Both options are available at comparable costs.
Both options are available at comparable costs.
My 5900X keeps its clocks just like my 5600X does, though I'm being a bit dishonest... sort of.
I concur to skip the 5600x, it's quite expensive for six cores. None of the Ryzen chips seem worthwhile except the 9 series. The flight sim will be constrained by CPU before GPU limits, so the best CPU available is optimal for the game. Prices like 5600x, 10700k, and 11700k are comparable. The 10850k/5800x come in second, while the 5900x/5950x are the quickest. The Ryzen 9s probably need PBO turned on for better gaming results. The standard power draw is too low, which means people with poor cooling won't damage their system or skew efficiency data. I think a 5800x is the least attractive choice overall. For $100 more, you can get a much stronger CPU like the 5900x or even the 10850k. The 5800x might work for one game, but if it's the only option, it’s essentially the worst value. I’d advise against choosing six cores in 2021; performance is already hitting limits in new titles, and more games will be restricted to six cores. Especially when background tasks are involved. Spending nearly $2000 on a PC with six cores in 2021 seems excessive. I’d say most buyers planning for that spec will need to upgrade soon, far sooner than expected. Overall cost of ownership matters—cheap chips with poor upfront pricing often end up costing more long-term due to resale value and performance issues. Cheaper choices like 10400f, 10700f, 10850k, and 5900x are the most affordable options in this range. Adjust models based on current affordability. On average, the 10850k performs best across the board, except against a Ryzen 9. It’s on sale for $319 and offers solid speed. Any of the older models will still be impressive, so pricing shouldn’t be a major concern. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what you’re willing to pay for value.
Finding 5900x is tough, even at $675 it's clearly Intel's territory. The 5950x seems to be a separate option. In the US right now, the 5800x is only $399, matching the prices of the 11700K and 10850K. At $299, the 5600x faces the 10700KF ($301), which requires a cooler and a more expensive motherboard.
The 10850k costs $319 at microcenter, which is the best deal you'd expect for such a powerful CPU. It's essentially a high-end option at a mid-range price.
Typically folks don't have easy access to Microcenters. In California, the nearest one is about six hours away. But if you're near a Microcenter, things can be different.