AMD’s Ryzen 5 5500X3D has quietly entered the spotlight after new benchmark results revealed its potential. Originally overlooked due to limited regional availability, the chip is now gaining recognition for its improved performance. Built as a budget alternative within the Ryzen 5000 series, the 5500X3D incorporates AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology, which has delivered noticeable gains in multi-core workloads and productivity tests.
Recent Geekbench results posted from a Linux system show the processor achieving around 1,932 points in single-core tests, closely matching the standard Ryzen 5 5500. The bigger story comes from multi-core performance, where the 5500X3D shows roughly a 12 percent improvement. The test was carried out on an Asus TUF Gaming B550M-Plus WiFi II motherboard paired with 32GB of memory, suggesting that the results came from a typical user setup rather than a specialized testing environment.
The chip features six cores and twelve threads with a base frequency of 3.0 GHz and a boost clock advertised at 4.0 GHz. Interestingly, the benchmark data reported clock speeds as high as 4.3 GHz, which could indicate either BIOS optimizations or slight variances in how the sample was configured. With a rated thermal design power of 105W, the chip shares the same specification as its non-X3D counterpart, though the standard 5500 typically consumes less power under load.
What sets the 5500X3D apart is the jump in cache capacity. Thanks to 3D V-Cache, the processor carries 96MB of L3 cache compared to the 16MB on the regular 5500. This enhancement addresses one of the biggest criticisms of the original chip, which was seen as a scaled-down version of the 5600. By restoring and expanding the cache, AMD has effectively created a more capable budget CPU that better fits the needs of gamers and creators.
The Ryzen 5 5500X3D has also appeared in PassMark results, where it outperforms the standard 5500 by about six percent in multi-threaded workloads, while trailing the Ryzen 5 5600X3D by a similar margin. Early retail listings in Mexico and Argentina show the chip priced near $185 before taxes. At this level, it makes sense for regions where price sensitivity is high and AM4 systems are still widely used. However, in markets like the United States and Europe, where competitive options are abundant, the 5500X3D may struggle to find the same appeal.
Overall, the Ryzen 5 5500X3D strikes an interesting balance. It matches its predecessor in single-core speed, improves multi-core efficiency, and introduces a massive cache increase that could translate to strong gaming performance once tested further. For users in markets where affordability and AM4 compatibility matter most, the 5500X3D represents the Ryzen 5 5500 many enthusiasts originally hoped to see.
