My current PC has a Ryzen 5 5600X, a Gigabyte RX 6700 XT, 16GB of DDR4, and an MSI B550 motherboard. I want to upgrade mainly for WoW: Forever, since the newer graphical improvements are pushing me toward low settings even though the game runs above 100 FPS.
I'm considering a Ryzen 7 5800X3D with a cooler for roughly €310–€350, which would let me keep my current motherboard and memory. The other option is moving to AM5 with a Ryzen 5 9600X or something similar, a new motherboard, and 16GB of DDR5 for around €550.
Which route makes more sense? I mostly play WoW and don't run many demanding games right now, although I'd like to play GTA 6 if it eventually comes to PC.
4 Answers
Before upgrading, check whether the performance problem is actually CPU-related. Your 5600X and RX 6700 XT should handle the game well at normal settings, but the new visual features may put more load on the GPU. If the GPU is near full usage, a faster CPU won’t solve the issue. If crowded areas or lower frame rates are caused by CPU limitations, then an X3D chip is the better upgrade.
If you can find one at a reasonable price, an AM4 X3D chip is the straightforward choice. Options such as the 5500X3D, 5600X3D, 5700X3D, or 5800X3D would all make more sense financially than replacing the entire platform for a 9600X. Importing a processor can be tempting, but make sure taxes, warranty, and customs don’t erase the savings.
The AM5 build gives you a better upgrade path, especially if you expect to buy more demanding games later. However, a regular 9600X may not be enough of a gaming improvement to justify €550, particularly in a game that benefits heavily from extra 3D cache. I’d either keep the current PC for now or move to AM5 with a higher-end X3D processor if the budget allows.
For a system that’s mainly being upgraded for WoW, I’d stay on AM4 and install a 5800X3D. It’s a strong upgrade for CPU-limited areas and avoids paying for a new motherboard and memory. A 5700X3D would usually be the better value, but availability seems poor in some places.
The 5700X3D is sold out everywhere I’ve checked, while a 5800X3D plus a cooler is around €330–€350. I’m leaning toward that and hoping the rest of the system lasts until a much later platform upgrade.
Aside from possibly playing GTA 6 someday, I don’t currently play anything especially demanding. That makes the 5800X3D upgrade feel more sensible than spending the extra money on AM5.