I currently have a Ryzen 7 5700X and a Radeon RX 9070 XT. The games I play benefit significantly from X3D processors, and I need 32GB of memory. Would moving to a Ryzen 7 7800X3D be worth the cost compared with upgrading to a 5800X3D, especially since DDR5 memory is expensive in the UK? I would need a new motherboard either way because my current board has inadequate VRMs. DDR5 alone looks to cost around £400.
4 Answers
The performance difference is fairly modest in broad benchmarks: the 5700X, 5800X3D, and 7800X3D tend to land relatively close together, though the X3D chips can make a bigger difference in games that benefit from extra cache. Your budget and existing hardware matter more than the model names. If the 5800X3D is heavily overpriced, saving for AM5—or even considering a newer X3D chip—may provide better long-term value.
The 7800X3D is the stronger match for a 9070 XT, but the gaming gap between it and the 5800X3D usually isn’t enormous. The 5800X3D lets you keep using cheaper DDR4 and is generally more power-efficient, so it makes sense if the total platform cost is much lower. Since you need a motherboard upgrade anyway, compare complete CPU, motherboard, and memory costs rather than looking only at the processor price.
If you can find a good-value AM5 bundle, the 7800X3D platform becomes much more attractive because it includes the CPU, motherboard, and 32GB of DDR5. However, bundle availability and pricing vary a lot, and UK prices may not be as favorable. With memory alone costing roughly £400, the 5800X3D and DDR4 could still be the cheaper route.
I’m in the UK, so the bundle deals people mention elsewhere aren’t really available to me.
I’d lean toward AM5 if you can afford the complete upgrade without overspending. It gives you a newer platform and an easier future CPU upgrade path. If the cost of 32GB of DDR5 is genuinely around £400, though, don’t force the upgrade; a 5800X3D with a suitable motherboard and DDR4 could deliver most of the gaming benefit for considerably less.
The memory is the biggest problem at the moment—I’m estimating about £400 for 32GB.
I’d need a new motherboard either way because the VRMs on my current board aren’t good enough.