I'm currently on the AM4 platform and unable to get DDR5 RAM because prices have skyrocketed, with even basic kits now costing around $420. My system has an RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and an i5-10400F, but I'm feeling a bottleneck from the CPU. I have 2x8GB of 3200MHz DDR4 RAM, and I'm looking to upgrade on a budget. The two options I'm contemplating are the Ryzen 5 5600X for $105 or the Ryzen 7 5700X3D for $200. Benchmarks from HardwareUnboxed suggest the 5700X3D offers about 25% more FPS than the 5600X for an additional 90% in price. Initially, I thought that wasn't a huge deal, but considering I don't plan on upgrading my system for a couple of years, I want to future-proof it as much as possible. I play a lot of CPU-intensive games like Dota 2 where stable performance in teamfights is crucial. Will the 5700X3D hold up better in the coming years compared to the 5600X? Or is the 5600X sufficient as long as I don't need the extra cores and 3D cache? I'm also open to any CPU recommendations within a $100-$200 budget. I've heard some Intel's 14th Gen supports DDR4, but they are quite pricey.
8 Answers
Honestly, $200 is a fair deal in today's market. You might find it ends up being a solid investment as prices adjust down the line.
Given the current pricing trends and your specific gaming needs, the 5700X3D is a good buy. Just be sure you get a solid motherboard too—don't skimp on that! I'd suggest something like the B550 Eagle or the MSI MPG B550 Gaming Plus, especially since those boards are affordable and reliable.
I forgot the 5700X existed! It's nice for multi-core needs, but if you're mostly gaming, the 5600X is decent as well. It sits well around $150.
At $200, the 5700X3D is a fantastic upgrade, especially with the current landscape—it's a powerful chip for gaming.
At $200, the 5700X3D is an easy choice for the upgrade. If you end up going with the 5600X, let me know—I might be interested in the 5700X3D you're leaving behind!
I bet you could haggle and get a decent discount on it!
If you're in the Philippines, I can recommend some local shops!
If you're playing at 1080p and enjoy competitive gaming, definitely go for the 5700X3D. If you're more at 1440p, the 5600X should serve you well unless you're heavily into simulation games.
True, Dota can run on lower-end systems, but it has become more demanding recently. The 5600X provides a smooth experience, but if you want to handle intense teamfights better, the 5700X3D is the way to go.
Thanks for confirming, I'm definitely leaning towards the 5700X3D now!
That CPU hasn't been available recently—last I saw it was listed for around $460!
Wow, is it really worth that? Or was it just a case of inflation back then?
Yes, definitely go for it! The 5700X3D is a great upgrade option at this price point!
If your game is CPU-bound, yes, you need the extra power that the 5700X3D offers. A year ago, I would have suggested the AM5 route, but it sounds like you might be past that point now!
I missed the boat there—just graduated and got a job, so I was a bit slow on the upgrades!
With some negotiation, you could probably shave off $10-20!