I'm looking to upgrade my friend's old Ryzen 7 2800 for his birthday, and I want to get the best AM4 CPU without switching motherboards or spending too much. I've considered getting him a Ryzen 7 7800X3D along with an MPG B650 EDGE motherboard, but the RAM prices are way too high right now. What would you recommend as the best AM4 CPU for around $500?
5 Answers
If your friend mainly games, the Ryzen 5800X3D is the best option, though it's been discontinued and can be tough to find at a reasonable price, often going above $500. You might be better off getting a Ryzen 5700X or a 5800X/T for under $200 instead, as they offer solid performance.
I just saw that Amazon is now selling the Ryzen 7 7600X3D. It might be a good option to consider if you're open to something newer and if it fits within your budget!
The Ryzen 5900XT is a great option too! It has 16 cores, which is more than enough power, and it's priced reasonably. Plus, it should keep up with most tasks for quite a while without being labeled as "too slow."
You could consider the Ryzen 5800X, 5800Xt, 5900X, or even the 5950XT. If you're willing to check platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace, keep an eye out for the 5800X3D—it'll outperform the others but is usually priced around $350-400 due to its scarcity now.
For gaming, the Ryzen 5800X3D is the top pick, but if you're looking at alternative options that are easier to find, the 5700X or 5900XT are also solid choices.
Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely check that out.