Need guidance upgrading to a Ryzen processor?
Need guidance upgrading to a Ryzen processor?
Hey all, I'm attempting to upgrade from a R5 3600x, and, for reference, here is the rest of my PC build in case it's relevant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/j2TQCz PC Use Case Gaming - I mostly play on my PS5, but on occasion will get some games on my PC especially games that are XBox exclusives or if it's a game like COD or BF, I will get it on both since I can use the same account on either platform. Game dev - I use Unity and Unreal Engine and mostly code in C# and C++ for each engine respectively. So code compilation is on the list of things I do with my PC. It's not as much of an issue with Unity, but in Unreal Engine, changing a header file (which is super common) leads to a longer compilation time. I do any kind of programming, but my favorites are gameplay and graphics. On top of that, I also have a side project where I'm building (more like attempting to) a renderer. Content Creation - I am also dabbling in creating art content for games so 3D modeling software and 2D art software is also in use. At the moment it's Maya, Blender, and Photoshop. Content consumption and every day tasks. I am 100% going to be upgrading to next gen hardware and I've already started saving money, I'm just waiting to see what AMD has to offer with AM5. So that and just waiting a bit of time afterwards to make sure everything is ironed out with these new platforms and PCIe gen 5. Also add in the amount of time it will take to be able to buy something because of the shortage. Getting a CPU would set me back that amount of money on what I'm already saving for my next build, so I'm not sure how much to spend given my use case but also my inevitable (unless I die or lose all my money or something) upgrade. One thing that is certain is that I WILL upgrade, this 3600x is going into a small form factor PC along with a 2060S that I have lying around for a portable PC. CPU Upgrade Candidates R5 5600x - Linear (?) upgrade from a 3600x and the cheapest. It will impact my future build budget the least but also the weakest of the 3. If anyone is wondering why I would still consider a 5600x when I might want more cores for some of my tasks, I saw that in many instances, the 5600x was between 5 - 10% faster and was either tied or was able to push out more frames compared to the 3600x in most games so I'd still consider that an upgrade. This CPU was also the one I intended to get when I first built this PC about a year and a half ago, I just wasn't paying attention to what I was getting and got the 3600x by mistake. R7 5800x - I'm really only considering this one because of its 3D variant coming out. The only issue is as far as I can tell it won't be out until almost June??? At that point, idk if it would even be worth upgrading my CPU anymore (at least not to something more expensive than a 5600x) since by then AM5 would almost be announced. Plus, as far as I can tell, it's possible that getting my hands on one would be hard with chip shortage so maybe the regular 5800x would just be a better bet. R9 5900x - It's real nice but also real expensive, will impact my budget the most. Idk what to say about this CPU, it speaks for itself, lol.
Everything is good BUT the CPU. 5600x is significantly faster and $288.. **EDIT** Your text wasn't showing up until I highlighted it, you must have changed something there. I just see the pcpartpicker link and thought you were getting a 3600x. I'll update this again once I've read your text. If this is a stopgap upgrade, just get the 5600x unless the software you use will absolutely take significant advantage of the extra 2 cores of the 5800x.
For users with Dark mode active: The main point is clear—here’s the overview of my current setup and what I’m thinking about. You can check out my full PC list here: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/j2TQCz.
In gaming, I mainly use my PS5 but occasionally run PC games, especially exclusives or titles like COD and BF, since I can share an account across platforms. For development, I work with Unity and Unreal Engine, writing in C# and C++ respectively. While compilation isn’t a huge concern with Unity, Unreal tends to slow it down, especially when modifying header files. My coding interests lean toward gameplay and visuals.
On the creative side, I’m also experimenting with art projects—using tools like Maya, Blender, and Photoshop for 3D and 2D work. I also consume content and handle daily tasks.
I’m committed to moving to next-gen hardware, so I’ve already begun saving up. I’m keeping an eye on AMD’s AM5 offerings and the PCIe Gen 5 timeline. The wait time for new devices could affect my budget, especially since buying might be delayed due to shortages.
Upgrading my CPU is a priority. I’m evaluating options carefully: the R5 5600X offers a solid balance of performance and cost, with noticeable gains over the 3600x in many games. The R7 5800X is only being considered for its upcoming 3D model, but timing and availability are uncertain. The R9 5900X is expensive and would push my budget further, so I’m leaning toward the 5600X unless AM5 becomes mainstream sooner.
When planning an upgrade, understanding part costs is crucial. The 5800X is now available from major stores near $350, sometimes even cheaper. At this price, choosing a 5600X for $300 would be a mistake since it offers only 33% more CPU for just 16% extra money. Ask yourself what you're paying for each component.
I hadn't noticed this price point, so I'll definitely check it out. If it fits, I'd go with a 5800x. I can handle any of the three options, but I'm wondering how much I need to invest in my AM5 build. The bigger concern is whether a 5800x would be better overall. I'm thinking about using it in the small form factor PC I mentioned—I plan to upgrade it later with an AM5 board once I have my current setup. At the moment, the cases I'm considering might not provide enough cooling for something like a 5900x, especially when we're done with the 3600x.
Hi, thanks for the update. It would help if we could get it a bit quicker. Based on Young Blade's advice, I’m leaning toward a 5800X. My aim is still to move up to AM5, and this chip would eventually replace the 3600X in my mini PC build. A 5900X doesn’t seem right because I intend to switch platforms soon. I’d rather have an overpowered CPU for now since I don’t need ultra-fast compilation times or anything like that. The 2-core boost on the 5800X should be sufficient for what I’m looking at.