I recently upgraded from a GTX 1650 Super to a used RX 5700 XT so I could make better use of a new 200 Hz 1440p monitor. The card came from a technician who repairs older hardware and includes a six-month warranty, so it was a much cheaper option than buying a newer GPU locally.
My current system uses a Ryzen 5 3600 and 16 GB of DDR4 RAM. I would like to upgrade the CPU without replacing the memory. My current motherboard is fairly old, and one of its four RAM slots has stopped working, so I am open to buying a replacement motherboard with four RAM slots and ARGB support. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are not necessary.
I mainly use the system for gaming, but I may also use it for programming and 3D protein modeling later. X3D processors are generally too expensive where I live, so I am looking for a good non-X3D AM4 option. I am in Argentina, where prices vary considerably, so I would prefer recommendations I can compare against local prices myself.
5 Answers
Since you are replacing the motherboard anyway, 14th-generation Intel with a DDR4-compatible board is another option if the local pricing is favorable. Something around a Core i5-14600K or 14600KF would be powerful for both gaming and multi-core work, but compare the total CPU, motherboard, and cooler cost against an AM4 upgrade before switching platforms.
For a straightforward AM4 upgrade, the Ryzen 5 5600 is probably the best value if you mainly game. It is noticeably faster than the 3600 while using the same platform and memory. If you want more longevity or expect heavier workloads, the Ryzen 7 5700X is a good step up with eight cores.
Do not overlook the RAM itself. Sixteen gigabytes may become a limitation in newer games and modeling workloads, especially if the kit is slow or running in single-channel mode. If possible, use two matching modules and check that the memory is running at its rated speed. A 5600 or 5700X paired with 32 GB of decent DDR4 would be a balanced setup for the RX 5700 XT.
The Ryzen 7 5800X is worth checking if it is substantially cheaper than the 5800X3D in your area. It offers eight cores and strong all-around performance for gaming, programming, and productivity, although the 5700X is usually easier to cool and may be the better deal if prices are close.
A Ryzen 5 5500X3D could be interesting if you can find it locally at a reasonable price, since it was aimed heavily at the South American market. However, if import fees push it close to $400, it stops making sense and a regular 5600, 5700X, or 5800X would be a better purchase.
I had not considered Intel because I was originally trying to stay on AM4, but I will compare the complete platform prices locally.