AMD Ryzen 5 1400, 1500X, 1600, & 1600X Release on April 11

By Steve Burke Published March 15, 2017 at 10:00 pm

Hardware

The AMD Ryzen 5 series is set to continue AMD’s launch of its new Zen architecture, debuting earlier this month with the Ryzen 7 (R7) CPUs. Thus far, we’ve seen the release of the 1800X flagship, 1700X, and 1700 CPUs (the last of which being our option of choice). AMD’s subsequent launches will be focused on the R5 line, announced today, and a later-specified R3 line. We’re looking at a retail release date of April 11 for the R5 1400, R5 1500X, R5 1600, and R5 1600X CPUs; the R3 CPUs, meanwhile, are expected for availability in 2H17.

AMD hasn’t fully revealed all the technical details of these SKUs at this time. We know enough of the basics, but will have to wait for more information on how the CCXs are configured in 6C/12T scenarios.

Here’s a listing of prices, to get started:

$170 – Ryzen R5 1400
$190 – Ryzen R5 1500X
$220 – Ryzen R5 1600
$250 – Ryzen R5 1600X

For base/boost clock and frequency specifics, defer to this table:

	R5 1400	R5 1500X	R5 1600	R5 1600X
Cores/Threads	4C/8T	4C/8T	6C/12T	6C/12T
Base/Boost	3.2/3.4GHz	3.5/3.7GHz	3.2/3.6GHz	3.6/4.0GHz
Stock Cooler	Wraith Stealth	Wraith Spire	Wraith Spire	None
TDP	65W	65W	65W	95W
Release Date	April 11, 2017	April 11, 2017	April 11, 2017	April 11, 2017
Price	$170	$190	$220	$250

We think the R5 CPUs are the ones to watch for our core audience, particularly when considering the R5 1400 and R5 1500X price:performance potential. We’ll be benchmarking these CPUs as close to launch as possible.

As for platforms, AMD is mostly suggesting that these CPUs belong (in terms of price) on B350 motherboards. Unlike Intel’s Z/X SKUs, AMD’s chipset SKUs all allow for CPU overclocking. Limitations will apply with regard to VRM thermals, considering the weak design of some boards, but the higher-end B350 units will allow CPU OC functionality. Considering the relative ease of overclocking for the R7 1700, and its corresponding performance (outmatching a stock 1800X in gaming), this is a good thing. Overclocking may well be worth it with R5 CPUs. We’ll test that in the eventual review.

Stay tuned.

- Steve Burke

Steve Burke

Steve started GamersNexus back when it was just a cool name, and now it's grown into an expansive website with an overwhelming amount of features. He recalls his first difficult decision with GN's direction: "I didn't know whether or not I wanted 'Gamers' to have a possessive apostrophe -- I mean, grammatically it should, but I didn't like it in the name. It was ugly. I also had people who were typing apostrophes into the address bar - sigh. It made sense to just leave it as 'Gamers.'"

First world problems, Steve. First world problems.

AMD Ryzen 5 1400, 1500X, 1600, & 1600X Release on April 11

Steve Burke

Related items