Updated at: 19-04-2022 - By: Leo Hall

In the last several years, AMD CPUs have improved to the point where they are no longer only an affordable alternative to Intel CPUs. Intel CPUs haven’t been able to keep up with them for a few generations, but they’ve finally caught up and now offer the best price/performance ratio. All of the top gaming CPUs currently available are powered by AMD processors. However, we believe that AMD’s current CPUs are worth the investment in especially when compared to the cost of entry into the platform for Intel’s latest Alder Lake processors. The most powerful AMD CPUs currently on the market will be examined in this article.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 9 590X and the Ryzen 9 5900X dominate the market for high-end CPUs, even though it is true. We believe that the Ryzen 5 5600X CPU is the best value for your money. There are a number of reasons why this is our pick for the finest AMD processors available in 2021. The $300 AMD processor is capable of delivering a devastating blow to Intel’s mid-range offerings. It’s a terrific all-around processor that can handle a wide range of tasks, including gaming, content creation, and productivity.

AMD’s Zen 3 architecture, built on a 7nm technology, powers the Ryzen 5 5600X’s twelve threads and six cores. In terms of instruction-per-cycle (IPC) efficiency, the new CPU is 19% more efficient than its predecessor. With its redesigned cache structure and improved memory overclocking, the Ryzen 5 5600X is an excellent choice for gamers. The 65W TDP of this Ryzen 5 5600X makes it one of AMD’s most energy-efficient CPUs in the Ryzen 5000 series. In terms of power efficiency, Intel has nothing to match the Ryzen 5 5600X.

AMD’s Ryzen 5 5600X has a base clock speed of 3.7 GHz and can reach 4.6 GHz when overclocked. When conditions are favorable, however, the processor has been known to exceed 5GHz’s official maximum frequency of 4.6GHz. The Ryzen 5 5600X can be overclocked. Ryzen 5 5600X, a more powerful version of the processor, is now available. Even while it isn’t quite as good as the Ryzen 9 5950X, it comes quite close at a quarter of the price. In comparison to the competition, it boasts a 36MB L3 cache.

In terms of ability to execute, It’s a beast when it comes to performance. The Ryzen 5 5600X is a beast that can hold its own against most Intel processors in its class and even some of the higher-end offerings from the blue team. In single-threaded workloads, such as watching 1080p video, it even beats the Core i9-10900K. One of the most powerful processors that you can acquire for your gaming system without breaking the bank is the AMD Athlon X2 CPU. Even with an overclock, the Core i7-10700K is unlikely to be as quick as the Ryzen 5 Ryzen 5 5600X.

In terms of overall platform entry pricing, the nicest thing about the Ryzen 5 5600X is that it can be easily fitted into current motherboards thanks to the AM4 socket. For your new AMD processor, we’ve compiled a list of the best AMD motherboards. The X570 and B550 chipsets, as well as others in the 500-series, are compatible with this processor. The 400-series chipset can be used, however we recommend upgrading to either the X570 or B550 to get PCIe 4.0 capability and additional features.

It’s a fantastic CPU, according to us. In 2021, the Ryzen 5 5600X is an excellent processor, despite the fact that there are so many other possibilities. Alternatively, you could go with a Ryzen 9 5900X or Ryzen 9 5950X, but we believe that the Ryzen 5 5600X is more than plenty for anyone looking to build a strong gaming PC.

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

Even though the Ryzen 5 5600X is our pick for the best AMD CPU currently on the market, we think devoted gamers who want the best gaming performance should try setting up with the Ryzen 7 5800X instead. For single-threaded gaming applications, this processor offers significant gains that are worth a closer study. With 8 cores per CCX, AMD has drastically shortened the time between cores by raising the number from four to eight. To further enhance chip speed, each core has direct access to 32MB of L3 cache.

Multi-core performance is impressive, too, thanks to AMD Ryzen 7 5800X’s 16 threads. People who want to work in the content development area will find this a fantastic option. Additionally, it’s a great alternative for streamers who want to broadcast their game live on networks like Twitch. The 32MB L3 memory on the Ryzen 7 5800X can boost clock speeds to as high as 4.7GHz. This Ryzen 7 5800X has the same specifications as the previous version, but it has a faster boost speed. Considering that each core is directly connected to all cache, this is a significant boost. In games, it’s expected to increase IPC by roughly 39 percent.

There’s one thing about the Ryzen 7 5800X that we don’t like: it doesn’t come with a normal cooler. This is an unacceptable error, even though most gamers and enthusiasts have the option of purchasing an external CPU cooling. If you’re running this CPU at stock settings, we believe the accompanying AMD Wraith cooler would have been an excellent choice. There is a price rise as well, as the Ryzen 7 5800X is not as cheap at initially. While the Ryzen 7 3800X was priced at $399 when released, the Ryzen 7 5800X is $150 more expensive at $449. It’s a strong CPU worth considering, but we believe it might have been made more economical, or at the very least more attractive, by including a package cooler.

In fact, the Ryzen 7 5800X didn’t fully compete with Intel until the Alder Lake CPUs were released recently. In order to take use of these new processors, motherboards and cooling must be upgraded, which increases the cost of entry into the platform. With the Ryzen 7 5800X, which has an AM4 socket and is compatible with the 500-series motherboards, we believe that they are superior in overall performance. Although Intel’s Core i7-10700K is nearly identical to AMD’s Ryzen 7 5800X in terms of performance, it is not better in any manner. With regards to gaming and content creation, we believe 5800X is the best chip out there. For the time being, the best deal on this CPU may be found by comparing it to the ones listed below.

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

As the highest CPU in AMD’s 5000 series of 5000, the Ryzen 9 5950X crosses the lines between mainstream and high-end desktop processors. This Ryzen 9 5950X processor has 16 cores and is incredibly powerful. Until the brand new 12th generation Alder Lake CPUs arrived, Intel did not have a solution to this problem. Compared to the 5950X, Intel’s closest rival is the Core i9-1090XE Extreme Edition, which is substantially more expensive. It is our processor that we recommend to gamers, content creators, and everyone in between searching for the very best performance.

Nowhere near the Threaripper chips in terms of raw power, its Ryzen 9 5950X is a close second. It is equipped with 32 threads and 16 cores, making it more than capable of handling any task. For most users, this Ryzen 9 5950X model is preferable than the Threadripper. As a result of its compatibility with the old and widely used socket AM4, Ryzen 9 5950X may be installed on any 500-series motherboard. A bigger motherboard socket and a unique TRX40 chipset are included with the Threadripper CPUs.

5950X, AMD’s Ryzen 9 processor It has a basic speed of 3.4GHz, however it may be boosted to 4.9Ghz. Although the base clock speed of the 5950X is lower than the 3950X’s 3.5Ghz, the boost clock is significantly more powerful. The 3950X from the previous generation has been updated by AMD with minor modifications worth an extra $50. The TDP of both CPUs is the same at 105 watts, thanks to the use of the same 7nm manufacturing process. A TDP of 165W is found in the Intel Core i9-1080XE while the 5950X has a TDP of 115W. The Ryzen 9 5950X can be overclocked at speeds greater than 5GHz under optimal conditions, and this has been demonstrated.

To get the most out of this Ryzen 9 5950X, we recommend utilizing it with a suitable motherboard. ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, and other motherboard manufacturers make motherboards that use the X 570 chipset, so you can quickly push this particular CPU to its limits. Be aware that you can easily exceed the capabilities of this particular CPU. Ryzen 9 5950X does not include a CPU cooler; you will have to purchase one separately. Large fan coolers and AIO liquid coolers can be used to keep the temperature of your setup under control. To avoid performance issues, it is not advisable to cut corners on the CPU cooler and motherboard.

To save money, you could upgrade to a Ryzen 9 5900X instead of this CPU. The Ryzen 7 5800X may be an option for you at this stage. AMD’s flagship mainstream CPU, the Ryzen 9 5950X, is a top-of-the-line model. When it comes to AMD processors, this is our best pick for mainstream, high-performance AMD chips until the brand new AM5 architecture is released in 2015.

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

It’s the Ryzen 9 5900X and the Ryzen 9 5950X that make up AMD’s 5000 series product line, which includes the Ryzen 9 5950X. Despite the fact that it isn’t as fast as Ryzen 9 5950X, this AMD CPU is one of the most potent high-performance AMD CPUs available right now. The Zen 3 architecture, which AMD created from the ground up to improve IPC efficiency and the processor’s overall efficiency, is the foundation for this model. Despite its higher TDP, Ryzen 9 5900X can still be considered the most efficient CPU on the market today. In terms of performance, Ryzen 9 5900X is on par with other CPUs in the 5000 series.

An AMD Ryzen 9 5900X has a total of twelve cores and twenty-four threads. Ryzen 9 5950X, in contrast, boasts a whopping 32 threads and 16 cores. Because of this, the 5900X is essentially a rebadged 5950X. That’s because we think the Ryzen 9 5950X is specifically designed for enthusiasts, and as a result, it’s priced accordingly. Although it has a maximum boost speed of 4.8Ghz, under ideal conditions, it can easily reach 5Ghz. The distributed cache of the Ryzen 9 3900X doesn’t have 32MB of L3 cache memory available to every core in this CPU.

Ryzen 9 5900X has a maximum TDP of roughly 140W, which is less than the previous generation could accomplish at its maximum performance even with a big number of cores. Zen 3’s current architecture is a clear indication of how well-optimized it really is. In terms of power, these 5000 series processors are among the most powerful available today. These 5000-series processors have a lot of potential for AMD.

The Ryzen 9 5900X CPU’s AM4 socket means that you don’t need to buy a new motherboard if you currently have an AM4-compatible motherboard. The Ryzen 5000-series CPU, like all the others, may be installed directly into a 500-series motherboard. If you want the most out of this processor, we recommend purchasing an X570 processor that is based on it. Because AMD no longer provides basic coolers with its ultra-high-performance CPUs, overclocking the 5900X may require the purchase of an efficient CPU cooler. If you plan to overclock this Ryzen 9 5900X, you should invest in a huge fan cooler or at the absolute least a 240mm AIO to keep the beast’s temperature under control.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X

It’s an outdated processor, but we think it deserves a spot on our list. This is our pick for the best AMD processor currently on the market at a reasonable price. It is the 2600X’s successor, the 3600X, which lags below the most recent 5600X in terms of performance. In single-threaded tasks, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X CPU is fast enough to compete with other Hexa Core processors. The suffix ‘X’ denotes that this processor can be overclocked in order to increase its performance. Overclocking is an option for individuals who want to fiddle with the system’s settings for improved performance, which is why we recommend the 3600X over the basic 3600X.

An fantastic gaming CPU may be found in the Ryzen 5 3600X CPU. To begin with, it has an initial speed of 3.62GHz and a maximum speed of 4.42Ghz. This is typical of the vast majority of processors now on the market. The L3 cache, which is 35MB in capacity, is what sets Ryzen 5 3600X apart from other processors. Ryzen 5 2600 and 2600X have a shared cache of 16MB, which is more than twice as large as the cache on the newer Ryzen 5 2600X. With the Ryzen 5 3600X CPU, you get 24 processor-based PCI Express 4.0 lanes and 16 chipset-based PCI Express lanes. One of the CPUs that supported PCIe 4.0, although Intel’s new Alder Lake processors include PCIe 5.0 capability for the Alder Lake family.

Other than gaming, Ryzen 5 3600X is an excellent multi-threaded processor. It’s possible to use this processor for both making and streaming content, but you’ll have to be realistic. It often outperforms the more powerful Ryzen 7 3800X, which is amazing. As a result, it’s a better pick than Intel’s 9th generation CPUs in this price bracket. Because it uses an AM4 socket, it can be installed in a motherboard from either the 500-series or 400-series. Instead of purchasing the more expensive X570-based motherboards, we recommend combining it with a B550 or B450 motherboard.

Wraith Spire cooler is included, making it a great option for buyers who wish to save money. The cooler that comes with it is capable of running the Ryzen 3600X at its stock settings. If you’re going to overclock your 3600X, you’ll likely need a more powerful cooling system. Overall, this Ryzen 5 3600X model is a wonderful low-cost CPU that may be used now or even in 2021. If you’re looking for a budget build, you can do worse than the 3600X, even though the newer 5500 series AMD CPUs may be better. You may get the best pricing for this CPU by looking at the table below.

AMD Ryzen 7 5700G

An APU is the best way to get started playing games on your new PC without needing to buy a separate graphics card. Since obtaining a graphics card is now more difficult than ever before, this is particularly wonderful news. If you’re in the market for a new APU but are on a tight budget, we recommend the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G as the most cost-effective gaming CPU option available right now. There’s no denying that the Ryzen 5 5600G is less expensive than this model, but we think it’s better to spend more money on the finest processor so that if a separate graphics card becomes necessary, you’ll be able to buy it. They’re also easier to find and more affordable than ever before.

AMD’s “Cezzane” APUs include the Ryzen 7 5700G. AMD’s APU product line has an 8-core CPU that is superior to the Ryzen 5 5600G and the quad-core Ryzen 3 5300G. The Ryzen 7 5800X and Ryzen 5 5600X are more expensive, but you get more performance for your money with this chip. AMD has always had a strong foothold in the APU industry, and the new Ryzen 7 5700G is no exception. Powered by Zen 3 architecture, it has 16 threads and 8 cores. It has a 3.8GHz base speed and a 4.6GHz boost speed. That’s impressive because it has a lower TDP of 65W. Other 5000-series chips outperform this one.

Is it exactly the same as the Ryzen 7 5800X with an iGPU, the Ryzen 7 5700G? The L3 cache has been lowered and PCIe 4.0 capability has been withdrawn by AMD. There are no PCIe 4.0-based components, such as the newer SSDs, therefore performance on the Ryzen 7 5700G is rather limited. It supports DDR4-3200 memory, which is excellent. As a bonus, this Ryzen 7 5700G comes with AMD’s Wraith Stealth cooling, which is a fantastic addition. Your PC will be cheaper because of the savings you’ll get from not buying as many expensive parts.

Its Ryzen 7 5700G is also compatible with the AM4 motherboards now on the market. If you’re upgrading from an AMD processor, this is a wonderful option. Even though Intel’s Alder Lake CPUs are arguably more efficient, the new 500 series AMD chips are particularly attractive because of their power and low cost of entry into the platform. The GCN cores in this integrated GPU are 512 and operate at 2GHz, while the Vega architecture has eight compute units and 512 cores.

Because these integrated GPUs rely on shared memory, you should acquire a high-quality RAM with good memory speed in order to get the most out of this specific APU’s capabilities. While gaming is possible with this APU, we advise you to keep your expectations low because you may anticipate a bare-bones gaming experience from this.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600G

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700G is without a doubt the most powerful APU you can purchase right now for a budget gaming setup, but because of its incredible cost-to-performance ratio, we believe the Ryzen 5 5600G certainly deserves to be included in this list as well. This is our second pick for the best AMD APU currently on the market. With 96% of the performance of the more costly 5700G APU, this APU begins to diminish the luster of the more affordable 5700. The price of graphics cards will come down before you can afford a more expensive APU.

Based on Zen 3, the 5600G has an AMD Ryzen 5 5600G processor and Vega graphics. Twelve threads and six cores are available on the 5600G. At 3.9GHz, it runs at its lowest setting; at 4.4GHz, it ramps up to its maximum setting. An astounding 65W TDP is listed for this particular APU. The Ryzen 5 5600G cuts the price of the Ryzen 5 5600X by $40, making it an excellent alternative for people creating an entry-level PC. This series of AMD 5000 series. When the market is stable, it is possible to buy an additional discrete GPU.

DDR4-3200 memory speeds are also supported by the Ryzen 5000G, which is amazing. There are integrated GPUs that use shared system memory, so it’s probably not a good idea to compromise on the amount of RAM you have available. While you have integrated graphics with the Ryzen 5 5600X, PCIe 4.0 functionality is missing. Additionally, you’ll lose 200Mhz of base clock speeds and just half of the L3 cache, so keep that in mind. In view of the fact that you can purchase an iGPU for the same price, which is $40 cheaper, we believe the price is reasonable.

However, the Ryzen 7 5700G is a better choice if you’re planning to buy a high-end GPU in the near future. As powerful GPUs become available, the 5600G may become a bottleneck. There is a distinct lack of X-like features in this Ryzen 5 5600G compared to the 5600X. If you already have an integrated GPU, though, the 5600X is the best choice.

AMD Threadripper Pro 3995WX

HEDT processors are dominated by AMD’s Threadripper 3000 series, which has the most powerful CPUs. The truth is, though, It’s even better with the Threadripper Pro CPUs, which enable the eight memory channels and all of the PCIe lanes. Those in search of the utmost in raw computing power have an additional option in AMD Threadripper Pro 3995WX. Having 64 cores and 128 threads, it is the most powerful in terms of high-end computing. Lenovo’s ThinkStation P620 workstations were the only ones with this particular chip and several others. AMD, on the other hand, took the right decision by releasing only a limited amount of them for retail sale.

Its AMD Threadripper Pro is one of the best workstation CPUs on the market thanks to a number of amazing features. Intel dual socket systems with up to 56 CPUs can’t compete with the 3995WX’s performance. AMD has long been the market leader in workstation CPUs, so this isn’t much of a problem for them. The 3995WX and Threadripper 3990X are very similar, however the 3995WX offers a few unique features that can’t be ignored. As a result, its Threadripper Pro 3995WX has eight DDR4-3200 memory channels, which means that the four-channel alternatives are going to have a significantly higher quantity of memory. A DDR4-2933 memory configuration is the highest possible on the Intel Xeon W processors. DDR4-2933 is also an option.

Additionally, AMD has increased the maximum memory capacity for systems with at least two DIMMs per channel to 2TB. AMD’s current consumer models only support up to 256GB of RAM, which is a big improvement over this new model. Aside from a 72-lane PCIe version on the standard Threadripper models, AMD is also boosting the PCIe version to 128 lanes on its Pro variant. This makes it an excellent alternative for professionals who wish to take advantage of PCIe peripherals’ capabilities. A single socket chassis can accommodate up to four Nvidia Quadro GPUs, putting things into perspective. This is just breathtaking.

Despite this, it’s worth noting that this particular CPU requires extra care. This is a high-end workstation chip, denoted by the suffix “WX,” for use in motherboards with the single socket WRX80 (sWRX8). They are some of the most expensive motherboards on the market today because they have an effective power delivery system capable of handling the force generated by these massive CPUs. Powered by the 280W AMD Threadripper Pro 3995WX, this processor can reach speeds in excess of four gigahertz. A 64-core CPU on EPYC can only go as fast as 2.25 GHz, meaning this chip’s base frequency is higher than EPYC’s.

A good decision all around. A high-performance workstation CPU, the AMD Threadripper 3995WX, is one of the most powerful on the market. In the single-socket ecosystem, there is no other CPU that performs as well as this one. The Ryzen 9 5900X or the Ryzen 9 5950X, both of which fall under the category of mainstream CPUs, are the best options for most consumers. Unlike the Threadripper, they don’t have the same high barrier to entry into platforms, and they’re less pricey.

Conclusion:

It’s true that everyone’s tastes and financial resources are unique. This is why a few choices have been made.

If you’re on a budget and looking for the most economical gaming CPU, the Ryzen 3 3100 is the obvious choice for you. Take into account that you’ll probably have to replace your system quite quickly, especially if you wish to upgrade to a higher-performance GPU in the future, despite the fact that it’s relatively inexpensive.

If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to consider purchasing an AMD APU instead. They are AMD CPUs with strong built-in graphics that are incredibly efficient (at the very least, in comparison to the capabilities Intel offers) You may save a lot of money by using them instead of a dedicated graphics card, even though their performance isn’t as high.