I previously had a Ryzen 5 3600, which I really enjoyed, but unfortunately, I damaged some pins while switching motherboards. I found the Ryzen 5500 on sale for about $60 during Prime Day. Is it still worth considering in 2025, or should I look for something better?
5 Answers
If all you need is a CPU to get your system up and running, then the 5500 will work. Otherwise, I’d suggest at least getting a 5600X for a better experience.
While the 5600 is a better chip and not too much more expensive, keep in mind that the 5500 is on sale for a reason—it's considered underwhelming. The cheapest used 5600 I've seen is around $90.
The Ryzen 5500 has less cache compared to the 3600, so it won't offer a significant upgrade for gaming. If you're looking for a real boost, consider the 5600 instead.
Honestly, the Ryzen 5500 wasn't that impressive even when it launched. Half the L3 cache and stuck on PCIe gen 3 makes it a lesser choice. I'd recommend looking for other options if you can.
I upgraded from a 2600 to a 5500 for about $65, and it's been decent for me. Given current prices, if you're just after a working CPU, it's a fair deal!
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