I'm considering an upgrade from my current 5700X to at least the 9800X3D. My main concerns are how future-proof this setup will be, particularly with the potential release of AM6 in the coming years. I'm looking for an upgrade that lasts about 4-6 years. I mostly play story-driven games and can manage decent FPS by tweaking settings, but my main issue is with World of Warcraft. I've seen comparisons showing the 9800X3D struggling during raid fights, and I initially thought about upgrading to the 5700X3D, but I'm not sure it's worth it now. My current setup is a 5700X, 32GB RAM, and a 3070 graphics card with a 3440x1440p display.
5 Answers
Honestly, I think it could be at least 5 years before we even hear about AM6. Many folks are still running on AM4 without issues, so if you grab a 9800X3D now, you're likely set for a long time, especially since you can upgrade within the platform as new CPUs drop.
Keep in mind that future-proofing isn't guaranteed. Your current 5700X is still performing well after several years. You're probably overthinking it a bit. If WoW is pushing you to upgrade, then it might be time to consider your options without stressing too much about what's next.
Don't expect AM6 anytime soon. Zen6 and possibly Zen7 will still use AM5. You're probably looking at 7 years of usability with a 9800X3D before needing to consider any upgrade. I run on LGA1700 now and can say I don’t anticipate switching to AM6. It feels like AM5 will stick around for a while longer.
If you go for the AM5 and the 9800X3D, understand that you might hit some GPU limitations. Given that it's the best CPU for gaming right now, you should be fine for a good while—possibly even before any new releases become a real concern. You should enjoy solid performance with it for several years!
If you can swing it, go for the upgrade. Just keep in mind that a 9800X3D paired with a 3070 might not give you the best performance for graphically intense games. It might be worth holding off to see if better GPUs come out if gaming performance is your main concern.
I feel you! WoW can really be a pain when it comes to needing upgrades to maintain decent FPS. I'd suggest keeping an eye on upcoming expansions and possibly tweaking settings as you go; it might help ease the pressure of an immediate upgrade.