Best AMD cpu for gaming only

rinaldo00

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I am planning to build an all AMD gaming rig over the holidays and I want to start gathering parts. I have never used an AMD cpu or gpu before so I am trying to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible.

This will be exclusively a gaming machine. I plan on playing exclusively at 4K on my LG 48 CX. I know that I will be mostly GPU limited at that resolution so I am getting a 6900 XT.

Money is truly not an object but I do think that a 100% increase in price for a 10% increase in FPS is foolish. With all that in mind I am looking at the 5900X.

Does anyone have any other thoughts? I could also use motherboard and RAM suggestions (I plan on using 16 GB 4000MHz)

Thanks !
 
If money is not a concern then just get the 5900X. Most games won’t scale much with more than 4 cores but there are a few. Otherwise get a 5600X. The 5800X is a great CPU but the worst value at its current price.
 
For the proc and ram I think it depends on how often you like to do builds. Some people just keep them until they feel a need to upgrade since the whole assemble rig, install windows, etc. thing is a hassle, others like to upgrade often because they find it fun or always want to have the fastest machine. I used to find it fun, but I guess I got old or something and switched sides. I don't mind the building part but the install Windows & Linux and move everything over is just work so now I keep a machine until it annoys me. At any rate if you upgrade often I'd go 5600X and 16GB should be fine until DDR5 hits and then you're getting new ram anyway. Personally I'd get 32 anyway since my old rig tends to hang around a few years after I build a new one. Actually, scratch that, 64 for me. I ran out of memory working on some programming stuff (mostly due to the program I was writing using all of it) in 2014 and upgraded from 32 to 64. Can't build a new rig with less ram than the old one. :) If you're likely to keep it until it annoys you I'd spring for the 5900X and load it up with 32GB. Running at 4k you'll probably go through a couple vid cards before you end up CPU limited with a 5900X.

 
Also, I can say that playing the games I play (WoW, Witcher 3, Overwatch), going from a 5800x to a 5900x is not that big of a deal. My eyes or old reflexes sure can't tell the difference. Multi core Cinebench R23 is of course higher but single core Cinebench R23 is actually a couple of points less. That's before I set the 5900x to Auto OC tho.
 
I want to thank everyone for their advice! This is the build I am considering. I plan on keeping this for at LEAST until the next generation of GPUs release but I might just skip the next generation unless the performance gains are large (over 30%) I am keeping my old case and SSD for now and since I am keeping my Corsair keyboard, mouse, and mouse pad I chose all Corsair iCUE compatible components.

CPU $549 3900XT
CPU Cooler $170 H115i RGB PLATINUM 280mm
MOBO $350 Asus ROG Strix X570-E
RAM $140 Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro (2x8 GB) DDR4-4000 CL18
GPU $999 6900XT
PSU $170 RM850i — 850 Watt 80 PLUS Gold Certified Fully Modular
$ 2378
 
Are you planning on overclocking heavily? If not then you really dont need a high priced motherboard the X570 can be found for under $200 with excellent features.
If you can manage to get it when its back in stock, I highly recommend the 5800X or 5900X, for the same or less price you get a much better CPU.

I would normally recommend the 5600x solely for gaming, but you're likely to bottleneck the 6900XT (assuming that it compares to the RTX 3090 once reviews are out)
 
I'm saying this as someone on an expensive X570 and a Ryzen 3900X, if you want the best gaming performance get a slightly cheaper motherboard and go and get the 5800X or (or if you want to future proof, get the 5900X, better price/peformance)

I love my 3900X but absolutely no game out gets anywhere near using its full 24 threads. I have a few simulation games that DO use every thread, but even then its nowhere near 100% utulization, and i've tried.

I use those extra 8 threads for doing things like running multiple servers in the backgound 24/7 and real time transcoding. If you aren't going to do something like that, you don't need 12 cores.
 
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I would normally recommend the 5600x solely for gaming, but you're likely to bottleneck the 6900XT (assuming that it compares to the RTX 3090 once reviews are out)
At 4k (or even any resolution, considering the 120 fps limit of the monitor) ?

In many recent game there is 0 difference between a 3600 and a 5800x, let alone a 5600x and a 5800x:

https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/amd-ryzen-7-5800x-review,28.html

Is there a case with a relevant difference (at a relevant frame rate, considering the TV will max out at 120 fps)
 
When I was on Ryzen @ 1440p a 2600 locked to 4ghz all core and a 1080ti saturated my 165hz monitor at competitive settings.

4k just up the gpu. You won't be cpu bound unless you start streaming or recording using the cpu.

You can get a 3600, mid tier b450/b550 are plentiful.

Getting a gpu will be the issue.

There's no reason to try to get optimal when the target display is a tv.
 
Apparently Zen 3 CPU's are better in gaming compared to their previous predecessors, and if you pair it with a 6800/6900 series card you get the benefit of AMD's SAM/RAGE mode which boosts your FPS in gaming. You may as well get either a 5800 or a 5900 if you can find one.
 
Don’t let parts sit around past the return date in case you have anything DOA.
Most items, if not all, shipped and sold by Amazon right now have a return date of late January.
All of my items say return by January 31st.
I've got a Motherboard, Ram, PSU, and NIC just sitting here waiting on an AMD cpu to come in stock.
 
Apparently Zen 3 CPU's are better in gaming compared to their previous predecessors, and if you pair it with a 6800/6900 series card you get the benefit of AMD's SAM/RAGE mode which boosts your FPS in gaming. You may as well get either a 5800 or a 5900 if you can find one.
5800X is available for order on Amazon's site for Jan delivery.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0815XFSGK/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Someone ordered a CPU on the 13th for late December delivery and they got it yesterday
 
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Boy do I feel STUPID! I based everything in my build around the 5900X, I even mentioned it in my original post. I planned this all out because I did REALLY want to use SAM and RAGE. I even got the price correct in my build list so my cost does not change!
Money is truly not an object but I do think that a 100% increase in price for a 10% increase in FPS is foolish. With all that in mind I am looking at the 5900X.
OK, now that I got that out of the way here is my REAL build with the same total price!

CPU $549 5900X
CPU Cooler $170 H115i RGB PLATINUM 280mm
MOBO $350 Asus ROG Strix X570-E
RAM $140 Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro (2x8 GB) DDR4-4000 CL18
GPU $999 6900XT
PSU $170 RM850i — 850 Watt 80 PLUS Gold Certified Fully Modular
$ 2378
 
Most items, if not all, shipped and sold by Amazon right now have a return date of late January.
All of my items say return by January 31st.
I've got a Motherboard, Ram, PSU, and NIC just sitting here waiting on an AMD cpu to come in stock.
Will you share what you bought (GPU too) and what CPU you are hoping for?
Thanks !
 
Gaming only bar none on AMD desktop.OC for OC against all.5800x.It’s all about latency baby.AMD stated it to be the ultimate gaming CPU.I can confirm it is.

Ram consider g skill 3800 cl14 2x8 and I would not go with ass us.
 
Most items, if not all, shipped and sold by Amazon right now have a return date of late January.
All of my items say return by January 31st.
I've got a Motherboard, Ram, PSU, and NIC just sitting here waiting on an AMD cpu to come in stock.
I don't have a crystal ball with guaranteed delivery dates for 30x0 or 6800
 
Will you share what you bought (GPU too) and what CPU you are hoping for?
Thanks !

I want a 5900X but I will settle for the 5800X which I ordered from Amazon. I do have an order for a 5900X from B&H as well.
I am looking for a 3080 still.
IMG_9744.JPEG
 
Boy do I feel STUPID! I based everything in my build around the 5900X, I even mentioned it in my original post. I planned this all out because I did REALLY want to use SAM and RAGE. I even got the price correct in my build list so my cost does not change!

OK, now that I got that out of the way here is my REAL build with the same total price!

CPU $549 5900X
CPU Cooler $170 H115i RGB PLATINUM 280mm
MOBO $350 Asus ROG Strix X570-E
RAM $140 Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro (2x8 GB) DDR4-4000 CL18
GPU $999 6900XT
PSU $170 RM850i — 850 Watt 80 PLUS Gold Certified Fully Modular
$ 2378
Looks like a nice build but personally I'd probably go with 16GBx2 memory kit right now even if it means giving up some Mhz. I also like the Dark Hero mobo that others have mentioned but I'm not familiar with that Strix board.
 
Looks like a nice build but personally I'd probably go with 16GBx2 memory kit right now even if it means giving up some Mhz. I also like the Dark Hero mobo that others have mentioned but I'm not familiar with that Strix board.
This is my first AMD build so I am trying to learn all I can, I just searched on 'best AMD motherboard for the 5900x' and 3 out of the first 5 review sites I read picked it as number 1. That Dark Hero mobo does look awesome ! Maybe I will switch.

What RAM would you suggest? I would like to stick with Corsair if possible since I want everything run with iCue.
 
Anyone with both a 3700X or 3800X move to a 5600X? I'm curious what your impressions are. Where I live I can get a 3800X for $391 or a 5600X for $420.
 
This is my first AMD build so I am trying to learn all I can, I just searched on 'best AMD motherboard for the 5900x' and 3 out of the first 5 review sites I read picked it as number 1. That Dark Hero mobo does look awesome ! Maybe I will switch.

What RAM would you suggest? I would like to stick with Corsair if possible since I want everything run with iCue.
I'm more of a G.Skill fan these days so I can't make specific recommendations for Corsair but I'd stick to the QVL for the board you get and pick something that meets your wants from that.

16GB is also still enough right now but I'm a little surprised how quickly it went from overkill to enough which is why I'd go with 32GB right now but if absolute max performance was my goal I'd probably get a kit like you mentioned and worry about 16GB not being enough when it actually becomes and issue. There is diminishing returns at the highest speeds and getting those speeds stable can be an issue (more so for dual rank) so there are other aspects to consider too.
 
I'd go with 2 x 16gb sticks instead of 2 x 8GB .. I only play 1 game really and that's Hunt:Showdown .. I don't have any documented numbers, but going from 2 x 8's to 2 x 16's .. game "felt" smoother.. noticeably smoother .. no placebo yo
 
I'd go with 2 x 16gb sticks instead of 2 x 8GB .. I only play 1 game really and that's Hunt:Showdown .. I don't have any documented numbers, but going from 2 x 8's to 2 x 16's .. game "felt" smoother.. noticeably smoother .. no placebo yo
Depends on the model and design, it could be the number of ranks 4x 8gb single ranked generally perform the same as the 2x 16gb dual ranked.
They're still confirming the exact methodology and testing, but the new ryzen 5k's seem to prefer 4 dimm setups (4 ranks total):

.
 
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