Check if the price of $570 covers the value of the 5900X.
Check if the price of $570 covers the value of the 5900X.
I've been playing the Newegg Shuffle daily for months. Now that I've won, I'm weighing whether to buy a Ryzen 9 5900X for $569.99. After taxes, it would be just over $600. My current i5 9600k is outdated, so this upgrade seems significant. I'd also need a new motherboard and possibly a better PSU. Maybe I'll build a full system around it and wait for GPU prices to drop, then add a proper GPU to each. (One strong CPU choice, the other just for fun) Is this chip worth the cost, or should I let the win fade away?
Starting off, congratulations on the win! I'm also trying, but so far no luck. The Ryzen 9 5900X has an MSRP of $549.99 USD. Given the recent tariff changes and other factors, the $20 increase is understandable. If you're looking for a good deal, this isn't the best option from Newegg. You're paying essentially the manufacturer's suggested price. Whether it's worth it depends on your usage and goals. Personally, I wouldn't spend that much on a CPU unless absolutely necessary. It's a solid price if you're after it, but keep in mind you'll need a new motherboard—likely costing another $150 or more. You might also want to consider additional RAM if your existing setup is slower. With a 2060 Super, you can usually get a PSU with 600 or 650 watts, though I recommend checking a calculator for accuracy.
I’d likely design an entirely new framework around it, sharing components such as the graphics card and 32GB of RAM from my existing setup.
It hinges on how you utilize the system. For non-heavy multi-threaded tasks, the performance gap would be minimal compared to a 5800x. Playing games alone might not reveal any noticeable difference versus a 5600x.
The thing is, they just won the ability to get a 5900x. There's no guarantee that they can get a 5800x or a 5600x if they don't pick up this 5900x, or if they'll get a chance to get a 5900x again for months... It's more of a "should I pick this up while I have the chance" and less of a "should I use this in my build?" Because, OP, you have the choice to scalp it, even if you don't want it for yourself. I'd pick it up if you have the cash lying around, and then consider if you want to keep it or not.
For $100 above a 5800x, the 5800x seems confusing. A 5900x offers the best balance, providing the lowest cost per core. Upgrading in x years keeps the 5900x selling higher than the 5800x, making it even more attractive. Currently, 3900x are priced above $100 more than a 3800x, meaning the quicker chip is actually more affordable. This reflects a 50% performance gap and how the used market shows it. The 10850k and 5900x represent top mid-to-high end options. The most economical choices usually come from delaying upgrades and taking advantage of resale value. You’ll save the most by opting for 10400f or 10700, unless you specifically need the 5900x.
YOLO, enjoy the moment—no need for extreme measures. For B550 or X570 boards, look into solid options like the B550M or X570M motherboards.
B550 offers excellent value with only minor drawbacks like the PCIe design. It can push memory speeds further and is more recent than older models. Unless paired with a premium x570, a B550 is likely of higher quality. The B550 Aorus Pro v2 stands out as a leading overclocker, while Strix B550-f gaming remains very popular.