I'm currently using a Ryzen 7 2700X paired with an Asus TUF B450-Plus Gaming motherboard, 64 GB of RAM, and a 4070 TI Super. Lately, I've been experiencing some issues with the CPU, and I use this setup for both gaming and SQL/Data Analytics work. I'd prefer not to replace my motherboard since that would require a lot of effort, so I'm considering the Ryzen 7 5800XT or the Ryzen 9 5900XT, as they seem to be the best options according to my compatibility research. Is there a better CPU I should consider, and is the extra cost of the 5900XT justified for my needs?
3 Answers
If you want the best option, go for the 5900XT. However, if you're mainly focused on gaming, an x3D model might serve you better, but those have been hard to find at regular prices recently.
You could find used 5700X or 5800X CPUs for around $120, but availability can vary.
The 5800X is a solid choice and should be cheaper while offering nearly the same performance as the 5800XT. The 5800XT is essentially a bin of the 5900XT, and if you don’t need to handle heavy multitasking, the 5900XT might be overkill. Unless you're planning to do extreme tasks (like video rendering while gaming), sticking with the 5800X should be sufficient.
I noticed the 5800XT is only about $30 more than the 5800X right now during a sale. I work a lot with SQL Server which heavily utilizes multiple cores, so having more than 8 cores isn't a problem for me.

That sounds great, but finding them at that price here in Australia is tough. They keep going out of stock, and importing from overseas raises concerns about warranty.