Compare the benefits of moving from a 3600 to a 5600x or a 5800x display.
Compare the benefits of moving from a 3600 to a 5600x or a 5800x display.
I have a solid setup: a 3080 fe, a rog x570-f 16 (soon upgrading to 32gb), 3200mhz ram, and a ryzen 5 3600. I wanted to upgrade the CPU even though I'm on a limited budget. I play at 1440p and aim to get the most frames possible, so I don’t need to detail game settings. In most cases, I max out everything. I play a variety of games—League of Legends, CS:GO, and more—I’ve likely played most of them. Sometimes I feel I could be getting better performance than what I’m seeing. Previously, I was on a tight budget but could easily buy a 5600x. Now, with the frame difference, it’s hard to decide. The 5800x would cost a lot and might need a second-hand purchase, which isn’t ideal. The 5600x seems more practical. I’m also planning to sell my CPU later, so that’s a factor. I’m not going all in on the full price either, as I’ll have another machine to sell. What should I choose? Go for the 5800 or stick with the 5600?
Between 1600 and the release of 5950x in about two years, the upgrade isn't necessary. Switching from a 3600 to a 5600x or 5800x won't make much difference. AMD Ryzen™ 5 3600 Graphics Needs 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.6GHz and a max boost up to 4.2GHz. Thermal solution is PIB, TDP around 65W. For the Ryzen™ 7 5800X, it requires 8 cores and 16 threads, base 3.8GHz, max boost 4.7GHz, with a PIB thermal solution and default TDP of 105W if moving from AM3 to AM4. If you're fine without issues, consider waiting.
It depends on your priorities. I upgraded from a 3600XT to a 5600X and believed it was a good move. I had trouble getting the 5600X during assembly, so XT remained a placeholder. AM5 is still a year away, and there’s always something new on the horizon if you wait just a bit longer. Eventually, you adapt to seeing everyone opt for the latest models while you hold out for the next best option.
In 2021, six cores seemed sufficient. Pairing a low-end CPU with a 3080-3090 would already limit performance on many modern AAA titles. Recent releases with these chips are beginning to reveal that six cores aren’t quite enough anymore, whereas top-tier RTX 3000 GPUs can handle more threads. If you’re aiming for smooth gameplay at high frame rates and enable RTX, the gap is becoming more noticeable. Newer AAA titles released later this year and beyond will demand even more cores, making eight cores a better choice soon. Some games are already running more smoothly on eight threads, while others struggle with eight. The 5800x model is notably pricier than its successors; a 5900x typically sells for more than a 5800x, so the price difference is minimal. The 3900x is currently selling for a noticeable premium over the 3800x, making the faster 3900x potentially more affordable. The 5900x may follow a similar pattern, possibly becoming cheaper if it holds its value longer. The 10850k offers better performance than the 5600x and is slightly quicker, though it’s still costly. Only high-end CPUs like Ryzen 9s outperform Intel i9s in gaming. If you’re close to a microcenter store, a 10850k can cost around $319. Switching to Intel might let you get a faster CPU for less than the 5800x. CPU limitations often cause noticeable issues—like microstutters in COD Cold War—so upgrading to a higher core count or better GPU is usually worthwhile. Overall, six cores with 32GB RAM and a 3080 chip are about average; most people with more cores will find newer options more suitable.
PaigeyPoodles
03-16-2022, 05:13 PM #6this outcome is quite varied, something I've seen on various discussion boards. my main concern is the price, especially since i'm considering a new motherboard that will likely be costly at launch, combined with an expensive AM5 CPU. while i expect the 3600 to handle gaming smoothly, i still hope the AM5 will keep up, possibly even surpassing it slightly. i believe the 5800x will show a noticeable gap, but in terms of value, it might be close—maybe the AM5 will eventually take the lead. i'm trying to future-proof my setup for upcoming titles, like the new battlefield, and i'm torn between trusting my current setup and spending more for better performance. i think it's time to gather more comparisons and seek advice from other forums before making a final decision. thanks everyone!
Sure, generally these components follow a pattern—new CPU models appear every few years, GPUs roughly every two years. Purchasing just before the cycle ends isn’t really strategic and often leads to disappointment. For example, we’ve seen Intel releases this year and next, so it makes sense to wait unless you need something much faster. Your current setup with a 3080 is already limiting performance, making an upgrade worthwhile if you don’t want to replace your whole system soon.
kungfutyla
04-02-2022, 02:11 AM #93600 remains quite strong; it delivers the best results with your 3080 most often. You might save your budget elsewhere, but for the final push on the 3080, a 5600x/5800x setup would be ideal.
I understand the perspective everyone has, but waiting can be risky. Still, I’m concerned about rising CPU costs—especially with more scalpers returning and possibly targeting new mobs. Upgrading to a better PSU might be necessary. I’m leaning toward going for the 5800X, just in case something better arrives soon. After all, there’s always Christmas when something fresh comes out