I'm running a Ryzen 5 5600X with an RX 9070 XT, 32 GB of RAM, and a 4K monitor. I mainly play World of Warcraft, which can be fairly CPU-heavy, and I'm considering upgrading to a Ryzen 7 5800X3D for about €330–€350.
For a similar CPU price, I could potentially move to a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, but switching to AM5 would also require a new motherboard and DDR5 memory. I'm unsure whether it makes sense to spend so much on a previous-generation AM4 processor, even though it would let me keep my current platform.
Another option is switching from 4K to 1440p. Would a 1440p display provide noticeably higher or smoother frame rates with the 9070 XT, or would the 5600X still limit performance in WoW? Would you upgrade the CPU, change monitors, keep the current setup, or save for a complete platform upgrade?
5 Answers
A 1440p monitor paired with the 9070 XT would give you more headroom and generally higher FPS, but the benefit depends on your target refresh rate. In WoW, crowded cities and raids may still be CPU-limited even at 1440p. For this specific game, I would prioritize the 5800X3D over changing resolution if you can find it at a reasonable price.
The best choice depends on current performance rather than the hardware specifications alone. Monitor your GPU usage and frame times in the areas where performance bothers you. If the GPU is below full utilization and one or two CPU threads are heavily loaded, the 5800X3D should help. Otherwise, keep the 5600X and wait for a more substantial platform upgrade.
The 5800X3D is still a strong gaming CPU, but €330–€350 is a lot for a dead-end platform. If your current performance is acceptable, waiting and saving for a full AM5 upgrade may provide better long-term value. The 5600X is not automatically a problem at 4K, since the GPU usually has more work to do there.
I would keep the 4K monitor rather than replacing it. A good monitor can last through several PC upgrades, and you can always render games at 1440p or lower settings when you need more performance. If you want higher frame rates, a 1440p display will help the 9070 XT, but it is not necessary just because you upgrade the CPU.
For WoW, the 5800X3D is a meaningful upgrade from the 5600X, especially for busy areas, raids, and Mythic+. The extra cache can improve frame-time consistency and reduce CPU-related bottlenecks. It also makes more financial sense if avoiding the cost of a new board and DDR5. Check your cooler and consider undervolting, since these chips can run warm.
That makes sense. Keeping the existing memory and motherboard does make the upgrade easier to justify.