Hey everyone! After a five-year break from PC gaming, I'm gearing up to build my new rig. I'm considering going with a 6-core CPU, specifically the Ryzen 5 9600X, but I've seen that some upcoming AAA games like DOOM: The Dark Age and Borderlands 4 list 8-core CPUs as their minimum requirement. I'm also looking at the Ryzen 7 7700X, which is about $70 more or sometimes available used for around $220. Is it worth the extra investment, or will the 9600X still hold up? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
4 Answers
If you're building in 2025, it might be wise to consider an 8-core CPU just to be safe. You never know when some AAA title is going to push your system or if Windows will be running extra processes in the background.
The 8-core recommendation is often based on older gen CPUs. I have a 9600X, and it runs titles like DOOM and Indiana Jones without any hiccups!
The Ryzen 5 is a solid choice for your build. Most games don't even utilize 6 cores fully, so it won't be a problem at all. You can expect to play pretty much any game without issues!
Honestly, the whole 8-core requirement for games is a bit overblown. Six cores will be totally fine for quite a while. In fact, the Ryzen 5 9600X is efficient, runs cooler, and performs really well—sometimes even better than the 7700X in certain scenarios. I'd say stick with the 9600X unless you find a great deal on the 7700X!
Thanks for the advice! I've been leaning towards the 9600X to save some cash, but those 8-core specs made me second-guess. I think I’ll go with the 9600X unless an amazing deal on the 7700X pops up.
That’s reassuring to hear! Do you have Precision Boost Overdrive turned on for your 9600X?