AMD Ryzensets 7 5800X3D Processor (8 cores/16 threads, AM4 Socket, 105W TDP,100 MB Cache, up to 4.5 GHz max boost, no cooler)

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is hands down one of the best CPUs for gamers still on the AM4 platform. I recently upgraded from a Ryzen 5 3600, and the difference in performance is night and day.**Gaming Performance:**The standout feature of the 5800X3D is AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology, which adds 96MB of L3 cache. This translates into a significant boost in gaming performance. Frame rates are noticeably higher in most of the games I play, and there’s a marked improvement in responsiveness, particularly in CPU-intensive titles like strategy games and open-world RPGs. It easily holds its own against many of the newer, more expensive CPUs on the market.**Productivity:**While this CPU is gaming-focused, it still handles productivity tasks like video editing and rendering with ease. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, which makes multitasking a breeze. It might not match the Ryzen 9 series for heavy workloads, but it’s more than sufficient for most users.**Ease of Upgrade:**One of the best aspects of the 5800X3D is its compatibility with existing AM4 motherboards. If you have a B450 or newer board, you can drop this CPU in with a BIOS update, making it a cost-effective upgrade. I was able to keep my existing system intact, including my DDR4 RAM, which saved me a lot of money compared to switching platforms.**Thermals and Power Efficiency:**Thermals are well-managed for a high-performance CPU, though it does run a bit hotter than my previous chip. Pairing it with a quality cooler like the Noctua NH-D15 kept temperatures in check even during long gaming sessions. Power efficiency is excellent, and I didn’t notice any major spikes in electricity use.**Value for Money:**For gamers who want top-tier performance without the expense of upgrading to AM5 or Intel’s latest platform, this CPU is a no-brainer. At its price point, it offers incredible value, extending the life of your AM4 system while delivering performance that rivals much more expensive options.**Conclusion:**The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a fantastic CPU for gamers and power users looking to maximize the potential of their AM4 systems. Its combination of gaming performance, compatibility, and value makes it one of the best upgrades you can make without moving to a new platform. If you’re a gamer or someone who enjoys squeezing every ounce of performance from their PC, this CPU is a worthy investment. Highly recommended!

To begin, I had a good mid range AM4 gaming rig (4 year old) that I was debating upgrading e.g. new motherboard and system overhaul at significant cost, but after some internet research I realised that with a BIOS update my MSI MPG X570 Gaming Edge WIFI motherboard could be upgraded from my AMD 3700X to 5800X3D, with the benefit of a substantive boost to 1080p or 1440p gaming performance.Please note that I had recently updated my GPU from an NVIDIA MSI RTX 2070 TRI FROZR Super to AMD Powercolor Red Devil 7800XT, and whilst I did note the performance boost on the GPU swap, it felt something was missing, as if the system could perform better (Cyber punk at 1080p averaging 97fps for example on ultra settings). That lead to the above research and decision to replace my CPU with the 5800X3D.CPU replacement went to plan and system booted fine, but I noted increased fan noise and elevated CPU temps. By design it would seem that AMD states the 5800X3D is fine to run at 85-100 degrees C....sorry but that doesn't float with me, safe yes, but noisy and power hungry. After a little research, I discovered if you have an MSI motherboard that supports AM4 and has the relevant BIOS update then you will have a setting for Kombo Strike in the CPU overclocking settings, which will essentially undervolt your 5800X3D by 30millivolts, meaning more efficient energy use and less heat, a setting that is within manufacturers safe tolerances too.Following the above I was very pleased with the improved thermals, after adjusting fan profiles (I just set case fans to a noise level I could accept and stuck them there, whilst letting GPU and CPU be managed by PWM curve based on temp).On a side note, whilst going through the above, I stumbled across 2 fundamental things I had overlooked in the past:1. TPM settings for RAM, it turns out I had never been utilising my RAM frequency as I should have (rookie mistake), when I activated TPM mode 2, I noted an additional boost to RAM frequency and FPS in certain games2. I discovered that the above mentioned bios update also facilitated the use of SAM (Smart Access Video), which in essence allows your CPU and GPU to communicate much faster (very basic explanation) assuming your hardware supports it. In some instances this has lead to an almost 20% boost in game FPS....and it is a free setting you may already have and not realise if you have an AM4 motherboard.Regarding the above mentioned cyberpunk, ultra setting FPS jumped to 215 fps using AMD 2.1 on Performance setting, but I would recommend Intel settings on Quality (185 fps) for eye candy.FYI I'm, not a Cyberpunk fanboy...it was just the most reliable benchmark I had at hand to task both CPU and GPU on mixed settings.Long story short, best of a CPU if you have a good AM4 board and want to wait and skip AM5 at present, AM6 isn't that far away :DPS is you are a user of AMD video cards and experience frame stutter, clear the V cache (google it) or just remove adrenalin and install the base driver without adrenalin fixed my issues in Hogwarts, RD2, Cyberpunk, BG3....Happy gaming