AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500: Review and Practical Guide for Budget Builds in 2025

April 2025

Introduction: Why is the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 Still Relevant?

Despite the release of new generations of processors, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 remains a popular solution for budget PCs. Its secret lies in the balance of price, energy efficiency, and sufficient performance for basic tasks. In 2025, this chip can be found on sale for $80–100, making it attractive for office systems and upgrading old computers. Let’s explore why and for whom it is worth paying attention to.

1. Key Specifications: First Generation Zen Architecture

Architecture and Process Technology

The Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is built on the Zen (1st generation) microarchitecture with a 14nm manufacturing process. It is one of the first AMD processors that demonstrated the company’s ability to compete with Intel in the multi-core CPU segment.

Performance

- 4 cores / 8 threads — multi-threading aids in rendering tasks and multitasking.

- Base frequency of 3.5 GHz, Turbo up to 3.7 GHz — enough for office applications and light gaming.

- 16 MB L3 cache — reduces latency when working with data.

- Geekbench 6: 1013 (Single-Core), 2841 (Multi-Core) — results are close to Intel Core i5-7500, but with SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) support.

Key Features

- Precision Boost Technology — automatic overclocking depending on the load.

- ECC Memory Support — useful for workstations.

- Low TDP (65W) — saves energy and reduces cooling requirements.

2. Compatible Motherboards: AM4 Socket and Chipsets

The AM4 socket is a versatile platform that supports AMD processors from 2017 to 2022. Suitable for the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 are:

- Budget chipsets: A320, A520 — suitable for basic builds (e.g., ASUS Prime A320M-K, $60–70).

- Mid-range: B350, B450, B550 — support overclocking and PCIe 4.0 (on B550). For example, MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX ($90–110).

- High-end: X370, X470 — for enthusiasts but excessive for this CPU.

Selection Tips

- BIOS updates may be needed on 300-series boards (A320/B350/X370).

- For PCIe 4.0, B550/X570 chipsets are required, but the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 works only with PCIe 3.0.

3. Supported Memory: DDR4 and Configuration Tips

The processor works with DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode. Recommendations:

- Frequencies: Officially supports up to 2666 MHz, but on many boards can be overclocked to 3200 MHz (e.g., Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB 3200 MHz, $45).

- Capacity: Up to 64 GB (dependent on the motherboard).

- Modes: Enabling XMP in BIOS will speed up memory performance.

Important: DDR5 is not supported — this is a major limitation for future upgrades.

4. Power Supplies: How to Avoid Overpaying?

With a TDP of 65W, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is not demanding in terms of power:

- Without a discrete graphics card: A 300–350W power supply is sufficient (e.g., be quiet! System Power 10 350W, $40).

- With a graphics card like NVIDIA GTX 1650 or AMD RX 6400: A 450–500W power supply is recommended (Corsair CX450, $55).

- Tip: Don’t skimp on the PSU — quality models protect components from power surges.

5. Pros and Cons: Who is This Ideal For?

Pros:

- Low price ($80–100) and energy consumption.

- Support for multi-threading and ECC memory.

- Compatibility with a wide range of AM4 motherboards.

Cons:

- Outdated 14nm process technology (newer Ryzen use 5–7nm).

- Lower performance in single-threaded tasks compared to modern CPUs.

- Lack of PCIe 4.0 and DDR5 support.

6. Use Cases: Where the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 Still Excels

- Office PCs: Working with documents, browsing, Zoom.

- Home Media Center: Streaming video (4K), light editing in DaVinci Resolve.

- Servers/NAS: With ECC memory, suitable for data storage.

- Gaming: Paired with a graphics card like the GTX 1660 Super — comfortable gaming in CS2, Dota 2, GTA V at medium settings (1080p).

Practical Example: A user built a PC with Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, ASRock B450M-HDV and RX 6400 for $300 — the system runs Fortnite at 60 FPS (1080p, medium settings).

7. Comparison with Competitors

- Intel Core i5-7500 (2017): Similar price in the second-hand market, but Ryzen has more threads and supports modern platforms.

- Ryzen 3 3100 (2020): Newer (7nm), higher IPC, but more expensive ($100–120).

- Intel Core i3-10100F (2020): Better in single-threaded tasks but weaker in multi-threaded scenarios.

Conclusion: The Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 outperforms its contemporaries but loses to new budget CPUs like the Ryzen 5 5500.

8. Practical Assembly Tips

1. Motherboard: Choose B450 for a balance of price and functionality.

2. Cooling: The stock Wraith Stealth cooler is sufficient, but for quieter operation, consider the DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 ($20).

3. Memory: 16 GB DDR4-3200 is the optimal choice.

4. Storage: An NVMe SSD (e.g., Kingston NV2 500 GB, $35) will speed up system boot times.

5. Upgrade: Later, you can install Ryzen 5 5600 (if BIOS is updated).

9. Final Conclusion: Who Is the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 Suitable For?

This processor is worth choosing if:

- Your budget is tight, and you need a PC for office work, studying, or as a media center.

- You are upgrading an old AM4 system and do not want to change the motherboard.

- You need a temporary CPU before buying a Ryzen 5 5600/7600.

Why in 2025? Despite its age, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 remains one of the most affordable ways to enter the AM4 ecosystem with upgrade potential. However, for gaming and serious work tasks, it’s better to consider newer models.