Hey everyone! I'm in a bit of a pickle here. I recently upgraded my GPU to an RX 9070 XT, replacing my old RX 580, and I'm super happy with it. However, my CPU, a Ryzen 5 3600, is struggling to keep up. I'm getting bottlenecked pretty badly—I'm locking Cyberpunk at 41 FPS to avoid stutter, and the only game I've enjoyed without maxing out the CPU is Expedition 33.
Since I'm on the AM4 platform, upgrading to AM5 isn't realistic for me right now due to high prices. I'm looking for a solid upgrade and know the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the best bet, but it's nowhere to be found. The Ryzen 5 5500X3D and the Ryzen 7 5700X are available for the same price, so I'm torn. Which CPU will give me the best performance with my 9070 XT? Should I buy one of these now, or is it better to wait for better options in the future?
5 Answers
I just upgraded to the 5700X from a 3600, and it was a solid upgrade for me. If you can grab the 5700X, I think you'll be happy with how it handles your games. However, if you're looking for the best value and you're already set on staying on AM4, then the 5500X3D is slightly better for gaming. Both CPUs are definitely good upgrades from the 3600!
The Ryzen 5 5500X3D is a great choice! In many games, it even performs similarly to the Ryzen 5 7600, so you'd likely see a good boost over the 3600. Unless you have a game that exploits the larger cache of the 5700X, you'll get more value for gaming from the 5500X3D overall. Both options are good upgrades, but the 5500X3D might edge out slightly in gaming performance.
That’s good to hear! How much more powerful is it compared to the 3600?
Just to throw in my two cents, the Ryzen 7 5700X feels like a better long-term investment, especially for future games. It's going to give you more threads and better overall performance, even if the 5500X3D is better for gaming right now.
I see your point! I guess it really depends on how long I plan to stick with this setup.
Honestly, both the 5500X3D and the 5700X would be solid upgrades. I'd lean slightly towards the 5500X3D for gaming, but only just. Given that they’re the same price, it might be a case of preference. Just make sure you’re getting enough RAM in your setup to help out the new CPU! You could also wait out the price hikes and eventually grab that 5800X3D if it becomes available.
If your main focus is gaming and you don’t want to break the bank, go for the Ryzen 5 5500X3D. If you’re willing to wait for a better option, the 5800X3D is definitely the way to go. You’ve already invested in a great GPU; it could be worth holding off for a killer CPU upgrade later.
That makes sense! I'm leaning towards waiting it out for the 5800X3D then.
Thanks for the input! How's your 5700X performing in demanding games?