I'm trying to decide whether to keep my current AM4 setup and upgrade from a Ryzen 5 5600 to a Ryzen 7 5800X3D for about $320 before tax, or move to AM5 through a local Micro Center bundle. My current system has 32GB of 3600MHz memory and a B550 DS3H AC motherboard, and I'm planning to pair it with an RX 9070 XT for 1440p gaming. The AM5 options would include a Ryzen 5 7500X3D with a micro-ATX board, or possibly a Ryzen 5 7600X3D bundle if I replace my case. The bundles only include 16GB of memory in a single stick, though, and I usually have Spotify, a browser, Discord, and other programs open while gaming. Is the AM5 upgrade worth the extra cost, or would the 5800X3D be the better choice?
3 Answers
The AM5 bundle makes more sense if you’re comfortable selling your current parts and can be without the computer temporarily. You’d get a newer platform with a longer upgrade path, and you could replace the included single 16GB stick with a proper two-stick memory kit when your budget allows. Just remember that running one stick means single-channel memory, which can reduce performance.
I’d lean toward the 7600X3D bundle if you decide to move to AM5. Sixteen gigabytes should be usable for your current games and background apps, although 32GB is preferable. You could add a matching second stick later, or replace the kit entirely with a 2x16GB set for better dual-channel performance.
The 5800X3D should pair well with an RX 9070 XT and shouldn’t hold it back at 1440p. Since you already have 32GB of decent memory and a compatible motherboard, upgrading the CPU is the much cheaper route. If you’re spending around $600 on a platform change, it may make more sense to put some of that money toward a faster graphics card instead.
The bundle would actually be closer to $450, so the price difference isn’t quite as large as $600.