I'm currently using a Ryzen 7 3700X and I'm looking for the best AM4 CPU available for around $300 or less, specifically for gaming purposes. I've heard a lot about the x3d models, but they are quite pricey. My graphics card is an RX 5700, so I'm keen on optimizing my performance while keeping the budget in check. Any recommendations?
4 Answers
The Ryzen 5 5600X is definitely the best bang for your buck if you're focused on gaming performance. You really only need to look beyond it if you have a top-tier GPU or need extra power for non-gaming tasks.
If you’re considering the AM4 Ryzen 5000 series, the 5600, 5600X, 5700X, and 5800X are all great options. They perform within 2% of each other in gaming, so unless you're planning on utilizing a lot of extra cores, the 5600X is a solid choice for gaming. Just remember that the 5900X and 5950X don't offer much speed improvement for typical gaming.
To echo what some others have said, for gaming, anything above the 5800XT just isn’t worth the money right now. In the U.S., for instance, you can snag the 5600XT for about $155 and the 5800XT for around $212. If you have the budget and want something that'll last longer, go for the 5800XT, but the 5600XT is great if you want to save up for your next platform upgrade.
You might find used 5950X chips selling for around $250-280, especially if the seller is keen to make a quick sale. Just keep an eye on the condition!

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