AMD Ryzen 5 4500 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor with Wraith Stealth Cooler
Bottom line: The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 6-Core ($100.00 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 04:13 UTC): Wraith Stealth cooler included, no separate cooler purchase needed; main trade-off: no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is mandatory to POST.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Wraith Stealth cooler included, no separate cooler purchase needed
- ✓ Unlocked multiplier for overclocking on a supporting board
- ✓ Listed by AMD among VR-Ready Premium Ryzen processors
Cons
- ✗ No integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is mandatory to POST
- ✗ Wraith Stealth is a low-profile cooler with limited overclocking headroom
- ✗ 6 cores trails 8-core chips in heavy multi-threaded rendering
- ✗ AMD does not publish clock speeds in this listing, so verify before buying
Manufacturer description
The AMD Ryzen 5 4500 puts 6 cores and 12 processing threads into a budget desktop build, and it arrives with the Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, so you are not budgeting for a separate air cooler on day one. AMD positions this Ryzen chip for fast productivity and gaming performance when it is paired with a discrete graphics card, which makes it a natural pick for a first gaming PC where the GPU takes the larger share of the budget. The multiplier is unlocked for overclocking, so you can push clocks on a motherboard and cooling setup that supports it rather than being capped at stock…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored AMD Ryzen 5 4500 6-Core using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to our editorial and benchmark analysis across the processors category. Compare with similarly-priced alternatives in the processors category before committing. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for processors of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Ryzen 5 4500 come with a cooler?
Yes. The Ryzen 5 4500 ships with AMD's Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, so you do not need to buy a separate CPU cooler to complete the build.
Can I overclock the Ryzen 5 4500?
Yes. AMD lists this processor as unlocked for overclocking. You will need a motherboard and BIOS that support CPU overclocking, and better cooling than the bundled Wraith Stealth if you push it hard.
Do I need a graphics card with the Ryzen 5 4500?
Yes. AMD describes this chip as delivering fast productivity and gaming performance when paired with a discrete graphics card, so plan on a separate GPU for your build.
How many cores and threads does the Ryzen 5 4500 have?
It has 6 cores and 12 processing threads, which covers gaming plus background tasks like Discord, streaming software, and browser tabs at the same time.
Is the Ryzen 5 4500 good enough for VR?
AMD offers select Ryzen VR-Ready Premium processors for the best possible VR experiences. Check the product listing to confirm the current VR-Ready designation and your headset's own CPU requirements.
Video review
The Ryzen 5 4500 - Is AMD's Cheapest 6 Core CPU Finally Worth Buying? — RandomGaminginHD on YouTube
Key Features
- For the best possible VR experiences, AMD offers select Ryzen VR-Ready Premium processors
- A fast and easy way to expand and accelerate the storage in a desktop PC with an AMD Ryzen processor
- Unlocked for Overclocking: Yes
Full Specifications
| Brand | AMD |
|---|---|
| Wattage | 65 watts |
| Platform | Windows |
| CPU Model | Ryzen 5 |
| CPU Speed | 4.1 GHz |
| CPU Socket | Socket AM4 |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Model Number | AMD Ryzen 5 4500 |
| Compatibility | PC |
| Item Type Name | Desktop Processor |
| Mfr Part Number | 100-100000644BOX |
| Processor Brand | AMD |
| Processor Count | 6 |
| Processor Speed | 4.1 GHz |
| Secondary Cache | 8 MB |
| CPU Manufacturer | AMD |
| Processor Series | Ryzen 5 |
| Processor Socket | Socket AM4 |
| Processor Core Count | 6 |
| Warranty Description | 3 Year |
Performance Data
View gaming FPS, AI inference throughput, and synthetic scores for the Ryzen 5 4500 — the core hardware component in this product. Benchmarks sourced from TechPowerUp, PassMark, and the r/LocalLLaMA community.
Ready to buy?
AMD Ryzen 5 4500 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor with Wraith Stealth Cooler is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
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