I'm currently using a Ryzen 5 5500 with an RTX 4070 Ti, but the CPU feels too weak in demanding games. I mainly play graphically intensive titles at 1440p and I'm planning to buy a used AM4 processor for under $150. Which CPU would be the best upgrade, and would it be smarter to save more money and go straight for a Ryzen 7 5700X3D or another X3D chip?
3 Answers
Depending on your location and local used prices, look for a Ryzen 5 5600X3D or Ryzen 5 5500X3D. Either X3D model can be a better gaming upgrade than a standard 5700X, particularly when you’re trying to keep a powerful graphics card fed at 1440p. Availability and pricing vary a lot, so checking nearby retailers or used listings is important.
For a strict $150 limit, the Ryzen 7 5700X is a strong option, especially if you also do more than gaming. It gives you eight cores and is generally a better all-around processor than the 5500, but the 5700X3D is still the more compelling upgrade if gaming performance is your priority.
If you can stretch your budget, saving for a 5700X3D is probably the best move. AM4 doesn’t have many meaningful upgrade options left, and the extra 3D V-Cache can noticeably improve gaming performance and frame-time consistency compared with the Ryzen 5 5500. A 5600X3D could also be worth considering if it’s available locally for around $180.
That’s probably the best long-term choice. Even though the X3D chips may have similar clock speeds or core counts, their larger cache can make a substantial difference in CPU-limited games.