No, a resolution above 5600x isn't necessary for gaming.
No, a resolution above 5600x isn't necessary for gaming.
Hello, your query is clear. I purchased parts for my PC around the time the 5000 series Ryzen launched, specifically a 3600X. I bought a solid board and planned to upgrade the CPU later. Now it's time to decide between the 5600X or the 5800X. For gaming and daily tasks, do you really need a Ryzen 7 over a Ryzen 5? It will be paired with an RTX 2060 and could be upgraded once the 40 series is available. Looking forward to your advice, Stewart.
3600X remains a viable CPU option. I tested WZ on it and it performed well—CPU usage and performance were consistent compared to my 3900X, which runs smoothly at 4425 cores. You likely won’t need huge improvements with the 5600 or 5800 series; gaming performance isn’t the main concern here. It might be better to wait for the X3D cache versions of those chips, especially since the 4000 lineup is delayed. The RX 7000 would be a good alternative.
5600X might offer some improvement, though it seems insufficient on its own to justify the cost and risk involved. CPU-intensive titles remain uncommon, but adding an 8-core processor likely covers most needs for the platform's lifespan. The 5800X isn't essential, but it provides a noticeable leap over the 3600X version.
If your budget allows for a 5800X, consider going for a 5900X instead. It offers better cooling thanks to its cores being split into two complexes, while the 5800X has all eight cores on one complex, making it more challenging to manage heat. Thread count also matters—your son’s Beam NG Drive uses threads efficiently, allowing up to 12 AI cars before lag starts. The remaining cores handle the game engine and background tasks. Cooling performance, core allocation, and your specific gaming needs should guide your choice. A 5600X is solid but may struggle with certain triple-A titles requiring many threads. If you avoid those games, a 5600X will be easier to maintain and cooler overall.
I would suggest holding off until there are any confirmed 3d models released, such as the 5800X3D or potentially the 5600X3D. If those don’t arrive, I’d wait a few more months. Once those models appear, there’s a higher chance that older 3d versions will be discounted, giving you a better deal and possibly a cheaper used CPU option. Some gamers might switch from their 5600X or 5800X to a 3d model or Zen 4 just for the latest experience. Others may upgrade if they can, but many will stick with their current setup for years. If you plan to keep using your system long-term, an 8-core CPU would be wise for future performance. As games become more demanding, more cores are needed. There are also budget-friendly 5600X models, but the price gap and performance loss make it hard to justify saving a few dollars on such a chip. Avoid the 5500X—it’s essentially an APU with a disabled GPU, offering minimal gaming benefits and only PCIe Gen 3 support.
Are you challenging yourself with games on a 144Hz display using a GPU capable of maintaining that speed? If yes, upgrading to a 5800x3D could make a noticeable difference, as long as your system can handle it without performance drops. Techpowerup reports it runs about 50% faster than a 3600x at 720p, and roughly 28% quicker than a 3600x at 720p in their testing. Below you’ll see the 5800x3D barely falls behind an i9-12900ks at 720p to keep games CPU-intensive. The 5600x offers a noticeable boost over the 3700x found on most Xbox Series and PS5 models, though it’s clocked lower on the consoles. For a 60 fps target, the 5600x seems unlikely to sustain the whole experience. The 3600x could suffice for Cyberpunk at 60 fps with high settings, but it may start to lag slightly later in the console run due to similar performance metrics and fewer cores/threads. Currently, the 5600x is priced around $175 on Newegg. If you’re willing to trade in your 3600x for a good price, adding either the 5600x for 60 fps or the 5800x3D for 144 fps with a capable GPU could be worthwhile. Avoid the 5800x3D unless it’s essential for your setup.