I'm planning to build a PC primarily for gaming at 1080P, and I'm trying to decide between the 5800X and the 8400F. There's about a €90 price difference between the two. I'm considering getting a 9060 XT GPU. I know DDR5 has its advantages, but I'm curious about which CPU would give me the best value for this setup.
6 Answers
Honestly, if it’s only €90 more for AM5, it might be worth jumping in now, especially as you might want an X3D chip down the line. Those upgrades can get pricey on AM4, so think about future-proofing while you can.
Go with the 5800X! It's on the AM4 platform, which is more established, so while you won't find many upgrades available without a whole new motherboard and DDR5, it's still a solid performer for what you're aiming at. Plus, it could handle more RAM in the future. The 8400F may seem like a comparable contender, but it usually requires a pricier setup with an AM5 board and DDR5, which just elevates your costs right away. If you're looking to save a bit and get going, the 5800X is likely the better bet.
That makes sense! I noticed the 7600 is only about €40 more than the 8400F, so maybe that might be worth a look too.
Don't forget to check the RAM prices as they skyrocket currently. DDR4 is often much cheaper than DDR5, which could save you a lot on the overall build. In my area, DDR5 costs around €450 while DDR4 is about €300. Build wise, you’d probably save €84 going with DDR4.
Yikes, those prices are tough! Definitely consider what fits your budget better.
5800X is still a powerhouse for gaming today! Don’t underestimate it; it still holds its ground against newer chips.
The 5800X will generally be faster for gaming, but the performance difference is minor. The 8400F does have an edge with newer technology that might benefit you long-term, but I’m not convinced since the 16MB L3 cache could limit its performance in many games. If the 5800X is within your budget, it’s probably the way to go for today’s gaming.
I’ve been thinking more about how the GPU might be impacted by both CPUs. It’s a tricky choice!
If you're going compact for portability, I'd keep that in mind when selecting the CPU. The 5800X is solid, but if the 8400F can fit your needs on a smaller build, it might be an option. Just weigh the long-term benefits of moving to AM5 versus the immediate savings with AM4.

Yes, but upgrading RAM to DDR5 seems costly! Is 16GB enough for gaming today?