Time to upgrade from AM4?
Posted by eBazsa@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 48 comments
Hello All,
I have an AM4 system and I'm thinking what is the logical next step with it. I use it mostly for gaming, but I also edit photos and use CAD occasionally. Lately I have noticed stutters when playing more demanding games (Delta Force for example), which made me think about possible routes.
I either stay on AM4, but upgrade to 5700X3D with 32GB of 3600/CL18 RAM. This is the cheaper route, but locks me into a dead platform for a few years again.
Other option is to go for AM5, and sell my parts for roughly 200-250€ to offset my costs.
Since I am not using my computer nearly as much as I used to, I would like to spend the least amount of money on it, but I also don't want to burn myself in the long run.
Which option would be the more viable?
PS: I am not able to post links in here, so I will do so in the comments.
valqyrie@reddit
If you don't want to spend much sell your cpu and get a 5700x3d/5800x3d depending on the price. It should carry you for another couple years until you require a new GPU or something like that. Hopefully by the time you need an upgrade you can skip to AM6 and save some money.
Background_Yam9524@reddit
I have AM4 with Ryzen 7 5800X3D and I don't intend to upgrade until AM6.
13b4l@reddit
Same. My 5800x3d and 6950xt should be just fine until then.
CleverZerg@reddit
Yeah, I have a hard time imagining the 5800X3D will be a limiting factor any time soon. My RTX2080 however is definitely starting to show its age but going to try to hold on to it for a few more years.
AlexCrimson@reddit
My 5800x3D maxes out on Star Citizen now, for whatever reason.
Although i doubt many games will require that kind of power in the coming years. SC is a horribly unoptimised mess.
Background_Yam9524@reddit
I gamed on a 2080 Super for a little while in the year 2024. It was wild to me how that card was high-end in 2018, but now it's just good for 1080p medium settings.
CleverZerg@reddit
What did you play and which frame rate were you aiming for? I'm gaming at 1440P and still play more recent games and higher demanding older ones at medium or high settings but I do only manage to reach around 90 fps often dipping down to 60 which certainly doesn't feel great.
I have to say that I'm quite happy with this purchase in hindsight. It didn't feel good while making the purchase since it was expensive as shit and only has 8GB VRAM but the market became even worse afterwards (at least for a while) so now this purchase doesn't feel so bad even though the card is quite weak now and I never got to utilize ray tracing since this first generation of RT cards were always too weak for it.
Background_Yam9524@reddit
With the 2080 Super I was able to hit 120 fps with medium settings in Fortnite and Doom Eternal. Raytracing was out of the question. I could play at 4K, but had to use DLSS performance, which was basically an internal resolution of 1080p.
fxresparks@reddit
I dont think theres a wrong choice here. If you plan on selling your old parts to upgrade, now is better. If you plan on keeping the parts though its better to wait.
lintstah1337@reddit
Sell everything and get a cheap used or refurb B650 like an MSI B650 Tomahawk $100~$150 and a used Ryzen 7 7500f for $110~$160 and get an M-Die or A-Die DDR 5.
Non-X3D Zen 4 is faster or very similar in gaming performance compared to X3D Zen 3 with the exception of some games like Assetto Corsa, Factorio.
For other things like emulation, video encoding, compression, machine learning, rendering, Zen 4 is noticeably better than Zen 3 (with the same amount of cores).
captainstormy@reddit
If I were you I'd probably skip AM5 and just go AM6 later when it comes out.
The 5700x3D is a pretty pricey upgrade really. You could get a 5800X for 100 less.
That said the 5600X is still a very solid CPU. I'd probably start with just a RAM upgrade and see how that feels. Then if you still wanna upgrade grab a 5800X for like 147.
Powerful-Drummer1678@reddit
Am4 lasted 8 years, and if am5 does too, that's 5 more years!
captainstormy@reddit
AM4 lasted an extra few years because of COVID, supply chain issues and chip shortages. It was only supposed to last 5 years originally. Which is what AMD has said AM5 will last, which would mean about 2-3 more years.
OP is looking at around 650 for a new motherboard, ram, cpu and cooler to go AM5. That would be for a 7600x3D which is on the lower end of AM5 as well.
Or they can upgrade their AM4 system with a 5700X3D and more ram for 275.
Or as I suggest a 5800X and new RAM for 198.
If OP goes AM5 for 650 they almost certainly are going to end up upgrading CPU again in the next few years so that is even more cost.
On the other hand, a 5800X and more ram upgrade is less than a third that price for them, and there won't really be any more upgrading to do before AM6 comes out. Save that extra money and some more in the meantime for AM6.
eBazsa@reddit (OP)
OP here: The AM5 upgrade would be 170€ for mobo, 300 for the CPU and 130€ for the RAM. I would only buy the AIO if I cannot use a low profile cooler in the case as I don't want to worry about an AIO if it's not needed.
The main reason for the upgrade is the stutters in game, which I think are caused by the 5600X paired with the RTX3080, that's why I was mostly thinking about going for an X3D chip. I checked and the 9600X wasn't giving me any real advantage in that regard when I checked some benchmarks on YouTube.
captainstormy@reddit
A 5600X should be able to keep up with a 3080 but I'd suggest installing something like Mangohud and watching it while you play games, it'll help you figure out what the actual problem is and then you'll know where to best spend money.
I'd watch a couple of things:
Watching that info will give you a good idea of what is going on with the system and what you need to update.
If you see your CPU temp spiking and throttling happening try upgrading your cooler. Not sure how good of a job that low profile cooler does for you.
If you see RAM getting maxed, upgrade ram.
VRAM getting maxed upgrade the GPU.
GPU temp thermal throttling means more case fans and maybe a repaste.
If your CPU utilization is maxing out, upgrade the CPU.
GPU utilization at 100% and everything else being fine probably means you just need a better GPU.
Either way your AM4 Upgrade will be half of what your AM5 upgrade would be. I'd rather just wait and get in the ground floor of AM6 in a couple of years and save the difference for an upgrade later, or maybe put it towards a new GPU later.
eBazsa@reddit (OP)
Long story short: I max out everything by playing Delta Force on 1440p almost maxed out with DLSS set to performance. RAM is just below 16GB, CPU usage is 96.9% and GPU usage was 100% peak.
The low profile cooler is fine apart from it being kinda loud and an annoying whine due to possible turbulence, but CPU reaches 75C.
GPU is kinda the weakest link even though it's an RTX3080FE. I am setting DLSS to Performance because on Quality it reaches 80C and it's noisy as hell. Unfortunately, my consciousness won't allow me to spend the kind of money which would be required for a meaningful upgrade.
captainstormy@reddit
So I found this video of a benchmark in Deltaforce with a 3080 and 5600. They do 1080p and 1440p at every level.
https://youtu.be/Sj-yn2GJQuM?si=JHhdA5QNnruoffn4
At 1440p Extreme that video is reading 120-150fps. The CPU is less than 50% usage and the GPU isn't even maxed.
The only thing hitting max in that video seems to be RAM which seems to be filling the whole 16G in the video.
In that example the CPU and GPU aren't an issue. Neither one of them are maxed. The reason the FPS isn't higher is either that the system could use more RAM for that game. Or it could just be the game engine itself.
eBazsa@reddit (OP)
Sorry, CPU was 96.9 peak on one of the cores, the average was around 60 for me.
Klappmesser@reddit
The 5700x3d is more than enough with a 3080. I run a 5800x3d with a 5070ti and it's great. You don't really need more just start over when you're ready for a complete upgrade in a few years.
KFC_Junior@reddit
am5 has 1 more generation for sure but considering amd had to confirm that, itll probs be the last
BrewingHeavyWeather@reddit
AM5 is good into 2027. One more full CPU generation is in the bag. A second may happen, if DDR6 is late and/or scarce. If DDR6 availability and speed is good early on, Zen 7 will likely go to AM6 only.
Emblazoned1@reddit
Since you already have a complete system and don't want to spend that much money just go with the drop in replacements. DDR4 is kinda cheap right now is go used and a 5700x3d would probably do the job just fine for you.
caffeine182@reddit
Is the 5700x3d a worthwhile upgrade from a ryzen 3600 if I want to make the jump to 1440p? And can I use my same motherboard? I’m a noob to all of this.
ChenzVee@reddit
Yes, I did 5600 to 5800x3d and it was worth it. 3600 to 5700x3d will be massive. What mobo do you have? All of the b450+ should support it with a bios update, 300 series I'm not sure.
ChenzVee@reddit
5800x3d user here, no plans to upgrade until AM6 comes out.
SamerAgbaria@reddit
Wait for am6 I do not thik the jump to am5 would be worth 5700x3d is still a great cpu for modern standards.
Snoo_11263@reddit
Anyone with 5800x3d/AM4 planning to just ride it out until AM6? what GPU are you guys using? Anyone with a 5090?
Kociolinho@reddit
Not a 5800x3d but 5900x+4070Ti Super@1440p user here.
I can't see myself spending $700-800 to gain maybe 10% in games (if I set graphics settings to mid/low) and virtually nothing in productivity. I think I'll wait at least until early AM6.
BrewingHeavyWeather@reddit
Another happy 5700X3D upgradee, here, with 64GB. If you're coming from a 3000 series, or cache-crippled Renoir or Cezanne, it's a very noticeable upgrade. For gaming, though, it's very nice, and puts you around the current $200 CPUs, in the worst case, without changing anything else.
Photo editing and CAD won't make much use of it, making it more like upgrading to a 5700X. So, the question there is: do fractions of a second of waiting on aspects of those tasks, other than starting, opening, and saving projects, add up to potential lost money or frustration? If not, then you'll be fine. For all the complicated and large things you can be working with, these days, smaller photos, and simple models and assemblies, don't need much more in the way of processing resources than they did 15 years ago. If so, though, make the AM5 upgrade.
eBazsa@reddit (OP)
No, photo editing and CAD is very much on the hobby level, so it's not that important to consider, I just put that there for transparency.
Collectsteve850@reddit
Either way you should go for AM5, but what GPU do you have?
eBazsa@reddit (OP)
RTX3080
BryanTheGodGamer@reddit
Delta force is more demanding? I run it on max graphics with my 3060TI on 1440p, it looks incredible and i never drop a single frame, honestly one of the best optimized games in years.
eBazsa@reddit (OP)
That was my initial impression as well, but lately I have noticed significant stutters on 1440p with a 3080, so I can only blame my 5600X not keeping up. I might be totally in the wrong here though.
cmacy6@reddit
I got a 5700x3d almost a year ago and have no complaints. I’m hoping to ride it out until AM6
Valuable_Flight_5577@reddit
I just upgraded from Ryzen 5 3600 to 5700x3d and added extra 16gb of ram for 32gb total (3600mhz cl18). I was on the same crossroads but decided to stay with am4. Very happy with my choice, eSports performance doubled for me at 1440p and I think I will skip am5 altogether. I do run a 5700 xt GPU and thinking about upgrading
dont_be_that_guy_29@reddit
This is my story as well. Upgraded from the 3600 to a 5700x3d, more RAM, and upgraded from a 1070Ti to a 2080. Night and day difference! Just recently played Doom TDA at 1440 on High settings and it ran buttery smooth, never skipped a beat, at 60fps.
busbybob@reddit
Stay with AM4. I put a x3d in mine, still have 16gb RAM with a 3080 and it does what I need it to.
jbourne0129@reddit
my 5700x3d is crushing everything i throw at it. easily going to get several more years out of my current rig
Tom_Der@reddit
If you stick to AM4 you can probably skip AM5 and just do the big upgrade when AM6 drops. (My current plan)
Or if you're not sure you will have satisfaction with this upgrade you can always go on a 7000-series CPU on AM5.
If your photo editing/CAD is part of your living I would say go AM5, otherwise if it's mostly a hobby a 5700X3D will do more than fine. Can also fix your Delta Force stuttering.
eBazsa@reddit (OP)
Current AM4
Upgraded AM4
AM5 - if I can stay on air cooling, then the investment is ~500€ but if I have to move to water cooling, than it is an additional 100€. I chose this particular MoBo because I can get it for 170€ on the used market.
Primus_is_OK_I_guess@reddit
There is no reason you would need to move to water cooling. Especially if you're going with a 7600x3d. Its TDP is only 65 watts.
Powerful-Drummer1678@reddit
Just upgrade to the 5700x3d and keep your current parts, it'll probably last you long.
Primus_is_OK_I_guess@reddit
If you stay on AM4 you will want to upgrade again sooner. It will cost you more in the long run.
scanguy25@reddit
I'd just stay with AM4. Yes new parts are not gonna be coming but you can coast on a 5700X3D for many years.
That's my plan anyway.
meevis_kahuna@reddit
I just did the 5700x3d upgrade and it is meeting all of my needs. 32GB ram is also good.
Obviously am5 is a better long term investment but I didn't want to bother with a full rebuild nor spend the money on it. To actually get increased performance with am5 I would be looking at $600+ and it wasn't necessary. You can't future proof anyway so "dead platform" isn't meaningful to me.
For me it was a quick relatively inexpensive purchase, CPU swap, and done.
If I want to upgrade lll likely sell this whole PC as a unit and start over.
VinnieChengYT@reddit
what's your gpu?
Pinkydoodle2@reddit
Go for am5