I'm looking to upgrade my hardware and need some advice on the best AM4 CPUs available currently. Here are my specs: ASUS Crosshair VI motherboard, Ryzen 1800x CPU, 1080ti GPU, and 32GB DDR4 memory. I want to avoid switching to a new motherboard and DDR5 if possible. I only play a few moderate-demand games and am seeking better performance. I initially planned on getting a 5700x3D, but it seems hard to find now. What would be a good alternative that still gives a solid performance boost? I'm also considering getting a 5080 GPU soon. I typically play games like Darktide, DRG, Conan Exiles, and Division 2 at 4K resolution. Thanks!
6 Answers
You’re in the same boat as I am! I have a Ryzen 3900X and was also looking for alternatives other than the X3D series. It's tough right now, but I hear the 5700X is a reliable upgrade!
To get the best performance, the 5700X3D and 5800X3D are top choices, but prices have skyrocketed lately. You might want to consider something like the 5600X, 5700X, or 5800X; they all provide solid improvements over your current CPU and don't shy away from handling a 5080 at 4K, especially since the GPU does most of the work at that resolution.
Why not check out the used market for a 5800X3D or 5700X3D? If not, you can settle for the standard 5000 lineup which includes the 5600, 5600X, 5700X, and 5800X, each offering incremental boosts to performance. But keep in mind, there's not that much difference among them overall.
Just a heads up—make sure your ASUS Crosshair VI motherboard's BIOS is updated for compatibility with the 5000 series chips before swapping CPUs. Your Ryzen 1800X is holding back your performance, especially in games like Darktide that require a better CPU. The 5700X would be a fantastic upgrade if you're gaming at 4K.
Thanks for the tip! I'm already on a 4K monitor and wanted to maximize my setup with the new 5080, so this looks promising.
The 5600 is still available at a reasonable price if you need a fast yet affordable option. It's an excellent choice that should give you a noticeable performance boost without stepping into X3D territory.
If you're looking for a strong upgrade without breaking the bank, the 5800XT is a solid choice for AM4 CPUs right now. It offers good performance for gaming, and while you might pay a premium for the 5800X3D, I recommend looking into the 5500X3D or 5600X3D if you can find them, as they tend to perform better in games on average. Just keep an eye on stock and prices!
I saw the 5700X going for around $130 recently, which isn't too bad, but yeah, it used to be cheaper. Definitely check out different sellers!
That's true; I've seen the prices for the 5800X3D hover around $400 lately. It gets pricey if you're trying to stay on AM4!