If you’re a gamer or any productivity user, deciding on which CPU to buy is always a tough choice. Moreover, if you plan on building on a budget but still want the best performance for your money; you’d be asking yourself “Intel or AMD?”  

As it stands now, its Team Blue who offers cheaper options in their latest line-up. The surprisingly competent Core i5 11400F is a tiny beast of a CPU. Nonetheless, it’s only fair that we compare it to Team Red’s cheapest offering among their latest Zen 3 processors; the Ryzen 5 5600X. Read on to find out whether you really need to cough up more dough for AMD, or if you’ll be just fine sticking to Intel’s newly crowned budget champ.

Specifications

Model	Core i5 11400	Ryzen 5 5600x
Design
Cores/Threads	6/12	6/12
Base Clock	2.6GHz	3.7GHz
Boost Clock	4.4GHz	4.6GHz
TDP	65W	65W
Included Cooler	Intel Stock Cooler	Wraith Stealth
MSRP	$157	$299
Availability	Amazon.com	Amazon.com

At first glance, the specifications show that the Ryzen 5 5600X will vastly outperform the Core i5 11400F. However, it’s also clear why since Team Red’s cheapest Zen 3 offering costs nearly twice as much as the 11400F at its MSRP. The base clock speed of the Ryzen 5 is much higher than that of the Core i5 11400F, while its boost clock is another 200MHz higher than that of Team Blue.

Both have the same advertised thermal design power; however, this means little since in real use cases the power draw of both chips will be higher.

In order to see just how much these two processors differ in terms of performance, let’s turn to the benchmarks.

1080p Gaming- Mixed

*Benchmarks courtesy of Benchmark– YouTube

The 1080p gaming benchmarks show the Ryzen 5 5600X being mostly ahead of the Core i5 11400F. The only exceptions being Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Red Dead Redemption 2; two very GPU intensive games that both have equal average framerates on both processors. Cyberpunk 2077 sees a slightly higher framerate on the Core i5 11400F. But this difference is a tossup between either, so your mileage may vary. The largest variation in FPS is shown in Metro Exodus, with the Ryzen 5 gaining 12 frames per second over the Core i5.

All-in-all, the eight game averages for Team Blue and Team Red are 134 and 137.25 respectively. It goes without saying that for games, paying nearly double for an average 2% increase in framerate does not seem all that worth it.

Productivity Benchmarks- Ryzen 5 5600X

Moving onto CPU intensive productivity workloads, we can see how the $157 MSRP Core i5 11400F fares against the much more expensive Ryzen 5 5600X.

 Starting off with the Cinebench R20 Multi Core benchmark, the Core i5 11400F cores 3954, while the Ryzen 5 5600X scored 4462; an expected gain. Moving onto the Single Core workloads in Cinebench R20, Team Blue manages to obtain a score of 541 with Team Red blasting past with a score of 600.

The 7-Zip File Manager Compression test shows the Core i5 11400F achieve a score of 59002. The Ryzen 5 5600X again trumps Intel with a score of 72344. In the Decompression test, the 11400F scored 64461 while the 5600X was ahead by a good margin with 86940.

In the SiSoft Sandra Cryptography Multi Threaded performance test, the Core i5 11400F achieved a speed of 18.2 GB/s, and as usual the Ryzen 5 5600X was faster at 19.2 GB/s. Meanwhile the 11400F managed to complete the Chromium Code Compile test in 7995 seconds, while the faster Zen 3 5600X completed it in 7047 seconds. The DaVinci Resolve 4K benchmarks scores show that Team Blue and Team Red are quite close, with the former having a score of 969, though the latter outdoes it with a score of 1017.

The Adobe Premiere Pro 2020 benchmark results award the 11400F and 5600X with scores of 677 and 746 respectively. The two processors are again quite close in the Adobe Photoshop 2020 test, with the Core i5 having a score of 1017 and the Ryzen 5 having a score of 1076.

Finally, the Blender Open Data render times for both CPUs show that the Ryzen 5 5600X reached completion in 1122 seconds while the 11400F took longer at 1233 seconds.

Unlike the gaming benchmark, the productivity results for the two CPUs give a very binary result. The Zen 3 based Ryzen 5 5600X is clearly much faster than Intel’s Rocket Lake budget counterpart. Users primarily aiming for a workstation build would appreciate the added performance and faster render times provided by Team Red; even if it means it costs much more. However, it is impressive to see the results of the Core i5 11400F often surpassing last year’s Core i5 10600K; which was a much pricier processor at launch.

*Benchmarks courtesy of Hardware Unboxed– YouTube

Power Consumption- Ryzen 5 5600X

When it comes to total system power draw, there are no surprises here. Intel’s notoriously high power consumption is again evident here, as the Core i5 11400F equipped system had a total power draw of 181W during the Blender render. Meanwhile, the Ryzen 5 5600X consumed less power at 157W while outperforming the Team Blue variant during the same test. So, if you wish to build a cool Small Form Factor PC, it might be worth spending extra to get the less power-hungry CPU.

Compatibility- Both

In terms of motherboard inter-generational compatibility, both Intel and AMD are on their last legs. The long-supported socket AM4 ends its compatibility with the Ryzen 5000 series of processors. Similarly; as Intel only supports two generations of CPU per socket, the support for LGA 1200 ends with the Rocket Lake line-up of CPUs. So, if you ever wish to upgrade from either processor, you will need to spend extra on a newer motherboard as well.

Verdict

If you’re planning on solely gaming on your PC, there really is only one way to go: Intel. But this is not because they’ve got the most powerful gaming processors. In fact, it’s only because of the enormous demand and supply constraints that have affected the Ryzen 5000 series that you will be better off with the 11^th Gen Core i5 11400F. Currently, the Ryzen 5 5600X sells for $450 US Dollars on Amazon. In contrast, the street price of the Core i5 11400F is only $174. Since it’s simply dull-witted to spend $276 dollars more for a 10 FPS gain, gamers are better off with the newly crowned budget champ; the 11400F.

If you’re a workstation or productivity user on a budget however, you might need to consider ponying up the premium for a Ryzen 5 5600X. It outperforms the Intel counterpart in productivity workloads by quite a margin, and since time is money; you will probably be glad you chose AMD in the long run.

Check out some of our guides below to help you with your next Intel or AMD build:

Core i5 11400F Builds:

• Best Intel Core i5-11400(F) Build for 2021 (Gaming / All-Round Use)
• 6 Best Z590 Motherboards for Intel ‘Rocket Lake’ Builds

Ryzen 5 5600X builds:

• 4 Best CPU Coolers for the Ryzen 5 5600X
• 4 Best Power Supplies for Ryzen 5 5600X Builds
• 5 Best Motherboards for the Ryzen 5 5600X
• $1400 Ryzen 5 5600X Gaming Build – The Best Value PC Build for
• 4 Best Graphics Cards for Ryzen 5 5600X Builds
• $1800 Ryzen 5 5600X ITX Gaming Build for 2021

The post Intel Core i5 11400F vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600X: Which Is Best For You? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

Choosing a CPU for a new build, especially one focused on gaming, has never been easier. AMD has now dominated any competition from Intel with the release of its Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 Series processors. Not only do these CPUs outclass their equivalently priced Intel counterparts in multi-core performance, but they now also feature faster single-core speeds, and an energy efficiency that, quite frankly, puts Intel to shame.

Choosing between the available AMD CPU options is also quite simple. For gaming, it seems like the Ryzen 5 5600X is the best option, as it provides the most amount of value for its price; while also including a stock cooler that the other Zen 3 processors lack. Of course, it could be argued that the Ryzen 7 5800X is also a solid choice, as it has a full Core Complex (CCX) – with eight cores, 16 threads, and 32 MB of L3 Cache – though, its price leaves much to be desired in terms of value. 

TechSpot’s benchmarks show us that the Ryzen 5 5600X displays the best cost-per-frame ratios amongst all current-generation CPUs for both gaming and multi-core performance.

Because of the low, 65 Watt, TDP that the Ryzen 5 5600X features, this CPU can be flexible in terms of overclocking potential, as well as PC form factors that it can be used in. Choosing a proper PSU that will provide it with the sufficient amount of power it requires, as well as a proper efficiency rating and internal thermals, is not as easy a task as it may seem. There are many aspects to take into consideration to ensure a perfect fit for your overall setup.

Firstly, the wattage and efficiency. Though the Ryzen 5 5600X can operate just fine even with a 500W PSU, it is always best to allow leeway for any additional components that may be added down the line, as well as for overclocking – which results in the CPU drawing more power from the power supply. The 80 PLUS rating that best fits your needs will depend on the level of use of the PC. If it is to be used infrequently, for a couple of hours a day for example, then a Bronze rating will suffice; but if it is to be used for several hours a day, a Gold or Platinum Rating will better suit the build.

The power supply must also operate silently, which is dependent on the quality of the internal components, as well as the fan, and its type of bearings. Additionally, the PSU must be able to output most of its wattage through the +12V rail, as this is where the majority of energy is supplied to the most critical components: the CPU and GPU. Any additional external display features are always welcome to those that enjoy a flashy setup, like the ever-trending RGB illuminations.

Taking all the above into account, we have compiled a list of the best power supplies to pair with the Ryzen 5 5600X; depending on price, intended use, and form factor.

Best PSUs for Ryzen 5 5600X – Our Recommendations

Award	Design	Model	Wattage	Rating
Best Budget PSU for Ryzen 5 5600X		Gigabyte P650B	650W	80+ Bronze
Best Gaming PSU for Ryzen 5 5600X		Super Flower Leadex III	650W	80+ Gold
Best Low-Profile PSU for Ryzen 5 5600X		SilverStone SX700-PT	700W	80+ Platinum
Best PSU for Overclocking Ryzen 5 5600X		ASUS ROG Thor	850W	80+ Platinum

Best Budget PSU for Ryzen 5 5600X

Hardware components are definitely not getting any cheaper, and this is the case for both the Ryzen 5 5600X, and any accompanying GPU you may choose. In fact, the Ryzen 5 5600X saw an increase in price from its predecessor, the Ryzen 5 3600X, by 50%. Therefore, if you’re looking for a PSU on a budget, we can’t blame you. Of course, it is always wise to invest in a proper PSU, as it can outlast many of your existing PC components, but if you are intending to use your PC for just a few hours a day, buying an affordable power supply will work just fine.

The Gigabyte P650B is a PSU that costs under $100, and has features found in some of the higher-end power supply models. This 80 PLUS Bronze-rated PSU has an efficiency level between 82% and 85%, and includes a 120 mm fan that makes use of premium hydraulic bearings that are not usually found in budget products. The only downside to this fan is that it does not appear to be PWM controlled, so it will operate no matter what the load. Still, because of the hydraulic bearings, it will run at noise levels below 40 decibels, even at maximum loads, which isn’t that bad.

The Gigabyte P650B also features all-Japanese capacitors, produced by Nippon Chemi-Con and rated for temperatures of up to 105 degrees Celsius. These capacitors not only ensure reliability during operation, but also a longer lifespan for the PSU, which is rated to have a Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of 100,000 hours and is backed by a three-year warranty. 

The cables of the P650B are sleeved, again not seen in most budget-level power supplies, with a quality mesh braided wrapping for flexibility and reduced clutter. However, the P650B is a non-modular PSU, so unused cables will have to be tucked within the case.

One last thing to mention, is that this power supply has a single +12V rail, which can output 648 Watts, or 54 Amps, so you won’t have to worry about your CPU or GPU ever lacking the proper amount of power needed to operate, or even overclock.

Perhaps the best aspect of the Gigabyte P650B is its price, as you can find this model currently on sale for $59.99 – down from its original $74.99 MSRP.

Best Gaming PSU for Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is looking to be the ultimate CPU for gaming builds, as it provides framerate output that is within a 3.75% range of the Intel 10^th generation flagship i9-10900K – while costing almost half its price. This is why it has the best performance to price ratio of all new generation CPUs, including Intel CPUs as well. A PSU for a dedicated gaming build needs to have a solid 80 PLUS rating, high power output on the +12V rail, to supply the CPU and GPU for any overclocking use, and, of course, a stylish exterior with RGB lighting displays that can add some extra flare to the gaming rig.

The 650W PSU, the Super Flower Leadex III includes all of the above, at a very reasonable price. Firstly, it comes with a 80 PLUS Gold rating, which ensures an efficiency between 87% to 90%; ensuring that significant amounts of heat won’t spread from the PSU to other hardware components within the case during long gaming sessions. It also has ETA efficiency A certification, and a Lambda A+ noise level certification. To keep thermals and noise levels in check, it makes use of a 130 mm fan, with 11 blades and a contactless hydro-dynamic bearing design. The fan is also PWM controlled, allowing it to operate in a semi-passive mode when under low loads. In fact, this fan reaches an average of only 10.91 decibels of noise, meaning it is virtually inaudible.

The capacitors within are all 105-degree Celsius certified Japanese capacitors; including the main board and the modular front panel. To further protect the PSU, the Leadex III has over voltage, over current, over power, short circuit, under voltage, and over temperature protection – tested and certified to not faulter in over 2,000 on/off switches. It also includes an impressive 7-year warranty.

The Leadex III has a fully modular design, though only the essential cables are covered, while the peripheral cables are bare. Its single +12V rail can output 649.2 Watts, or 45.1 Amps. 

Finally, it must be mentioned that this PSU has two incredibly stylish ARGB displays: One that illuminates the fan and its translucent blades, and one that lightens the crystal connector panel design, adding light and color to the front I/O ports. These ARGB displays can be customized via almost any motherboard manufacturers’ RGB synchronization software, including ASUS’s Aura, MSI’s Mystic Light, Gigabyte’s RGB Fusion, and ASRock’s Polychrome.

The Super Flower Leadex III is also currently on sale, with its $159.99 MSRP discounted to $135.99. If you are looking to use a Radeon RX 6800 XT with your Ryzen 7 5800X, this model is also sold in a 750 W version for $144.49. Not cheap, but definitely worth it for its 80+ Gold efficiency rating, silent operation, and ARGB displays.

Best Low-Profile PSU for Ryzen 5 5600X

Small Form Factor (SFF) builds have grown tremendously in popularity, as of late, and for good reason. Having the full power of a desktop PC in a case, with such a small footprint, that can be easily transferred between rooms, offices, or living spaces, can be incredibly convenient. The Ryzen 5 5600X is perhaps the best CPU candidate for an SFF build, as it has a low TDP and excellent operating temperatures. The PSU to power this setup needs to have an SFX or SFX-L form factor, a high 80 PLUS rating, and an excellent cooling solution – due to the fact that heat can quickly become an issue in such confined spaces.

The SilverStone SX700-PT is optimally designed to handle these requirements. It has a 700-Watt power output, which may seem a bit much for this 65 W CPU, but it is best to have the power supply operating at around a 50% load, since that is where it’s most efficient. Additionally, the SX700-PT has a 80-Plus Platinum rating (ETA A, Lambda S++), which means that it is at least 89% to 92% efficient, so the heat emanating from this power supply will be minimal. Taking into account that the SX700-PT features a large-for-its-size 120 mm fan, which is usually found in ATX form-factor power supplies, means that it is almost certain that its temperatures will always be under control. The fan itself has hydro-dynamic bearings and PWM controls, making it virtually inaudible.

 Also, important to mention, is that the SX700-PT has all Japanese capacitors and a fully modular design. Its cables do not have sleeves, meant to provide better flexibility for the arrays, and therefore must be handled with care. This PSU also has an incredibly powerful +12V rail, outputting 58.4 Amps, or its full 700 Watts. With an MTBF of 100,000 hours, and all the same protection protocols mentioned for the Leadex III, the SX 700 PT is an efficient and reliable power supply; hence, why it is backed by SilverStone’s five-year warranty. 

If you are looking for a power supply for an SFF case featuring the Ryzen 5 5600X, few can compete with the SilverStone SX700-PT, which you can expect to find for $159.

Best PSU for Overclocking Ryzen 5 5600X

Overclocking to high frequencies does not only increase the system cooling demands, which are needed to maintain optimal temperatures that won’t damage the hardware or cause instability, but it also exponentially increases the demand in power. If you are planning to make full use of the potential of the Ryzen 5 5600X, and perhaps even of an accompanying Nvidia 3000 Series or RDNA 2 6000 Series GPU, then you will need your PSU to have high wattage output, high efficiency levels, and a powerful thermal solution.

ASUS’s ROG Thor seems to have been built with overclocking in mind, as not only does it have the aforementioned qualities, but it also has a unique OLED displays which shows you, in real time, the power that is being drawn from the hardware components. This way, as you overclock your CPU, GPU, or even RAM, you can see how much power is still available without the use of any monitoring software.

The ASUS ROG Thor is a 850 W PSU that has a 80 PLUS Platinum rating, and makes use of a 135 mm, PWM controlled, Wing-Blade fan design, that utilizes double ball bearings and IP5X-rated dust resistant materials, in order to keep its thermal in check. In fact, with the ROG Thor’s internal heatsinks, which allow for a 20% lower internal temperature, the fan won’t need to operate at high RPM in order to keep the power supply cool. Its Lambda A+ rating means that the noise emanating from the fan will never exceed 20 decibels, even when at high volumes. 

All the capacitors within this PSU are Japanese, and rated for 105 degrees C. It also has a very powerful single +12V rail that can output 71 Amps, or 852 Watts of power. The ROG Thor is also a fully modular power supply, and all included cables are sleeved. Its durability, and the integrity of its internal components are all backed by a 10-year warranty.

The design of the ASUS ROG Thor features an RGB-lit ROG logo, as well as an RGB-lit accent running across the side (between the logo and OLED screen). These displays can be synced via ASUS’s Aura Sync software.

Though definitely not a cheap purchase, the ASUS ROG Thor provides excellent value for gaming and overclocking enthusiasts. You can currently purchase this power supply for $229.99.

The post 4 Best Power Supplies for Ryzen 5 5600X Builds appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

The next batch of AMD Ryzen 5000 Series CPUs is finally upon us after the initial launch saw AMD’s available units sell out within minutes. And though this launch was disappointing to many, it did allow reviewers to thoroughly test these processors, and release benchmarks that can help us make a more educated assessment in regards to which CPU is best for each intended purpose.

A somewhat controversial topic, when it comes to comparing the recently announced Zen 3 processors, has been gaming. This controversy is related to the fact that all four Ryzen 5000 Series processors seem to perform similarly when it comes to framerate benchmarks, with only slight differences between each model. What makes this an impressive feat for the Ryzen 5600X, which is the least expensive of the Zen 3 lineup, is that it performs similarly to the Intel’s flagship i9-10900K, at almost half the cost. If one were to add the additional value that an AMD Radeon RX GPU would add to any Ryzen processor, with their mutual use of Smart Access Memory, then this benchmarked framerate becomes even more remarkable.

Despite knowing that predicting the distant future is practically impossible, what we can foresee is that game developers are much more likely to optimize their titles based on both AMD’s CPU and GPU capabilities and features, as both new-generation consoles – the Xbox Series X and Playstation 5 – utilize these AMD hardware components. Therefore, this lead that AMD processors and graphics cards hold over their Intel and Nvidia counterparts, may very well increase as time passes by; and, as developers continue to optimize their games to the potential of these processors, the hardware demands that these games will have will also see an equivalent increase. So, the current six cores and twelve threads that are currently necessary to run any game perfectly fine, may become outdated in just a few years’ time.

What differentiates AMD’s current Ryzen CPUs with their previous generation, Zen 2, processors, is Zen-3’s new CCX (Core Complex) architecture – which has doubled in size. Previously, each CCD (Core Chiplet Die) could hold up to four CCXs, and each CCX could contain four cores and 16 MB of L3 Cache. Now, a CCD only needs to hold two CCXs, as each can now contain eight cores and 32 MB of L3 Cache. Because these CCXs are not required to communicate with each other through AMD’s IF (Infinity Fabric) to gain access to all 32 MB of L3 cache, each core can reach much higher single-core speeds; which gaming applications are more dependent on. Hence why we see such a significant generational leap between the Ryzen 3000 and Ryzen 5000 Series CPUs, in terms of framerate output. Additionally, because games are not reliant on multi-core performance, a single CCX is more than enough for processing games, even at a high level. Out of the currently four announced Ryzen 5000 Series processors, two models have a single CCX: The Ryzen 5 5600X, and the Ryzen 7 5800X.

The price difference between these two CPUs is of the order of 50%, so choosing which processor to invest in can be a tough choice to make. To better assess whether or not the Ryzen 7 5800X’s specifications justify its cost – when compared to the Ryzen 5 5600X – we will analyze their features, power efficiency, benchmark performance, price and availability, and come to a conclusion on which Zen 3 CPU provides the best value for gaming, and other applications.

Ryzen 5600X vs 5800X – Specifications

	Ryzen 5 5600X	Ryzen 7 5800X
Design
Processing Node	TSMC 7 nm FinFET	TSMC 7 nm FinFET
Cores	6	8
Threads	12	16
Level 3 Cache	32 MB	32 MB
CCX Capacity	8 Cores 32 MB L3 Cache	8 Cores 32 MB L3 Cache
Base Clock Speed	3.7 GHz	3.8 GHz
Boost Clock Speed	4.6 GHz	4.7 GHz
Chipset	AM4	AM4
PCIe Version	4.0 x16	4.0 x16
TDP	65 W	105 W
Stock Cooler	Wraith Stealth	-Not Included-
Price	299	449
Launch Date	5th November, 2020	5th November, 2020
Availability	Amazon.com	Amazon.com

Specification Comparison

Both CPUs feature an identical interface: an AM4 chipset, PCIe 4.0 x16 compatibility, 3,200 MHz DDR4 dual channel system memory, and a TSMC 7 nm FinFET processing node. Of course, there is a clear advantage for the Ryzen 7 5800X in terms of specifications, in that it has two additional cores and four additional threads; though still sharing the same 32 MB L3 cache that the Ryzen 5 5600X’s cores can access. Other than that, the Ryzen 7 5800X’s cores also operate at a base, and boost, clock frequency that is 100 MHz faster than the equivalent Ryzen 5 5600X speeds – which is not a significant amount, but can still translate to a minor boost in performance. The main aspect in favor of the Ryzen 7 5800X’s specs, is that it has a full-capacity CCX, with a core and thread count that is equivalent to what can be found in both new-generation consoles.

Price & Availability

But when speaking of these new-generation consoles, it must be pointed out that the Ryzen 7 5800X, alone, costs almost as much as either one of them. This is also the argument in favor of the Ryzen 5 5600X. This CPU may cost 50% more than the previous generation Ryzen 5 3600X, but it still offers the best price for performance ratio (TechSpot) of all four initially launched Zen 3 processors. Not only that, but it is also the only Ryzen 5000 Series model that includes a stock cooler. Of course, the stock cooler isn’t the greatest, but for someone looking to build a new PC on a budget, and cares little about overclocking their CPU, the Wraith Stealth can provide sufficient cooling, and overall additional value to the CPU’s price. The previous generation Ryzen 7 3800X also did include a stock cooler, in the form of the Wraith Prism: A respectable cooler that perhaps could have been included in the price of the $50-more-expensive Ryzen 7 5800X.

In terms of availability, neither of these two CPUs can currently be found, as AMD’s initial stock disappeared almost instantly. An AMD executive now mentions that they shipped “tons of units”, but demand greatly exceeded their supply. Still, no matter how high the demand was, it should not take a few minutes to completely sell out of a new series of four different CPU model… but we digress. Currently, it does look like the Ryzen 5 5600X holds a much higher market share (UserBenchmark) than the Ryzen 7 5800X, and chances are it will be the more popular choice between the two. This also means that it is more likely to sell out at a faster pace, and therefore be more difficult to find in comparison to the Ryzen 7 5800X when they re-release.

Included Features

All Zen 3 CPUs are set to include AMD’s StoreMI technology, which pairs frequently used files on an HDD with an SSD cache, for quicker load times, boot times, and system responsiveness. It does so by mirroring these files to the SSD, and redirecting the operating system to use the mirrored files.

Additionally, AMD Ryzen Master Utility will be bundled, which is a software application that can be used for system monitoring and overclocking for both Ryzen CPUs and Radeon GPUs if available.

Finally, if you are planning to purchase one of AMD’s new RDNA 2 Radeon RX 6000 Series GPUs, then the Zen 3 Ryzen CPU will also utilize Smart Access Memory, which creates an expanded data channel, incorporating both CPU and GPU memory in order to remove the GPU memory ceiling via the utilization of PCIe bandwidth. Effectively, this feature increases the overall framerate output of the GPU by up to 11%, across multiple gaming titles.

Power Efficiency

Another aspect which makes the Ryzen 5 5600X, even more, cost-efficient than it already is, especially versus the Ryzen 7 5800X, is its incredibly low 65 W TD: which is 40 Watts less than the TDP of the Ryzen 7 5800X. This 38% power efficiency is especially remarkable, given the gap in actual performance between the two CPUs.

Benchmark Comparison

To get a complete picture of how the Ryzen 5 5600X fares against the Ryzen 7 5800X, we must not just compare their single core capabilities, but also their multi core performance as well.

TechSpot provides us with Cinebench R20 scores for both CPUs, and the Ryzen 7 5800X unsurprisingly outperforms the Ryzen 5 5600X, with a score of 5,982 to its 4,462. It also outperforms the equivalent 8 core 16 thread i7-10700K by 997 points. The single-core Cinebench R20 scores are a bit closer, as the Ryzen 5 5600X has a score of 600, versus the 625 score of the Ryzen 7 5800X. Minor discrepancies are also found in the gaming benchmarks, where, in the average of the 11 games that were tested, the Ryzen 7 5800X outperforms the Ryzen 5 5600X by only 6 FPS (211 FPS vs 205 FPS); while both outperform the Intel i7-10700K (200 FPS), and trail only slightly to the i9-10900K (213 FPS) by 2 and 8 FPS respectively.

Where the Ryzen 7 5800X falls significantly behind to the Ryzen 5 5600X, is its price to performance ratio. Even for multicore performance, the Ryzen 7 5800X trails by 10.7% in cost-per-frame, while for gaming performance it trails by 31.5%… But both CPUs fall behind the Ryzen 5 3600 in both categories as well. The main issue with reports that display a price to performance ratio, is the fact that the threshold of performance one seeks from a component is not taken into account. For example, if someone is shopping for a CPU that can be paired with a Radeon RX 6800 XT to consistently maintain a framerate above 120 FPS for 1080p gaming, then no matter how price efficient the Ryzen 5 3600 is, it will not suit their baseline needs.

This is also the aspect that needs to be considered for the Ryzen 5 5600X. Will it continue to process such high framerates, as the graphical capabilities of new-generation games progress? On the other hand, for the Ryzen 7 5800X, we must ask:  Is it worth its price, considering it only costs $100 less than the Ryzen 9 5900X?

Verdict

Both the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Ryzen 7 5800X do delivery an amazing level of performance for their price –but if pure value is what you seek, then nothing beats the Ryzen 5 5600X – especially when it comes solely to gaming. Not only does it perform on a high level, but it even achieves an average framerate that is within 3.75% of the what Intel’s flagship i9-10900K is capable of, while costing far less, and requiring almost half the amount of thermal power. 

If the intended purpose of your PC build is not just gaming, then the additional cores and threads of the other Ryzen 5000 Series CPUs will come into use for tasks like streaming and content creation. 

This is where the Ryzen 7 5800X should shine, but it is difficult to argue in its favor when the Ryzen 9 5900X is always an option. For $100 more, the Ryzen 9 5900X offers four additional cores, eight threads, and double the L3 cache. Given especially that the Ryzen 7 5800X does not include a CPU cooler, its value really suffers in comparison to the Ryzen 9 5900X. For streaming and gaming on the same PC, the Ryzen 9 5900X is surely the wiser choice, as is the case for running multicore dependent workstation applications, like video editing. 

The only argument that can be made against the Ryzen 5 5600X, is that it might not hold up very well in the near future, whereas the Ryzen 7 5800X may fare much better later down the line. Admittedly, this argument is fairly weak, considering that PC hardware is meant for immediate use, and should not be based upon a theory that may not even come true. For gaming and streaming, the Ryzen 9 5900X appears to provide more value for its cost than the Ryzen 7 5800X, and will surely continue to do so as time progresses. Perhaps the smartest choice would be to wait for the announcement of a Ryzen 7 5700X: A CPU that will cost less and potentially have a 65 W TDP like its Ryzen 3000 Series predecessor. Of course, it is difficult to tell if and when any such announcement may occur, so waiting might ultimately be futile. For now, and for the vast majority of users, the Ryzen 5 5600X is the way to go.

The post AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Ryzen 7 5800X: Which CPU is Best Value? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

Zen 3 is here, and it’s impressive. So impressive, in fact, that today we’ll be taking a look at potentially the only option builders looking for a pure gaming rig need to consider: the Ryzen 5 5600X.

The 5000 series might be priced a little more generously than Zen 2 was, but when you’ve developed a $300 CPU that beats the $500 i9-10900K, it’s definitely earned. So let’s not waste any more time and take a look at which GPUs pair best with AMD’s new six-core beast!

Best GPUs for Ryzen 5 5600X – Our Recommendations

Award	Design	Model	Suitable for
Best Entry-Level GPU for the Ryzen 5 5600X		Radeon RX 5600 XT	1080p 60hz+ gaming
Best Mid-Range GPU for the Ryzen 5 5600X		Radeon RX 6800	1080p 240hz, 1440p 144hz gaming
Best High-Performance GPU for the Ryzen 5 5600X		Radeon RX 6800 XT	High refresh 4K gaming
Best Enthusiast GPU for the Ryzen 5 5600X		Radeon RX 6900 XT	Very-high refresh 4K gaming

Best Entry-Level GPU for the Ryzen 5 5600X

Nvidia and AMD still haven’t given any info regarding their lower end GPUs for this generation, with the cheapest options coming in at $500 and $580, respectively. Entry-level systems usually target 1080p at 60Hz+, and with the launch of new hardware, the older models are pretty consistently cleared out. So, based on price and availability, the Radeon RX 5600XT is your best bet. For $300, with the potential for big savings thanks to the upcoming holiday sales, the 5600XT is one of the best ways to get the most out of your 1080p display until we have more budget friendly options for the entry-level gamer from this generation of GPUs.

Keep in mind, you won’t be able to take advantage of one of AMD’s strongest features with Smart Access Memory or SAM. SAM is exclusive to combinations of Zen 3 CPUs and RDNA 2 GPUs, and essentially gives your processor complete access to the VRAM on your graphics card for lower latency, and thus improved performance in games. However, the value of the 5600XT is still enough that you needn’t worry about upgrading the second the cheaper GPUs of this generation are announced.

Best Mid-Range GPU for the Ryzen 5 5600X

So begins our gauntlet of RDNA 2 GPU recommendations. Due to the aforementioned synergy between Zen 3 and RDNA 2 with AMD’s memory sharing feature (SAM), there’s truly little reason to choose a 3000 Series Ampere card from Nvidia unless you demand the best Ray Tracing performance. Thus, we’re going to outline why you should choose each of the new Radeon cards based on your budget and use case.

To start, we have the Radeon RX 6800. With an MSRP of $580, AMD matches the RTX 3070 in price and performance compared to last generations FPS king, the RTX 2080 Ti. The fact that both companies have cut the price of 2080 Ti level performance in half is cause for much celebration, and means that more people than ever have the opportunity to experience 240Hz 1080p and 144Hz 1440p in all their glory. We can grimace all day about the rising cost of “mid-range” performers but should at least appreciate the benefits of competition and understand the value of the performance our hardware provides us. It wasn’t too long ago that gamers were clamoring for reliable and affordable 1080p performance beyond 120Hz, and now some of the cheapest possible builds can dominate the entire gamut of popular benchmarking titles at max settings!

Best High-Performance GPU for the Ryzen 5 5600X

The $650 Radeon RX 6800XT is roughly the equivalent of AMD’s Zen 3 Ryzen 7 5800X. Sitting in the middle of their respective product stacks, each offers true next-generation performance upgrades over 10^th Gen Comet Lake, Nvidia Turing, RDNA, and Zen 2 for prices that may shock most builders who’ve held off on upgrading thus far. We mentioned that even the 6800 beats out the former gaming GPU champion, the 2080 Ti. Well, the 6800XT manages to impress even more for only an additional $70 (which translates to roughly $11 per 100 additional GPU cores over the 6800).

AMD’s experience in developing the Zen architecture must have lent itself incredibly well to their Radeon division, because the RDNA 2 GPUs are significantly better than last generation. Clock speeds up to 2.25GHz are surprising, and when utilizing features like SAM, the $700 RTX 3080 is much harder to justify for raw FPS performance despite having stronger Ray Tracing support. Regardless, the fact remains that the RX 6800XT is more than enough for most gamers to experience performance in games like they never have before, and for a price that won’t make you question whether PC gaming is even “worth it.”

Best Enthusiast GPU for the Ryzen 5 5600X

With their final RDNA 2 entry, AMD has finally crashed the top end of the GPU market again: the Radeon RX 6900XT. This GPU was AMD’s “mic drop” during the RDNA 2 reveal, and for good reason. The 6900XT is set to directly compete with Nvidia’s RTX 3090 for a $500 discount. Ray Tracing performance and VRAM aside, raw FPS in games up to 4K has smashed all expectations when paired with a Zen 3 CPU, with 120Hz+ performance in multiple titles with SAM enabled.

While still uncommon for the average gamer, AMD may be looking to change things by offering builders a much more reasonable entry point to high refresh 4K gaming compared to Nvidia. Especially considering that the 6900XT seems to be primarily focused on gaming, when the RTX 3090 is basically a workstation graphics card that also happens to crush gaming performance.

$1000 for a GPU is still asking quite a lot for most gamers, as relatively few are FPS snobs who demand every last frame in the games they play, and fewer still deem 4K worth gaming on. However, at this point we’ve been desensitized to the ultra-high price tags that have accompanied top-tier PC hardware over the last several years, and the 6900XT seems like a steal by comparison.

Summary

Even though we’ve finally arrived at the release windows for AMD’s next-gen PC hardware, we’re still in a weird spot overall. Intel’s Rocket Lake purportedly offers an impressive IPC upgrade over 10^th Gen Comet Lake and may very well reclaim the gaming crown from Zen 3. Nvidia and AMD have still yet to release their more palatable next-gen GPUs for budget gamers, and Team Green may even have a complete rework (or new products) in store for Ampere.

Although, in the face of all this uncertainty, one thing is clear: RDNA 2 and Zen 3 are a strong enough combo to alleviate most of the buyer’s remorse you may face should you choose to upgrade now. Due to the nature of electronics, buyer’s remorse is unavoidable, but AMD has at least made sure it won’t be so bad!

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AMD’s Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 Series CPUs have finally launched, allowing publishers to release a collective myriad of real-world benchmarks, devoid of any cherry-picking or misleading statements that marketing teams love to utilize in order to increase sales. Though these benchmarks do not show the universal dominance that many may have expected the new generation of Ryzen processors to display, these CPUs are still almost in a different league than their competition in almost every comparable aspect – including gaming applications.

The tangible accomplishments of this new generation of Ryzen processors can be attributed solely to the updated architecture of the Core Complexes (CCX) within the Core Chiplet Die (CCD), which effectively doubled in size: now able to hold 8 cores and 32 MB of L3 Cache. For Ryzen 5000 models that hold a total of eight, or less, cores, one CCX will now suffice, thanks to this Zen 3 architecture, whereas their Ryzen 3000 equivalents (above 4 cores) needed two CCXs. Communication between each core complex is carried out through, what AMD calls, the Infinity Fabric (IF). This additional medium inevitable adds a layer of latency that inhibits performance; especially for single-core dependent tasks like gaming applications or CAD.

Together with this upgraded architecture, we also have an increase in price of anywhere between 10% to 50% from Zen 2 to Zen 3, depending on the processor. Three out of four of these new Ryzen 5000 Series processors will also no longer come with a stock CPU cooler, which further drops their overall value when compared to their Ryzen 3000 Series predecessors. This drop in value is what makes us ask: Are these new generation Ryzen CPUs really worth their cost, or would a previous generation AMD CPU provide more value for its price?

A great example to make such a comparison is the new Ryzen 5 5600X, which has seen the highest price increase from its last-gen iteration: from an MSRP of $199, to an MSRP of $299. With these prices, this CPU’s monetary equivalent is now the Ryzen 7 3700X. Taking into account AMD’s stock shortage (which came to no one’s surprise), and knowing that it could be quite a while until someone can get their hands on a Ryzen 5 5600X, this comparison becomes all the more relevant – especially seeing as how scalpers are reveling in the act of profiting from the re-selling of these CPUs at a price that is multiple times their MSRP. If the nonsense that one must put up in order to purchase a Ryzen 5000 Series CPU – which is a result of their insufficient launch – is more than the benefit that they will provide, in comparison to other equivalently priced processors, then skipping them is also an option.

So, let’s compare the Ryzen 5 5600X with the Ryzen 7 3700X, in terms of specifications, price and availability, features, power efficiency, and benchmark performance, in order to proficiently assess whether or not the Ryzen 5 5600X is worth its price and hassle.

AMD 5 5600X vs AMD Ryzen 7 3700X: Specifications

	Ryzen 5 5600X	Ryzen 7 3700X
Design
Processing Node	TSMC 7 nm FinFET	TSMC 7 nm FinFET
Cores	6	8
Threads	12	16
Level 3 Cache	32 MB	32 MB
CCX Capacity	8 Cores 32 MB L3 Cache	4 Cores 16 MB L3 Cache
Base Clock Speed	3.7 GHz	3.6 GHz
Boost Clock Speed	4.6 GHz	4.4 GHz
Chipset	AM4	AM4
PCIe Version	4.0 x16	4.0 x16
TDP	65 W	65W
Stock Cooler	Wraith Stealth	Wraith Prism
Price	$299	$304.99
Launch Date	November 2020	July 2019
Availability	Amazon.com	Amazon.com

Specification Comparison

Comparing these two CPUs, in terms of specifications, is a simple task, as the main differences lie within the core/thread counts, the architecture, and the clock speeds. The Ryzen 7 3700X does have 33% more cores and threads than the Ryzen 5 5600X, but it lacks the architecture to use them to their full potential. Because its CCX can only hold half the cores, threads, and L3 cache storage, the Ryzen 7 3700X requires two CCXs that must communicate with each other through the IF; ultimately inhibiting their overall performance. The Ryzen 5 5600X has a faster base clock speed by 100 MHz, and a faster boost clock speed of 200 MHz – which is not that substantial a difference. Other than that, both CPUs make use of the same processing node, PCIe compatibility, and chipset – though the Ryzen 7 3700X is compatible with several types of motherboards, like the X470 or B450, that the Ryzen 5 5600X is still incompatible with.

Price & Availability

Given that the Ryzen 5 5600X is found at its MSRP, the price of these two processors are virtually equal, but finding any new Zen 3 processor is not an easy task. The first wave of stock depleted within minutes, and, though we are promised that a restock is coming soon, it is difficult to take these claims seriously, especially taking into account AMD’s past. Take for example, the entry-level Ryzen 3 3300X. This CPU was incredibly popular, as it was the first AMD CPU to launch with a single CCX layout, making full use of its 4 cores and 8 threads, without inter-CCX latency. With a price of only $120, this CPU sold out quickly, and, six months after its launch, it is still out of stock. On the other hand, the Ryzen 7 3700X can currently be found on several different retailers, including Amazon.

Another aspect that must be taken into account between the price of these two CPUs, is the stock cooler that is included with their purchase. Though it could be argued that both coolers should be replaced, the Wraith Prism does fare much better than the Wraith Stealth, in both performance and aesthetics (depending on whether or not one prefers RGB lighting). Benchmarks by TechSpot show a difference in temperatures, between these two coolers, that reach anywhere between 11 and 24 degrees Celsius… A substantial difference. The Wraith Prism can keep the Ryzen 7 3700X’s temperature at a respectable level (given the absence of overclocking) while the Wraith Stealth may allow the CPU to reach temperatures that can cause damage. Additionally, the Wraith Prism features both outer, and inner, ring RGB LEDs, while the Wraith Stealth has a plain, monochrome, design. 

Included Features

Where the Ryzen 5 5600X holds an advantage on any previous-generation Ryzen CPU, is this one exclusive feature that makes all the difference for a new PC build: Smart Access Memory. 

If you are one of many looking forward to purchase an RDNA 2, Navi 21, Radeon RX 6000 series GPU, then a Ryzen 5000 Series is a must. Smart Access Memory creates an expanded data channel that incorporates both CPU and GPU memory, effectively ridding the GPU of its intrinsic memory bottleneck, increasing its overall performance by a significant amount; including its effective framerate output.

Power Efficiency

Both Ryzen 5 5600X and Ryzen 7 3700X have incredibly low 65 W TDPs, so both have an impressive thermal performance. But to find out which CPU makes better use of these 65 Watts of power that they are supplied with, we must analyze and compare their real-world benchmarks – 

Benchmark Comparison

The Ryzen 5000 Series CPUs will have much faster single core performance than their predecessors, but to what degree?

Well, TechSpot has provided benchmarks for several workstation applications, as well as for 11 different gaming titles. In these tests, the Ryzen 7 3700X outperformed the Ryzen 5 5600X in multicore dependent workloads (4884 vs 4462 scores in multicore Cinebench R20), while trailing in single-core dependent workloads (510 vs 600 scores in single core Cinebench R20). Still, because of AMD’s more efficient CCX architecture, the Ryzen 5 3600X required far less power to reach its impressive benchmark results; using only 157 Watts (overclocked in Blender), versus the 182 Watts of the Ryzen 7 3700X: a 14% difference in system power consumption. Similar results were also published by Gamer’s Nexus, though their tests show the Ryzen 5 5600X needed 21.8% lesser power than the Ryzen 7 3700X – leading all other tested CPUs.

When it comes to gaming applications, the Ryzen 5 5600X achieved an average framerate of 205 FPS across 11 tested gaming titles; whereas the Ryzen 7 3700X had an average framerate of 172 FPS: A 33 FPS difference. These metrics are a result of testing games at a 1080p resolution, as the higher the resolution that games are processed at, the more GPU-dependent the resulting framerate becomes. At a 4K resolution, depending on the title, this framerate-lead that the Ryzen 5 5600X holds will ultimately be reduced to zero. But, if it is paired a Radeon RX 6000 Series GPU, the lead will reappear due to Smart Access Memory: a feature which the Ryzen 3000 Series CPUs will most likely not be compatible with.

In terms of a price to performance ratio, the Ryzen 5 5600X is tied to the Ryzen 7 3700X in multi-core performance at $0.067 per frame, and surpasses it in gaming applications at 1080p by $0.45 per frame ($1.46 vs $1.91). However, TechSpot bases these values on a $330 Ryzen 7 3700X, instead of its current $305 cost. If we take into account this price difference, the Ryzen 7 3700X leads the Ryzen 5 5600X in multi-core performance cost per frame ($0.062 vs $0.067) – while the 11-game average cost per frame difference is reduced to $0.31 per frame ($1.77 vs $1.46). 

Verdict

Despite its lack of two cores and four threads found in the Ryzen 7 3700X, the Ryzen 5 5600X still outperforms this CPU in single-core performance, gaming, and power efficiency. The issues it has lie mainly with its availability, and, to a certain extent, the overall value it provides for its price. 

The Ryzen 7 3700X may trail slightly in terms of cost per frame, but it does include a respectable cooling solution in the form of a Wraith Prism cooler, while the Wraith Stealth included with the Ryzen 5 5600X will surely need to be replaced (despite the CPUs low operating temperature and thermal efficiency). If this setback is considered in their price differential, then the Ryzen 7 3700X provides more for its price. Of course, if you plan on overclocking your CPU regularly, then this advantage is all but null, as the Wraith Prism would also have to be replaced.

Gaming at any resolution above 1080p means that the framerate differential will diminish to a point of negligibility. To this, there is one exception: The use of a Radeon RX 6000 Series GPU. If you plan on purchasing the Radeon RX 6800 or RX 6800 XT, then putting up with the Ryzen 5 5600X’s availability issues and price increase is absolutely necessary. On the other hand, if you don’t plan on replacing your GPU, or if,  by some miracle, you were able to purchase a Nvidia GeForce RTX 3000 Series GPU, then the Ryzen 7 3700X will suit you just fine – perhaps even better than the Ryzen 5 5600X – as the additional cores and threads may become necessary later down the line. As the, recently launched, current generation of games progresses, developers will want to make full use of the specifications of the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X – and both these consoles feature AMD Zen 2, 8-core 16-thread CPUs… Just like the Ryzen 7 3700X. Additionally, if you are in the market for a CPU to run workstation applications, or to use for streaming and gaming simultaneously, then the additional cores and threads of the Ryzen 7 3700X will prove beneficial. 

Despite its inferior single-core capabilities, the Ryzen 7 3700X is still a very powerful CPU, and, now that its price has dropped, it provides great value for most new PC builds. However, the Smart Access Memory feature, exclusive to the pairing of Ryzen 5000 Series CPUs and Radeon 6000 Series GPUs, is just too good to pass up. All in all, both CPUs are valid options, but the lack of availability and the price increase of the Ryzen 5 5600X have ultimately diminished its current value.

The post AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Ryzen 7 3700X: Which CPU is Best Value? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

We’ve had a few days with our Zen 3 Ryzen 5800X and the bulk of that time has been spent investigating the impact of RAM speed on this new architecture. Since its inception, the Zen design has shown impressive performance scaling with RAM Speed. This a function of the design of the CPU itself.

In short, the CPU cores are connected to the rest of the PC via an interconnect chip known as ‘infinity fabric’. The speed this chip is running at is instrumental to the overall performance of the CPU. Luckily, AMD has an open attitude towards allowing users to tweak settings to their heart’s content, so all of this is adjustable in BIOS. The optimum settings involve ensuring that the RAM speed matches the Infinity fabric frequency 1:1. With these two clock speeds in sync, memory access latency is reduced and you enjoy a performance boost.

Previous Zen 2 RAM Investigation Summary – will Zen 3 continue the trend?

In our previous Zen 2 Ram Speed article we demonstrated the clear performance benefits of increased RAM speed with optimum performance at 3600 and 3733Mhz, and infinity fabric at 1800 and 1866Mhz respectively (note that DDR ram being Double Data Rate, it reports speeds at twice the actual clock frequency). Once you exceeded the ability of the Infinity fabric to match RAM speeds 1:1 however things broke down with increased latency costing performance despite the improved speeds.

The benchmark tests that showed clearest scaling were 3DMark Timespy, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Rainbow 6 Siege’s FPS also showed strong correlation with RAM speed. 

RAM Speed Scaling on a Zen 2 CPU, the Ryzen 3600. 

In this investigation we focussed on the following questions: 

• Firstly, does Zen 3 improve our ability to lift Infinity Fabric speeds to match faster RAM?
• Secondly, does Zen 3 performance scale with RAM speed in the same way we’ve become accustomed to?
• Finally, can we use this information to make any recommendations about the best RAM for your Zen 3 system?

Overclocking RAM on Zen 3

Overclocking on the Zen 3 platform proved relatively straight forward. Using our Patriot Viper 4400Mhz memory kit, which comprises Samsung B-Die Ram with CL19 timings, we were quickly able to establish that our Ryzen 5800X was stable at 4000MHz with Infinity Fabric (Fclck) at 2000MHz. 4066MHz was not stable. We were able to tighten timings down to CL 16-16-16-34 at 4000MHz. From there we established representative RAM profiles across a spectrum of speeds to emulate widely available RAM kits. 

Zen 3 RAM Synthetic Test results: CineBench R20 and Timespy

Honing in on the benchmarks that matter we again showed that Cinebench is not a reliable indicator of performance linked to RAM: Our scores varied little with RAM speed. 

Note that the scale starts at 5000 Points: The difference between these results is small enough not to cause concern, and it’s not possible to consider this a ‘trend’ in performance owing to the marginally lower scores at higher speeds. Cinebench R20 appears almost oblivious to the RAM speed of the System with even 2133MHz not causing a significant performance deficit.

TImespy is a Dx12 based benchmark with a portion dedicated to CPU performance in isolation. It’s those scores we’re concentrating on here.

In Zen 2 we saw a strong positive trend with RAM speed from 2133MHz to 3733MHz, and we observe the same here on Zen 3: Slower RAM is a serious detriment to performance, with 3600MHz yielding much higher results. However, increasing speeds into the realms of 3800 and 4000MHz sees little if any improvement in performance with 4000MHz CL18 close but slightly behind 3600MHz and 3800MHz. Tightening timings to CL16 sees performance slacken to just under 12000 points: A very interesting results given what we thought we knew about infinity fabrics speed and its relationship to CPU performance. We don’t know the reason for this given that all things being equal these tighter timings should increase performance, or at the very least not harm it. 

Moving onto key gaming benchmarks, we looked at Rainbow 6 Siege and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Both of these titles demonstrated the benefits of faster RAM on Zen2 and again showed the negative impact once the 1:1 infinity fabric to memory clock ratio was broken.

Zen 3 RAM Gaming Benchmarks: RAM Speed vs FPS

1. Rainbow 6 Siege

Here we again see the same performance scaling to 3800MHz, followed by a slight tailing off as RAM speed climbs higher. Tightening timings at 4000MHz helps a little. Despite maintaining a 1:1 infinity fabric ratio throughout, we’re seeing a similar but less pronounced softening of performance past 3800Mhz just as we did on Zen 2.

2. Shadow of the Tomb Raider

This game again uses DX12 and has a comprehensive benchmarking tool which gives us interesting insight into the factors affecting the game’s performance. Specifically, it breaks down performance into ‘CPU game’ and ‘CPU render’ as well as GPU performance and indicates how GPU limited the benchmark is. All tests were conducted at 1080p medium on a GTX 1080 Ti but even that induced a GPU limitation due to the prodigious speed of the Ryzen 5800X. Due to the benchmark independently reporting CPU frame rates it can be eliminated as a factor.

We once again see a similar trend here with peak performance at 3800Mhz, and then a slackening at 3933Mhz and 4000MHz. From 3600-4000Mhz performance is in the same ballpark with variances that aren’t going to be material in the real world. Note that none of these will impact gaming at normal settings: You will be GPU limited at FPS below these numbers in this detailed AAA title. 

Conclusion: 3600MHz is still the best RAM for AMD’s Ryzen CPUs

We can now set about answering the questions we posed at the outset:

Zen 3 does allow us significantly higher Infinity Fabric clocks, and with it higher viable memory overclocks. This is exciting for overclockers because of the potential performance gains it brings.

However moving on to the second question, we do not see straight forward linear scaling until the break down of infinity Fabric Clocks as we did with Zen 2: In this instance, performance tails off even with a 1:1 infinity fabric ratio despite faster ram with tighter timings and lower latencies. In the real world, these slight variances won’t be noticeable, but similarly, we are not seeing anything like the scaling from 3600MHz-4000MHz as we get from raising Ram speeds from 3200MHz – 3600MHz.

Finally, we can now make confident recommendations on the basis of these results, which are in line with those obtained by experienced overclockers: 3600MHz RAM is still the best option for Ryzen CPUs. To arrive at this conclusion we can consider firstly that performance plateaus or even tails off after that. Secondly, there is the cost and availability of RAM. Since 3600MHz became the ‘sweet spot’ for Zen 2 Manufacturers have produced a number of fantastic RAM kits and prices have dropped due to a glut of RAM supply. To obtain RAM significantly faster than 3600MHZ prices jump from around $80/16GB for 3600MHz CL16, to $100 or more for 4000MHZ CL18 which as our investigation above shows will be marginally slower on Zen 3. Finally, investigations by Gamers Nexus indicate that dual-rank DIMMs may be slightly faster, making a 32GB kit in 2x16GB Configuration at 3600MHz likely to be ideal for most people.

With all of this in mind, we make the following recommendations for RAM for Zen 3 builds in 2021:

RAM Recommendations for Zen 3 Builds

Award	Design	Model
Best All-round RAM Kit for Zen 3 Builds		G.Skill Ripjaws V 32GB DDR4-3600 CL16
Best RAM for Zen 3 Gaming Builds		Crucial Ballistix 16GB DDR4-3600 CL16
Best Enthusiast RAM Kit for Ryzen Zen 3		G.Skill Ripjaws V 16GB DDR4-4000 CL16
Best RGB RAM for Ryzen Zen 3		G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600 CL18
Best 64 GB RAM Kit for Ryzen Zen 3		Corsair Vengeance LPX 2x32GB DDR4-3200 CL16

Best All-round RAM Kit for Zen 3

Combining all that we have learnt so far about Zen 3 Memory performance, the G.Skill Ripjaws V 32GB DDR4-3600 CL16 kit hits all the bases. Using 2 dual-rank 16Gb Sticks with 3600MHz frequency and tight 16-19-19-39 timings mean you’ll be as close to optimized as one click can get you just by enabling the A-XMP profile. 32GB RAM provides ample for productivity, the most demanding games and light creative work such as video editing. At $150 it’s reasonably priced for 32Gb, exactly double the cost of the 16Gb equivalent. This is the RAM kit we’re confident meets the needs of almost everyone looking to take advantage of the prodigious power of the Zen 3 CPUs for gaming and general use. 

Best RAM for Zen 3 Gaming Builds

Crucial is Microns commercial brand and the Ballistix 16GB DDR4-3600 CL16 kit uses Micron E-Die RAM chips to deliver the performance sweet spot at a very attractive price. 16GB is still ample for almost all games and general use and multitasking. It’s been available for some time at the $75 price point making it a very worthwhile purchase and the best value of all the popular 16GB kits. The 3600MHz speed enjoys widespread compatibility with Zen 3 CPUs, whilst the quality of the E-Die chips lend themselves to tweaking and overclocking for even more performance if the mood takes you. If not the embedded A-XMP profile will ensure reliability and stability at the rated speeds. It is a 2x8GB stick for dual channel operation and any RAM kit you consider should be a dual-stick kit because of the large performance benefit that brings. The kit ships with discreet black anodized heat spreaders that integrates well with most builds but it is also available in white or red if that better suits your preferences. With this kit just $10 more than the most basic of RAM kits from less well-established brands we see no reason to opt for anything else. 

Best Enthusiast RAM Kit for Ryzen Zen 3

If you want to explore the limits of memory overclocking on Zen 3 then there’s no substitute for the Samsung B-Die RAM that makes up this kit, the G.Skill Ripjaws V 16GB DDR4-4000 CL16 – our recommended RAM kit for enthusiast Zen 3 builds. It’s very fast RAM with tight timings at the speed, and whilst it may not work optimally with the A-XMP profile applied there’s huge scope for manually tweaking timings and exploring optimizations. B-die kits can range from $100 to $500 or more depending on binning but it’s certainly not worth getting a top tier binned kit unless you’re intent on challenging world OC records. If you want to find out for yourself exactly what makes Zen 3 run sweetest, this is the kit for you. 

Best RGB RAM for Ryzen Zen 3

We’ve got a soft spot for a set of four RAM sticks with synchronized RGB here at Premiumbuilds and the G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600 CL18 kit certainly scratches that itch. The core specifications are solid with 3600MHz and CAS latency of 18 so your CPU will operate with a near optimum 1800MHz infinity Fabric Clock. G.Skill offer a very useful reverse QVL list so it’s easy to ensure compatibility with your chosen motherboard. The RGB can be controlled via any of Gigabytes RGB Fusion, Asus Aura Sync, MSi Mystic Light or Asrock Polychrome software so it integrates well with the rest of your RGB and doesn’t require stand alone software. The RGB elements are beautifully detailed and this kit will lend some real visual flair to your build. 

Best 64 GB RAM Kit for Ryzen Zen 3

If your primary concern is the quantity of RAM – be it for a video edit workstation or scientific computation – then the Corsair Vengeance LPX 2x32GB DDR4-3200 CL16 kit is an excellent choice. Our benchmarks show minimal performance penalties at 3200MHz – RAM latency simply doesn’t impact tasks like rendering in the same way as it does gaming – but this is still 3200MHz RAM with CAS latency of 16 and performs well enough for AMD to showcase their new top tier GPU’s using RAM of this specification. Corsair are a long-standing brand and their LPX line is ubiquitous so obtaining matched RAM for future expansion won’t be a problem. Corsair also offer a 3600MHz LPX kit but supply is patchy and with a CAS latency of 18 the actual memory latency is nearly identical to this kit. If you need to pack as much RAM as possible then sacrificing a little speed for cost and capacity makes sense which is why this kit is a great buy. 

Benchmark Notes

The tests were conducted using the Premiumbuilds test bench, which comprises a Ryzen 5800X, MSI B550 Mortar Motherboard using AGESA 1.1.0.0 Patch C BIOS. RAM used was the Patriot Viper PVS416G440C9K 4400Mhz Samsung B-die Kit. PBO was activated but no manual CPU overclocking was undertaken. Timings under test were as follows

The post Zen 3 RAM Speeds: An Analysis of the Best RAM for Zen 3 appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

AMD’s Ryzen CPUs have come to redefine what we expect from a processor in terms of performance and value. Using higher core counts to achieve versatile CPU whilst pricing them competitively saw AMD build a strong market. They still excelled in-game though, with more than enough performance for all but the most demanding competitive players. This month AMD made a bold statement with their Zen 3 release. They’ve announced that they’re out-performing intel across the board but especially in gaming which was traditionally Intel’s strongest suit. The six core ‘Ryzen 5’ CPUs have always been the mainstay of this line of products and the 5600X looks like it will continue this trend offering top-drawer gaming performance and versatility too. In this article, we’ve built a PC that takes full advantage of this $299 high-performance processor. This PC will excel in high FPS gaming, but also has a powerful enough GPU to allow glorious AAA titles to shine at 1440p. However, the strength of the 5600X will be in its value, so the build is carefully balanced to keep performance high but costs under control. Every part represents the best value component for this class of build, so let’s dig in!

Best Ryzen 5 5600X Gaming Build – The Parts List

CPU: Ryzen 5 5600X

AMD claim to have made big strides with this generation of their Zen Architecture. The CPU core layout has been redesigned for better access to the cache memory on the CPU and reduced memory latency overall, as well as slightly higher clock speeds. The Ryzen 5 5600X is a 6 core 12 thread CPU with a boost clock of 4.7Ghz, 300Mhz higher than the outgoing Zen 2 parts. It still uses AMD’s ‘PBO’ technology that opportunistically raises boost levels to take advantage of thermal and power delivery headroom and maximise the potential of your chip. All of this adds up to a CPU that should exceed the capabilities of the current gaming value champion, the $279 Intel i5-10600K but at a much lower power draw. This CPU will excel in fast-paced shooters and more complex titles alike, whilst the six cores mean it’ll be perfectly capable in tasks like occasional video editing or photo processing. It supports the latest specifications such as PCIe 4.0 so you can adopt these technologies as they mature. The Ryzen 5600X is set to become the standard core of mid-range gaming systems owing to its touted performance advantage and lower platform costs over an equivalent Intel CPU.

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition

Whilst AMD includes a stock cooler with the Ryzen 5 5600X, it’s a noisy affair and not really suited to getting the most out of the CPU. We’ve opted to include a more appropriate aftermarket cooler for the 5600X, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition. This tower cooler uses a 120mm fan and four heat pipes to pull heat away from the 5600X with minimal noise. Lower temperatures equate to higher boost clocks and the ability to sustain them for longer, improving the performance of your CPU. With PBO on hand to take advantage of a better cooler, the $35 outlay is easily justified for both performance and quality of life via lower noise levels. 

Motherboard: Gigabyte B550M AORUS Pro

There is no motherboard revision for the Zen 3 CPUs and they will all work on B550 and X570 motherboards –although has the specification of the CPU is unreleased, if you buy prior to the CPU release you may have to flash the BIOS to gain compatibility. In terms of Value B550 is more than enough for almost all gamers. This chipset offers PCIe 4.0 support for the GPU and one NVMe SSD, along with a full suite of CPU and RAM overclocking facilities and multitudes of USB connectivity options. We’ve selected the Gigabyte AORUS B550M owing to its well-judged balance of features and pricing at just $130. It has a strong voltage delivery configuration with 10+3 phase design to ensure that the Ryzen 5600X is able to perform optimally and boost to those high clock speeds. There are two M.2 slots with the main slot offering PCie 4.0 compatibility direct to the CPU. The audio codec is a high-quality ALC 1200 chip, and gigabyte Ethernet is plenty for almost all home settings. There are 5 fan headers and a suite of 6 temperature sensors to allow you to monitor the thermal performance of your build and tweak adjustments if needed. Overall this motherboard is an excellent backbone to the system and keeps costs down with an attractive $130 price point.

RAM: Crucial Ballistix RGB 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory

Whilst we will have to wait for performance testing of RAM on Zen 3 CPUs, what we know about the design allows us to make informed decisions. The IO chip that acts as an interconnect between the CPU cores and the outside world remains unchanged, axnd it’s this that dictates the infinity fabric speeds and optimal RAM specification. Therefore it seems very likely that 3600Mhz RAM with tight CAS timings will be optimal, and given our testing it will certainly remain the price to performance sweet spot for this new processor with 3600MHz RAM being relatively affordable. We’ve chosen this Crucial Ballistix 2X8GB kit with RGB highlights for a little extra visual flair. It offers good timings and uses Micron E-die chips which are high quality and overclock well if you want to try your hand at optimising speeds and timings further. 16GB is plenty of RAM for almost every game, and there are 2 slots left free for a hassle-free upgrade should you need more RAM in future. 

Storage: Western Digital SN550 1Tb NVME SSD

2020 has been a great year for SSDs and we’ve seen storage prices drop making high capacity SSDs affordable for all. There’s also been competition for performance however the benefits for gaming and general-purpose PC’s really aren’t made out. There’s minimal difference in boot or loading times and only really specialist usage cases need to consider the higher performance SSDs for tasks such as high-resolution video editing or manipulation of large files. We’ve used the Western Digital SN550 in our test bench for over 3 months now and remain impressed with its performance. This SSD offers 2400MB/s sequential read and 1950MB/s write speeds and uses 3D TLC NAND for good endurance and sustained write speeds. It lacks DRAM but doesn’t let that put you off: WD uses an SRAM cache combined with their proprietary controller to ensure performance doesn’t suffer.  It ships with a 5-year warranty and at $105 represents excellent value for money. 

Graphics Card: Nvidia RTX 3070

We’ve gone out on a limb here because this is an unreleased GPU featuring in a build for an unreleased CPU – however, we’re confident that the October 29^th release of the RTX 3070 will be the best price to performance offering for a mid-range PC. Listing at around $499 the RTX 3070 has 8GB VRAM but Nvidia tout performance equalling the RTX 2080 Ti. We’ll have to wait and see exactly how that stands up to scrutiny but nevertheless, we can expect at least RTX 2080 Super class performance at a much-reduced price. This combines with Ray tracing and tensor cores to leverage AI technologies. Chief amongst these is DLSS 2.0, a super-sampling process whereby AI is used to upscale images using a library of super-high-resolution 16K renders from games. This allows for dramatically improved visuals and performance and is a game-changer in the way GPUs process in-game graphics. At $500 this GPU represents the current best in class 1440p solution, with ample power for the most demanding titles. Be warned: Demand is likely to be high and supply limited, so get in the queue early to secure yours!

PC Case: Cooler Master MasterBox MB311L ARGB

We’ve opted for a slightly more compact mATX form factor for this build and chosen the excellent value Cooler Master MB311L. This case comes with 2 pre-installed 120mm Fans with RGB lighting behind the mesh front panel. The PSU shroud hides the uglier bits of the build whilst a tempered glass side panel displays the rest of the components to best effect: Your RGB Ram and the motherboard heatsinks will look great. We’ve also opted to add another 120mm fan matched to the front to act as an exhaust. Meanwhile, there’s a pair of additional front panel USB ports and the usual flexibility of a drive cage in the ‘basement’ of the case. At $60 this case is a great way to keep costs lower without reducing performance, and also keeps the size of the PC manageable being mATX mid-tower format.

PSU: Antec Earthwatts Gold Pro 650 W 80+ Gold

The PSU market is still reeling from supply troubles in 2020, but this unit from Antec represents a great buy. With 650W output and Gold efficiency rating it’s more than up to the task of powering the efficient components in this build without overspending. It’s semi modular so you only need to use the cables essential to the build, keeping clutter to a minimum. We use this PSU in our test bench and can vouch for its capability and stability as well as quiet operation and good build quality.  It uses high quality Japanese capacitors and ships with a 7 year warranty for your peace of mind. This PSU is an excellent choice for a mid range gaming build and rounds out the components for the PC itself.

Recommended Monitor: Gigabyte G27QC 

A PC of this calibre demands a monitor capable of showing its capabilities to best effect. Gigabyte has recently released the excellent G27QC at a very attractive $280. This 1440p QHD monitor has a 165Hz refresh rate and uses Freesync premium adaptive sync to eliminate screen tearing and give a smooth consistent gaming experience. 165Hz allows lighting quick reactions in first-person shooters, whilst the monitor has fast response times and low input lag so it’s crisp and responsive. The VA panel gives vibrant colours and deep blacks. This monitor is specified to excel in almost all gaming situations and take maximum advantage of the high refresh rates that this Ryzen 5600X and RTX 3070 gaming PC is capable of. 

Conclusion

This PC uses carefully selected parts to allow the Ryzen 5600X to achieve its full potential. It will give exemplary performance across a broad range of titles for years to come. We hope you’ve found this build inspirational, and we know you’re as excited as we are about the new Zen 3 CPU’s and Ampere GPU’s on the horizon. 

The post $1400 Ryzen 5 5600X Gaming Build – The Best Value PC Build for 2021? appeared first on PremiumBuilds.

Based on the newly revealed Zen 3 lineup, mid-range builders have a lot to be excited about thanks to the upcoming Ryzen 5 5600X. If you saw the announcement, you might have noticed the slight price hike across the board for Zen 3 at roughly $50 more for each tier than Zen 2. However, fret not, dearest enthusiasts, because if AMD’s recent track record of transparency and accuracy regarding their internal testing since the original Zen launch is anything to go by, they’ve more than earned that premium.

The primary reason why anyone looking for a new mid-range build or CPU upgrade should be ecstatic is the 5600X’s 65W thermal design power (TDP), which will make it arguably the most compelling option on the market when it finally drops in November. That’s astounding considering the TDP for the both the 3600X and 3600XT is 95W (realistically 105W). Thus, AMD has not only managed to bring a generational performance uplift of roughly 20% with Zen 3 compared to Zen 2 but, in the battle of the Ryzen 5s, they’ve done so with even lower power consumption. Any veteran member of Team Blue should understand why such an achievement is worthy of a double-take because Intel has barely managed to keep their Core i9 series under 350W during peak load performance. If Zen 3 manages to have any overclocking headroom whatsoever, where, by and large, Zen 2 really didn’t, then there’s a good chance Intel may not be able to compete until at least next year when their 12^th Gen 10nm Alder Lake is supposed to release.

Two essential factors in Zen 3’s power efficiency are AMD’s chiplet design (whereas Nvidia and Intel still utilize massive, monolithic dies), and undoubtedly the changes made to their core complexes (CCXs) within each chiplet. Chiplets allow AMD to separate processor cores between multiple smaller dies, meaning designing and manufacturing each new architecture is significantly easier. Further, each chiplet now houses up to eight unified cores and 32MB of L3 cache. So for higher-end Ryzen processors with two chiplets, each core has simultaneous and direct access to a genuine total of 64MB of L3 cache. Couple this with the improved architecture of Zen 3 on a refined 7nm process, and you’ve achieved a 19% improvement in instructions per clock (IPC) with nearly identical TDPs in every performance bracket.It cannot be understated how impressive this is. Such outstanding efficiency means that upgrading to Zen 3 is as simple as installing your new processor, with no need for a new cooling solution, and new builders won’t have to break the bank on their motherboards, power supplies, and CPU coolers. Thus, all of the best and most popular picks for Zen 2 directly translate to Zen 3.

With that understanding, today we’ll reaffirm some of the best motherboards to choose for your next AMD build with the Ryzen 5 5600X!

Best Motherboards for Ryzen 5 5600X – Our Recommendations

Award	Motherboard	Design	VRM	Price
Best Entry-Level Motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600X	Asus TUF Gaming X570-Plus		50A 14 Phase (12+2)	$165
Best Overall Motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600X	MSI MEG X570 Unify		60A 15 Phase (12+2+1)	$300
Best High-Performance Motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600X	Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Hero (Wi-Fi)		60A 16 Phase (14+2)	$380
Best mATX Motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600X	Asus TUF Gaming B550M-Plus (Wi-Fi)		50A 10 Phase (8+2)	$180
Best mini-ITX Motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600X	Asus ROG STRIX X570-I Gaming		70A 10 Phase (8+2)	$250

Best Entry-Level Motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600X

The Asus TUF Gaming X570-Plus, and Asus’ TUF series, in general,continues to offer fantastic price-to-performance in terms of VRM performance and connectivity. Furthermore, Asus’s BIOS interface and proprietary motherboard software have long been favored by PC enthusiasts and overclockers thanks to their intuitiveness and responsiveness. Plus, Asus’s BIOS designs tend to be very aesthetically pleasing, including the BIOS for the TUF Gaming X570-Plus! The TUF Gaming X570-Plus is also the prime example of why the 5600X is such an incredible offering, with 20% more performance for 38% less power, any motherboards that performed well with Zen 2 Ryzen 5 CPUs will be even better.

The TUF Gaming X570-Plus offers 50A Power Stages, a 14 Phase VRM (12+2), support for up to 128GB of DDR4-4400MHz memory, 2x M.2 slots, Realtek 1G LAN + ALC S1200A Audio CODEC, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (1 is Type-C) + 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and 8x SATA III 6Gb/s ports for only $165. Considering B550 pricing, Asus retains the crown for entry-level motherboard best-suited to builders looking to get the most out of their new Ryzen 5 5600Xs. If you’re looking for a rock-solid motherboard without all the fluff from more premium flagship motherboards, the TUF Gaming X570-Plus is tough to beat .

Note, if you’re looking for an entry-level option with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, the Asus TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi) variant is only an additional $25!

Best Overall Motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600X

The MSI MEG X570 Unify was a magnificent response to troublesome VRM thermal performance issues with the MSI X570 boards priced under the MSI MEG X570 Ace. With the X570 Unify, MSI arguably has the best X570 motherboard on the market for overall build quality, performance, and features, which is why it’s still an outstanding choice.

The X570 Unify sports 60A Power Stages, a 15 Phase VRM (12+2+1), support for up to 128GB of DDR4-5000MHz memory, 3x M.2 slots, Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.0, Realtek 2.5G LAN + ALC1220 Audio CODEC, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (1 is Type-C) + 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 + 2x USB 2.0 ports, an internal USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C header, 4x SATA III 6Gb/s ports, an integrated I/O shield, rear Clear CMOS + BIOS Flashback buttons, onboard Power and Reset buttons, and a POST code readout, all of which are stylishly blacked out.

If you’re looking for the ultimate ATX motherboard to pair with your new 5600X at $300, there are almost no arguments to make against the X570 Unify.

Best High-Performance Motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600X

The Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Hero (Wi-Fi) clinches our top spot for the best high-performance motherboard thanks to its incredible price given its VRM and feature-set compared to the other available enthusiast X570 motherboards; the MSI MEG X570 Godlike and the Gigabyte X570 Aorus Xtreme. For just $380, the Crosshair VIII Hero (Wi-Fi) has equivalent power delivery and connectivity features to the $700 MSI and Gigabyte options, which is nearly 55% cheaper!

Featured on the Crosshair VIII Hero (Wi-Fi) are 60A Power Stages, a 16 Phase VRM (14+2), support for up to 128GB of DDR4-4800MHz memory, 2x M.2 slots, Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.0, Realtek 2.5G LAN, SupremeFX S1220 Audio CODEC, 8x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (1 is Type-C) + 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 8x SATA III 6Gb/s ports, an integrated I/O shield, Clear CMOS + BIOS Flashback buttons, a POST code readout, onboard Power + Reset buttons, as well as a BIOS Safe Boot + ReTry buttons!

Unless you have $700 burning a hole in your pocket, your best bet for the ultimate motherboard for the Ryzen 5 5600X is undoubtedly the Crosshair VIII Hero (Wi-Fi). Although, if even $380 is a bit too rich for your blood, you can also opt to save even more with the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Master. At $280, you’re getting an identical VRM to that of the Gigabyte X570 Aorus Xtreme, just without the additional PCIe 4.0 bandwidth for the chipset link on the B550 Aorus Master.

Best mATX Motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600X

Considering there is legitimately only one option for mATX x570 motherboards, the Asus TUF Gaming B550M-Plus (Wi-Fi) is the clear winner here at only $180. While MSI does offer their incredibly popular MAG B550M Mortar (Wi-Fi) for around the same price, the TUF Gaming B550M-Plus (Wi-Fi) provides a similar VRM layout, better memory overclocking support, and vastly superior connectivity for the rear I/O.

Asus shows the woefully neglected mATX form factor some love with 50A Power Stages, a 10 Phase VRM (8+2), support for up to 128GB DDR4-4600MHz memory, 2x M.2 slots (1x PCIe 4.0 x4), Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.1, Realtek 2.5G LAN + ALC S1200A Audio CODEC, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (1 is Type-C) + 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 + 2x USB 2.0 ports, 4x SATA III 6Gb/s ports, and BIOS Flashback.

For any builders looking to cut down the size of their next machine without having to worry about extensive hardware compatibility research and potentially frustrating cable management, the TUF Gaming B550M-Plus (Wi-Fi) is a reliable platform with plenty of fantastic features.

Best mini-ITX Motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600X

Despite some of the impressive mini-ITX B550 motherboards that are now available, our award for the best mini-ITX for Ryzen 5 5600X builds belongs to the Asus ROG STRIX X570-I Gaming, which comes in at $250. Again, the pricing for B550 motherboards compared to X570 isn’t cheap enough to recommend over many current X570 options. While you can go for the Gigabyte B550I Aorus Pro AX for $180, you lose out on rear USB connectivity on a form factor that already struggles to pack on as much as it can due to space constraints.

With the X570-I Gaming, you get 70A Power Stages, a 10 Phase VRM (8+2), support for up to 64GB of DDR4-4800MHz memory, 2x M.2 slots, Intel 1G LAN + AX200 Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.0, SupremeFX S1220A Audio CODEC, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (1 is Type-C) + 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and 4x SATA III 6Gb/s ports.

Perhaps if B550 pricing drops after its release window, we’ll change our tune, but until then, the X570-I Gaming is still the king of mini-ITX motherboards for mid to high-end Ryzen builds.

Summary

Zen 3 signals the beginning and the end of an era. The AM4 socket is on the home stretch as we await the next one (AM5?) and approach the release of technologies like DDR5 RAM, but will go out with a bang by housing the most enticing consumer desktop CPUs we’ve seen in years!

If you’re more interested in the B550 chipset, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best B550 motherboards!

Best Entry-Level: Asus TUF Gaming X570-Plus– The TUF Gaming X570-Plus continues to prove one of the best price-to-performance values for Ryzen builders with solid VRM thermal performance, connectivity features, and overall build quality – with the (Wi-Fi) variant available for an additional $25 if needed.

Best Overall: MSI MEG X570 Unify– The X570 Unify is arguably the most compelling motherboard for any mid to high-end Ryzen build thanks to its ultra-slick blacked-out aesthetic, impressive VRM, capable memory overclocking, and a plethora of connectivity features. MSI responded to the performance issues with many of their X570 motherboards in a big way with this one.

Best High-Performance: Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Hero (Wi-Fi) – At $380, Asus provides the absolute best enthusiast-class motherboard for high-end Ryzen builders that don’t have $700 to throw at options like the MSI MEG X570 Godlike or the Gigabyte X570 Aorus Xtreme. If you want to save even more money for best-in-class VRM thermal performance, check out the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Master, which offers an identical VRM to that of the X570 Aorus Xtreme for less than half the price, albeit with comparatively gimped connectivity.

Best mATX: Asus TUF Gaming B550M-Plus (Wi-Fi)– When there’s only one mATX X570 motherboard out there, Asus deserves credit for bringing phenomenal VRM performance and connectivity options to the under-appreciated form factor.

Best mini-ITX: Asus ROG STRIX X570-I Gaming – Although we’ve seen more decent mini-ITX options for Ryzen builds with many new B550 motherboards, they don’t provide enough competitive features or performance for how similar they are in price. However, if you’re still looking to shave off $70 from your build, consider the Gigabyte B550I Aorus Pro AX. Just be aware that you’re getting even worse rear I/O connectivity on a form factor that’s already somewhat limited.

Are you planning your next build or upgrade around the 5600X? What are your thoughts on Zen 3, and do you think Intel has a chance of competing with their upcoming 11^th Gen CPUs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below, and as always, thanks for reading!

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We’ve made it folks! AMD’s initial Zen 3 lineup has been revealed, and it’s a doozy. The long and short of it is: Zen 3 has the same or lower TDP than Zen 2, a new architecture, and the benefit of their new unified eight-core CCXs (core complexes) with shared 32MG L3 caches which all allow it to boost performance up to 19% over Zen 2. That’s not insignificant by any stretch of the imagination. Especially when considering that AMD may have just finally caught up to Intel in single-threaded performance. Which means Intel’s last vestige of superiority might have finally been destroyed until they’re able to finally strike back and get off of their ancient 14nm process!

Again, AMD’s achievement with Zen 3 should not be understated. While Intel has had to resort to every engineering trick in the book with their 14nm process to improve performance, AMD continues to refine and maximize their chiplet design and process architecture, all while keeping power efficiency and consumption identical to their previous generation! That’s a marvellous prospect for any would-be adopter of Zen 3, because it means that your entire system is just a CPU swap away from being entirely finished and ready to rumble until it’s time to build a completely new rig.

Thanks to AMD keeping it’s promise to support the same socket until Zen 3, as well as it’s ability to flatline their TDPs, members of Team Red can start looking to save money for the next generation of hardware like DDR5 memory and whatever new CPU socket AMD develops for Zen 4 right after they upgrade to a Zen 3 processor. This is incredibly important to understand, since the AM4 socket is now end-of-life outside of any refreshes AMD might provide for Zen 3. We’re on the cusp of a new type of RAM (which means a new pinout), and the eventual standardization of PCIe 4.0. So if you’re not terribly keen on building a completely new computer anytime soon, get the best one you can now with Zen 3, because things are going to change pretty drastically starting next year.

Today, we’re going to show you the best air and AIO coolers to pair with AMD’s latest Ryzen 5 5600X – ensuring that you’re extracting as much performance from this powerful CPU as possible.

Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 5 5600X – Our Recommendations

Award	Model	Design
Best Liquid Cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X	EVGA CLC 240 RGB
Best Air Cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X	Noctua NH-U12A
Best Entry-Level Cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X	Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition
Best Low-Profile Cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X	Noctua NH-L12S

Best Liquid Cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X

For those of you willing to opt for closed-loop AIO coolers for the Ryzen 5 5600X, we recommend the $120 EVGA CLC 240 RGB. EVGA is a renowned name in the GPU market, at least for US customers, but they’ve greatly expanded into other markets over the years, including CPU liquid coolers. The crucial elements of EVGA’s stellar reputation are their consistently high build quality, fantastic performance, extended warranties, and their exceptional customer service. All of these qualities extend to the CLC 240, making it one of the best-reviewed AIO coolers in direct competition with the mega-popular Corsair H100i Pro RGB ($140).

With its competitive $120 price point, the EVGA CLC 240 RGB sports a 240 x 12 x 27mm aluminum radiator, sleeved tubing, EVGA’s custom 120mm low-noise 2500RPM fans with Teflon bearings, and an RGB pump block. Now, you’re not going to want to run your fans anywhere near max RPM, because, despite the fact they’re “low-noise,” they can get exceptionally loud above ~2000RPM. However, at around 1250RPM (which measures about 40dBA), you can expect phenomenal thermal and noise performance on par with, or better than, the majority of other available 240mm AIOs. If you’re looking to liquid-cool your new 5600X, it’ll be challenging to find a better price-to-performance value than EVGA’s CLC 240 RGB.

Best Air Cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X

For most enthusiasts, the name Noctua means one thing: quality. Noctua has built itself a nearly unrivaled reputation compared to any other PC component manufacturer by consistently offering the best CPU air coolers and fans for many years. Whatever your opinion of Noctua’s, uhh, striking brown color scheme, you cannot deny the level of overall build quality, performance, and extraordinary design that they’ve offered the DIY PC market for such a long time. Better yet, they’ve recently been giving many of their products long-awaited black iterations with their Chromax series, except our pick for the best air cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X builds: The Noctua NH-U12A… At least so far.

It’s almost ironic that the sort of innovation and competition the U12A brings to the premium tower air cooler market comes from Noctua. It must truly take the best to rival the best because this 120mm single-tower cooler directly competes, within a few degrees, with not only the significantly larger Noctua NH-D15 140mm dual-tower cooler but even many 240mm AIO liquid coolers (with normalized noise levels). Of course, larger air and liquid coolers can brute force their way to better thermal results, but it comes at the cost of potentially unbearable fan noise.

The critical factors lending to the performance of the U12A are the included NF-A12x25 fans with Sterrox blades, and the seven heat pipes Noctua managed to cram through the cold plate and fin stack. Sterrox is a unique material developed by Noctua, which allows for the distinct curve of the fan blades, as well as their remarkable 0.5mm clearance from the frame. Thus, the NF-A12x25s can achieve higher RPMs at equivalent noise levels to other fans while moving more air over a larger surface area compared to similarly-sized heat sinks, giving the NH-U12A the ability to punch well above its weight class. If you’ve avoided more premium CPU tower coolers due to concerns with size and compatibility, the NH-U12A is an extremely compelling choice for your new Ryzen 5 5600X build.

Best Entry-Level Cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X

The Cooler Master Hyper 212 BlackEdition is an all-gunmetal black rendition of the legendary Hyper 212 EVO. Say what you will about some of their cases, Cooler Master has been the undeniable king of entry-level CPU coolers for ages since they released the Hyper 212 EVO. Now they’re offering the same incredible value in a much more visually pleasing package that competes with even the ultra-sleek looks of be quiet!’s Dark Rock line – a perfect match for the Ryzen 5 5600X.

More specifically, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 BlackEdition’s thermal and noise performance are identical to that of the be quiet! BK024 Dark Rock Slim, while costing nearly half as much! The Hyper 212 Black is currently $36 (regularly priced at $40), where the Dark Rock Slim comes in at a whopping $65. That’s a rough price differential to try and justify when be quiet! can’t even claim better aesthetics in comparison anymore, especially when you consider the possibility of taking those savings and putting them towards an additional Cooler Master Silencio FP 120mm fan for even better CPU thermals.

With such a tried and true design getting such an excellent face-lift, it’s rough to try and justify any entry-level cooler over the Hyper 212 Black. If it fits in your case, and you’re only looking for a slight upgrade over a stock Wraith cooler, you cannot go wrong with the Hyper 212 Black Edition.

Best Low-Profile Cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X

For builders keen on downsizing their next rig to a Ryzen 5 5600X small form factor (SFF) PC, we suggest the Noctua NH-L12S. Four heat pipes and Noctua’s NF-A12x15 slim 120mm fan translate to some of the best CPU cooling performance for extra-small PC builds on the market. One of the only ways to achieve superior air cooling with the same footprint as the NH-L12S is by slapping a Noctua NF-A12x25 on the Scythe Big Shuriken 3. However, the Scythe/Noctua combo only nets you a few extra degrees and brings your total cost up to about $77, where the L12S is only $50. When it comes to the ultimate in SFF air cooling out of the box for a 5600X, you cannot beat the NH-L12S.

Speaking of the NH-L12S, we have an exciting twist to announce; Noctua has just launched a new version! This latest iteration has been custom-tailored for the LOUQE Ghost S1, which is terrific news for anyone who’s been eyeing (or already owns) the coveted enclosure but hasn’t wanted to risk bending the standard NH-L12S to get it to fit correctly. For the luxury of a guaranteed, hassle-free fit for the Ghost S1, the NH-L12 Ghost S1 Edition will only run you an additional $5, and you can also opt to replace the included NF-B9 fan with an NF-A9 for even better cooling. Whatever tiny SFF cases you want to build in, the NH-L12 is a powerhouse pick for even the most top-tier CPUs on the market.

Summary

With the reveal of AMD’s initial Zen 3 lineup, this might just be as good as it gets for PC builders until new memory and sockets are revealed. There couldn’t be a better time to start preparing for your next upgrade or build, because everything is going to change starting at the end of next year. We have some incredible memory, display, and storage technology on the horizon, especially with the advent of PCIe 4.0, but that isn’t to say what we’ve access to now is anything short of exceptional. AMD truly is changing the market for the better, and we can only hope that their meteoric rise with the Zen architecture continues and puts companies like Intel’s and Nvidia’s feet to the fire. Competition is a beautiful thing, and AMD could be the match that lights the fire for a golden age of consumer electronics!

Best Liquid Cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X: EVGA CLC 240 RGB – EVGA extends its premium touch to the mid-range all-in-one liquid cooler market. With a five year warranty, competitive price, and outstanding performance, the CLC 240 is arguably the premier closed-loop CPU cooling solution on the market.

Best Air Cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X: Noctua NH-U12A – Noctua: A name that signifies rock-solid performance, simple but elegant design, and pure reliability for the vast majority of DIY PC enthusiasts. Never has this notion been proven more true than with the recent NH-U12A. Thanks to its seven heat pipes and the specially designed NF-A12x25 Sterrox fan blades (a material developed by Noctua), Noctua has brought serious competition to even their massive 140mm dual-tower, the NH-D15, with a 120mm model. If you’re looking for the ultimate thermal and noise performance in a reasonably sized air cooler, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything better.

Best Entry-Level Cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X: Cooler Master Hyper 212 BlackEdition – Cooler Master’s entry-level goliath, the Hyper 212 EVO, now has the option for a coat of gunmetal black paint! When it comes to affordable CPU air cooling, the Hyper 212 series is second only to Noctua in terms of reputation, popularity, performance, and reliability. The Hyper 212 Black Edition brings the tried and true performance of the 212 EVO with a level of sleek visual design that’s on par with even a company like be quiet! Additionally, if you’re looking for even better thermal performance with the 212 BE for a 5600X, consider snagging an additional Cooler Master Silencio FP 120mm fan for a push/pull configuration!

Best Low-Profile Cooler for Ryzen 5 5600X: Noctua NH-L12S – If you want the best out of the box performance for SFF cases that can’t fit anything taller than 70mm, this is your best option. While you can achieve better CPU thermals by securing a Noctua NF-A12x25 fan on the Scythe Big Shuriken 3, doing so costs significantly more money while also completely wasting the stock Scythe fan. Additionally, Noctua has just released a new NH-L12 designed explicitly for the extremely popular LOUQE Ghost S1, so builders no longer have to bend the heat pipes on the original L12S.

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AMD has officially unveiled its Ryzen 5000 processors in an online event that really went hard in highlighting the gaming capabilities of these new processors, with CEO Lisa Su stating that “gaming begins with AMD”.

AMD has officially launched the new Ryzen 5000 CPU (Zen 3) series, code-named Vermeer. Already providing undisputable multi-threaded performance for every price point, their focus for this generation has been improving the architecture for gaming and low latency tasks. They’ve gone all-in by optimizing on-die components and the manufacturing process in order to claim a whopping 19% IPC performance over the previous Zen 2 (Matisse) processors. The Instructions per Clock (IPC) are very important to a CPU thanks to how relative single-core performance is calculated by multiplying IPC x Clock Speed. IPC doesn’t come with additional power consumption or thermal requirements and its arguably always better to improve IPC instead of just raising Clock Speed.

AMD took a great route with their new lineup by both improving Clock Speeds and significantly improving IPC, resulting in an overall gaming performance improvement of around 26% over their previous best gaming CPU, the Ryzen 9 3900XT. This is huge news in the tech horizon since this is the first time in many generations when AMD is performing better than its Intel counterpart in gaming performance; they’re also doing it at 2.8x better efficiency than Intel.

The direct successor to the Ryzen 5 3600X is the new Ryzen 5 5600X (that’s right, they skipped the 4000 series for desktop) and today we will be comparing these two to see if the new part is a significant enough improvement over the last one. We will be looking at performance uplift, specs, efficiency, and pricing.

Ryzen 5 5600X vs Ryzen 5 3600X: Specification Comparison

The Ryzen 5 5600X is very similar in specs to the outgoing 3600X model and thus, its targeted to the same mainstream market but the performance obtained from architectural improvements puts the 5600X well ahead of the 3600X. We can also observe a 30 W deduction in TDP suggesting a big uplift in efficiency even if clock speeds are almost 10% higher. The fastest approved memory speed is 3,200 MHz although you can tweak it to much faster speeds due to the improved IMC (integrated memory controller). We have no official data yet but the previous Ryzen 5 3600X has been seen running with 4400MHz+ memory speeds and we have no reason not to believe the new one is even better for memory tweaking.

PCIe Gen 4.0 is available with the new Ryzen 5 5600X and compatible X570 and B550 motherboards, allowing you to get significant storage and secondary device performance uplift from this improved interface. The only downside with the 5600X is the absence of the integrated graphics device but the majority of people who buy such a powerful processor will also pair it with a dedicated graphics card. The included CPU cooler is good enough to keep the processor running stock and will probably allow for a bit of overclocking, exactly like the previous generations’ included stock coolers. For pushing the clock speeds to the limits, consumers will likely need to purchase a better aftermarket cooler. The Ryzen 5 5600X is the only released Vermeer CPU to include a stock cooler but this may be subject to change if AMD will be launching additional products at different price tiers.

Ryzen 5 3600X vs Intel Core i5-10600K

When compared to its mainstream competitor, the Ryzen 5 5600X looks to be demolishing its $299 counterpart, the Intel Core i5 10600K; and AMD has the benchmarks to prove it. They are touting a 19% single core advantage and 20% multi core advantage over the 10600K resulting in a 13% 1080p gaming performance advantage. To explain, 1080p gaming performance is a good metric to measure overall gaming performance because it puts the most strain on the CPU; this makes AMD very confident in their product and rightfully so. Another big selling point of the new Ryzen micro architecture is the improved efficiency which AMD says is on average 2.8 times more power efficient, especially at the top end; this means quieter and cooler utilization with less money spent on cooling solutions or power bills.

So should you buy the new Ryzen 5 5600X?

Thanks to how the new generation is compatible with previous motherboard chipsets, if you are on an older Ryzen build, you can easily upgrade to this CPU with just a BIOS update provided by your motherboard vendor. The performance uplift between generations is very tempting, especially in gaming where the cheapest Ryzen CPU, the 5600X, outperforms even their most expensive mainstream market CPU from the previous generation, the 16 Core Ryzen 9 3950X. Is it a good buy? We think so. The launch price is also not completely indicative of retail price and you may soon find great deals and offers for this part. We will also be using it in lots of our upcoming gaming builds!

The jury is still out on just how AMD’s Ryzen 5000 series chips will perform in the real world because we just know the numbers AMD showed us during the launch presentation. We can formulate an even more informed opinion on this Ryzen 5600X CPU once the reviewers are getting their hands on samples. AMD is also not known to mislead or lie in their presentations but expect November 5 to come with decisive information on the performance matters.

The performance does look promising and even with the $50 price premium over the previous Ryzen 5 model, AMD has made plenty of alterations that should boost performance significantly and warrant the slight price increase.

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