Performance comparison: which is faster?
Ryzen 5 1600 (AMD, 2017) and AMD FX-9590 (AMD, 2014) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: Ryzen 5 1600 is about 13.6% faster
The sockets differ (AM4 / AM3+), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | Ryzen 5 1600 | FX-9590 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 12,500 | 11,000 |
| Generation | Ryzen 1000 | FX |
| Socket | AM4 | AM3+ |
| Release Year | 2017 | 2014 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | Radeon RX 6600 | GeForce GTX 1080 |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | Ryzen 5 1600 |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | FX-9590 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
Ryzen 5 1600 is about 13.6% higher by score (Ryzen 5 1600: 12500 points / FX-9590: 11000 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
Ryzen 5 1600 is Ryzen 1000, while FX-9590 is FX.The sockets differ (AM4 / AM3+), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, Radeon RX 6600 pairs well with Ryzen 5 1600 and GeForce GTX 1080 pairs well with FX-9590. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
