark, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 25% faster than the Core i5-7400.
Handbrake
Handbrake is an open-source video converting tool. We converted a Full HD, six-minute long .mov video file into an .MP4 file, using the “Fast 1080p30” output profile. The results below are given in seconds, so the lower the better.
On Handbrake, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 29% faster than the Core i5-7400.
DivX
We used the DivX converter, a tool included in the DivX package, in order to measure the encoding performance using this codec. The DivX codec is capable of recognizing and using all available cores and the SSE4 instruction set.
We converted a Full HD, six-minute long .mov video file into an .avi file, using the “HD 1080p” output profile. The results below are given in seconds, so the lower the better.
On DivX encoding, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 11% slower than the Core i5-7400.
Media Espresso
Media Espresso is a video conversion program that uses the graphics processing unit of the video engine to speed up the conversion process. We converted a 1 GiB, 1920x1080i, 23,738 kbps, .mov video file to a smaller 320×200, H.264, .MP4 file for viewing on a smartphone. The results below are given in seconds, so the lower the better.
Here the Ryzen 5 1500X performed similarly to the Core i5-7400.
Photoshop CC
The best way to measure the performance of a CPU is by using real programs. The problem, of course, is to create a methodology that offers precise results. For Photoshop CC, we used a script named “Retouch Artist Speed Test,” which applies a series of filters to a standard image and gives the time Photoshop takes to run all of them. The results are given in seconds, so the less, the best.
In this test, both the processors performed the same way.
WinRAR
Another task where the CPU is very demanded is on file compacting. We ran a test compacting a folder with 8 GiB on 6.813 files to a file, using WinRAR 4.2. The graph below shows the time taken on each test.
On WinRAR, also the Ryzen 5 1500X and Core i5-7400 performed similarly.
[nextpage title=”Gaming Performance”]
Battlefield 1
Battlefield 1 (BF1) is a first person shooter launched in October 2016, base on the Frostbite engine. To benchmark using this game, we played the same misson on the campaign mode, in Full HD and graphic settings as “high”, measuring the framerate with FRAPS.
The results below are expressed in frames per second.
On Battlefield 1, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 8% slower than the Core i5-7400.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (or simply CS:GO) is a very popular FPS, launched in august 2012, that uses the Source engine, which is DirectX 9. We benchmarked it playing the “Inferno” map against bots, in Full HD and graphic settings as “high”, measuring the framerate with FRAPS.
The results below are expressed in frames per second.
On this game, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 16% slower than the Core i5-7400.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is an action RPG with FPS elements, launched in August 2016, that uses the Dawn engine, being compatible with DirectX 12. We tested it using the benchmark included in the game, with DirectX 12 enabled, Full HD, and graphic options as “medium”.
The results below are expressed in frames per second.
On this game, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 20% slower than the Core i5-7400.
Dirt Rally
Dirt Rally is an off-road racing game released in April 2015, using Ego engine. To measure performance using this game, we ran the performance test included in the game, in 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution and image quality configured as “medium” and MSAA off.
The results below are expressed in frames per second (fps).
In this game, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 19% slower than the Core i5-7400.
Doom
Doom is an FPS/horror/sci-fi game launched in May 2016, that used the id Tech 6 engine. We tested the performance in this game, with the API OpenGL with quality options “high” and FXAA on, measuring the framerate with FRAPS three times.
The results below are expressed in fps and they are the mean between the three collected results.
In this game, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 15% slower than the Core i5-7400.
Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V, or simply GTA V, is an open-world action game released for PCs in April of 2015, using the RAGE engine. In order to measure the performance on this game, we ran the performance test of the game, measuring the framerate with FRAPS. We ran GTA V at Full HD, with all image quality set as “high” and MSAA off.
The results below are expressed in frames per second.
On GTA V, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 12% slower than the Core i5-7400.
Hitman
Hitman is an action/stealth game, launched in March 2016, that uses a DirectX 12 compatible version of the Glacier 2 engine. To measure performance in this game, we ran the benchmark in it, measuring the framerate with FRAPS. We ran this game with DirectX 12 enabled, with image quality set as “high”.
The results below, in Full HD and 4K, are expressed in frames per second.
On Hitman, the Ryzen 5 1500X performed similarly to the Core i5-7400.
Mad Max
Mad Max is an open-world action game launched in September of 2015, using the Avalanche engine. In order to measure the performance using this game, we ran its intro, measuring the framerate with FRAPS three times. We ran the game with image quality set as “high”.
The results below are expressed in fps and they are the mean between the three collected results.
On Mad Max, all the CPUs performed similarly.
Rainbow Six Siege
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege is a tactical FPS game launched in december 2015, using the AnvilNext engine, which is DirectX 11. In order to measure the performance using this game, we ran its built-in benchmark, in Full HD and with image quality set as “high”.
The results below are expressed in fps.
On this game, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 8% slower than the Core i5-7400.
Rise of the Tomb Rider
Rise of the Tomb Rider is an adventure/action game launched in January of 2016, based on Foundation engine. In order to measure the performance using this game, we ran the benchmark included on it, using Full HD resolution and graphics quality set to “medium”.
The results below are expressed in frames per second.
Also on Rise of the Tomb Rider, the Ryzen 5 1500X was 48% slower than the Core i5-7400.
The Witcher 3 – Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an open-world RPG released in May of 2015 and based on the REDengine 3 engine. In order to measure the performance on this game, we walked around at the first scene of the game, measuring the frame rate with FRAPS three times. We ran the game with image quality set to “ultra.”
The results below are expressed in fps and they are the mean between the three collected results.
On Rise of the Tomb Raider, all the CPUs performed the same way.
[nextpage title=”Overclocking”]
All the Ryzen processors have unlocked clock multiplier, which means you can overclocking it just by changing its multiplier, as long as the motherboard has this feature.
We were able to configure the CPU to run stable at 3,900 GHz (100 MHz reference clock and x39.0 multiplier), with the original voltages.
It may be possible to reach higher frequencies if you “play” with the available adjusts, as long as you have a good power supply, motherboard, and cooling system. It is also good to keep in mind that the overclock capability depends on pure luck, since two CPUs of same model can reach different maximum clocks.
[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]
We already tested the Ryzen 7 1700X, the Ryzen 7 1700, and the Ryzen 5 1600X. In all of those tests, we concluded that they are CPUs with high performance in applications that use paralelism (which means they can use all the threads of the CPU,) but they cannot achieve the same performance that their direct competitor in games.
With the Ryzen 5 1500X, the story wasn’t different: compared to the Core i5-7400, that costs the same, it is faster (or similar) in most of the applications, but a little slower in games. Note, however, that the difference was relatively small (except on Rise of the Tomb Raider, which seems to be unfriendly to the Zen architecture) and that the Ryzen 5 1500x don’t become a bottleneck in any test, which means it is indeed a good option for a budget gaming setup: its competitor only offers a slightly better cost/benefit ratio.
However, we have to kee in mind its good multitasking performance, which may favor, for example, recording or live broadcasting of your matches. It is also important to keep in mind that it is capable of a reasonable overclocking.
So, the Ryzen 5 1500X is a good CPU with a great cost/benefit ratio, and it is a good choice in the case you prefer the AMD platform.
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