I upgraded my graphics card from an RTX 2060 to an RTX 5070, but I'm still using my Ryzen 7 3700X, which is creating a significant bottleneck in my system. Since I mainly play CPU-heavy games like Arma Reforger, The Finals, and Arcs Raiders, I'm considering an upgrade to an AM5 setup after my GPU purchase. However, due to the rising RAM prices, I'm uncertain about the best route to take now. Here are my current specs: 1080p at 165Hz with RTX 5070 (12GB), Ryzen 7 3700X, and 16GB DDR4 RAM (3200MHz). I've been looking at potential CPU upgrades, including the R9 7950X3D (€430), R7 9800X3D (€360), R7 7800X3D (€290), R7 5800X3D (€415), and R5 7600X (€160). I'm leaning toward the R7 7800X3D for the best cost-to-performance ratio. I'd like some solid advice on this and any recommendations for motherboard features if I decide to go with AM5 since I've never bought one before.
5 Answers
Updating your BIOS allows you to drop any Ryzen 5000 series CPU into your current motherboard, which is often the best bang for your buck. DDR5 prices are wild, so you’d be looking at $400 more to go AM5 just for the basics. I think a Ryzen 5800X is your best bet right now. If you can find a 5800X3D at a decent price, that’d be perfect!
Honestly, if you're mainly gaming at 1080p, a Ryzen 5800X or even the 5700 series could be sufficient. They’re much cheaper and keep you on your current platform, which saves you bucks on a new motherboard and RAM as well. That said, if you can snag one of the X3D chips, even better!
To be honest, what do you mean by a "massive bottleneck"? If you're still hitting decent frame rates in games like Arc Raiders, maybe it’s not as bad as you think it is. I get about 50 FPS minimum and up to 90 FPS maximum, so you might be alright!
All the Ryzen models like 5700X, 5800X, or even the X3D versions should pair well with your GPU without causing bottlenecks. The best part is you won't need new RAM or a motherboard with those options.
When looking for a motherboard for an AM5 setup, consider what features you actually need. Think about how many expansion slots you’ll use and if you need built-in WiFi or crazy-fast ethernet. If you’re not going for a high-end Ryzen 9 or Threadripper, you won’t need an expensive VRM. Also, honestly, if you’re on a budget, an Intel 14600K could be a smart pick with a good motherboard without breaking the bank.
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