I'm putting together a gaming rig centered around my RX 7800XT, aiming for smooth 1440p gameplay at 240Hz. I'm stuck deciding between two CPUs around the $400 CAD mark: the Ryzen 7 9700X, which is an 8-core CPU good for multitasking, and the Ryzen 5 7600X3D, boasting a 3D V-Cache that's known for better gaming performance despite having only 6 cores. The 7600X3D runs about $130 CAD cheaper than its higher-end counterpart, the 7800X3D, but the 9700X has two extra cores that might help with future games and multitasking. I want to know which CPU would give me a smooth high FPS experience for both competitive and AAA games. Also, I'd like recommendations for a compatible motherboard that has WiFi 6E, solid VRMs, and decent ports without being overly expensive. What do you all think?
6 Answers
Honestly, when it comes to gaming, you only need at least 4 cores, so the 7600X3D should work perfectly for you. Pair it with a TUF B650 or B850 motherboard, and you’re good to go!
I would go for the 9700X along with a B850 mATX board that includes the features you're looking for. If you need to stick to a tighter budget, a B650 works too; just make sure to update the BIOS afterward!
What’s your overall budget for the build? That’s super important because you’ll need to think about the whole system, not just one component. Knowing your total budget could help others suggest a better list for you.
Choosing based on future performance can be tricky. If gaming is your priority, the 7600X3D is currently a stronger CPU. Even if the 9700X has more cores, it's unlikely it will significantly outperform the 7600X3D in gaming in the long run. I've built gaming PCs for over 25 years, and rarely do CPUs show a dramatic performance change over time.
I faced a similar decision recently and opted for the 7600X3D since I mainly game. Benchmarks indicate that the 3D cache noticeably boosts performance over having more cores. I also paired mine with a Gigabyte B850 Gaming X motherboard (it has WiFi 6E) and some fast RAM! Check out this video for some insights: [Hardware Unboxed](https://youtu.be/7L9rPNSuPCA?si=I7j-jOzk4ArKd7yO).
I would go with the 9700X. The 7600X3D is only slightly faster in games (around 5%), but the 9700X performs better in productivity tasks, which might matter to you later on.
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