I recently upgraded to an RX 9070 XT, but I'm still using an AM4 system with a Ryzen 5 5600X. A Ryzen 7 5800X3D is currently on sale for $498 AUD. I'm planning to play at 1440p with 32GB of RAM—would the 5800X3D be a worthwhile upgrade, or should I keep the 5600X or consider another CPU instead?
4 Answers
The 5800X3D would be a substantial gaming upgrade from the 5600X, especially for improving 1% lows and reducing CPU limits in newer AAA games. It’s a strong way to extend the life of an AM4 system without replacing the motherboard and memory.
Before spending that much, check the Ryzen 7 5700X3D. It performs very similarly in games and is often considerably cheaper, making it a better value for an AM4 upgrade. I wouldn’t choose the regular 5800X over either X3D chip specifically for gaming.
I made the same jump from a 5600X to a 5800X3D alongside a 9070 XT, and the difference in games was very noticeable. The average FPS improved, but the smoother frame pacing and better minimums were the biggest benefits.
At 1440p, the 5600X may still be perfectly usable because the GPU usually becomes the limiting component. Whether you need an upgrade depends on your frame-rate target and the games you play. If you’re seeing stutters or low CPU-related frame times, the 5700X3D or 5800X3D should help noticeably.

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