I'm currently using a Ryzen 5 5500 and considering an upgrade. I initially aimed for either the 5700X3D or 5800X3D, but those are really hard to find right now. The only solid option I've come across is a Ryzen 5950X priced around €290.
I game at 1440p and dabble in video editing. I'm not looking to switch to AM5 because that would require a full system rebuild, which isn't feasible for my budget. My GPU is an RX 9060 XT with 16GB. At 1440p, I'm thinking the difference between an X3D model and the 5950X might not be significant since my performance could be limited by the GPU.
**Would upgrading to the 5950X really benefit me, or should I hold out for an X3D chip in the used market given the current scarcity?**
5 Answers
You could also check out the 5600X series—they’re cheaper and have decent performance improvements over the 5500. They support PCIe Gen 4 and usually cost about €120-130. Plus, you can sell your old 5500 for some extra cash!
You could look for a 5500X3D on AliExpress. They usually go for around €150-180, and you can sometimes use coupon codes to get an even better deal. The 5500X3D has significantly improved specs over the 5500, like a larger cache and PCIe 4.0 support. However, for serious video editing, you might want to aim for a higher core count chip like the 5800XT or the 5700X.
A quick note, the X3D models won't have 16 cores like the 5950X. If you're looking for the absolute best option, the 5950X is probably your best bet due to its core count and cache size. If video editing is crucial, it’s a solid investment. If gaming takes priority, you might want to consider the 5800 or 5800XT as alternatives.
If video editing is a big part of what you do, the 5950X is definitely worth considering. But if video editing is more of a side hobby for you, spending €300 might not be justified; a 5800X or 5800XT might be more budget-friendly and still give you decent gaming performance.
Honestly, for gaming, I'm not sure the jump to the 5950X is worth the price. You might find better value elsewhere.
I found some options for the 5800X3D or even 5700X3D on there. Is it really safe to buy high-end components from AliExpress?