Buying Guide
The Best AM4 CPU
Four processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Ryzen 7 5800X3D has the largest L3 cache; the Ryzen 5 5500 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
An AM4 CPU upgrade keeps your motherboard and DDR4 memory. Every pick is an AM4 chip.
Rankings weigh L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads as the makers state them; any figure a maker omits is noted as missing rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
The largest L3 cache here (96MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
The highest boost clock here (4.6GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Radeon integrated graphics.
Best for: Buyers who want Radeon integrated graphics.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600G (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 7 5700X.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest L3 cache here (96MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (4.6GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab) |
| Radeon integrated graphics. | Buyers who want Radeon integrated graphics. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5600G (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 7 5700X. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Game Cache1 of 4
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the last X3D chip for AM4.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Pass on it if aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs comin rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It lets an existing AM4 board take a cache upgrade without a new platform or DDR5. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 96MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700X (32MB). On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.5GHz: the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 4.6GHz, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 4.2GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 7 5700X on core count (8 cores). Its 105W rated power is the highest in this group; the Ryzen 7 5700X leads at 65W. It also comes with a drop-in upgrade for many existing AM4 boards after a BIOS update.
It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Ryzen 5 5600G and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 96MB
- Max boost: 4.5GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 105W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform
- Drop-in upgrade for many existing AM4 boards after a BIOS update
- Boost clock of 4.5GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600G
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Highest Boost Clock2 of 4
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5700X gives AM4 builds eight cores at a 65W rating.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Why we like it
It suits players who also stream or edit on a DDR4 platform. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 32MB: the Ryzen 7 5800X3D offers 96MB, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 16MB. On boost clock it leads this guide at 4.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (4.5GHz).
It matches the Ryzen 7 5800X3D on core count (8 cores). It matches the Ryzen 5 5600G and the Ryzen 5 5500 on rated power (65W). It also offers PCIe 4.0 support.
It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 5500 and the pricier Ryzen 5 5600G, at the time of writing. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5600G. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 5600G has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Eight cores on the DDR4 AM4 platform
- PCIe 4.0 support
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5600G
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Also Consider3 of 4
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5600G pairs six Zen 3 cores with Radeon integrated graphics and a boxed cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want Radeon integrated graphics.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It runs lighter games without a graphics card on cheap AM4 boards and DDR4 memory, and a card can be added later. It matches the Ryzen 5 5500 on L3 cache (16MB). Its 4.4GHz boost clock ranks third of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 7 5700X (4.6GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 6 cores. It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. Another plus is 65W rating suits a modest air cooler.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Radeon integrated graphics
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 4
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500 is the cheapest six-core chip here.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside game rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It has a smaller 16MB L3 cache and runs PCIe 3.0, which matters little for a budget graphics card. It matches the Ryzen 5 5600G on L3 cache (16MB). Its 4.2GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 7 5700X leads at 4.6GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5600G at 6 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 7 5700X and the Ryzen 5 5600G at 65W. It also comes with a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the Ryzen 7 5700X the next step up. It gives ground on L3 cache, where the Ryzen 7 5800X3D offers 96MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 4.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- One of the cheapest six-core desktop chips
- The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 7 5700X
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Power and cooling
- We recorded each chip's rated power and what cooler class it needs.
- Platform cost
- We noted socket, memory type and whether a cooler is included, since they change the real price.
- Upgrade path
- We considered how long each socket is likely to receive new CPUs.
- Game-relevant specs
- We compared L3 cache, boost clocks and core counts from AMD's and Intel's product pages.
What to Look for in an AM4 CPU
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Where these picks differ: L3 cache
Among these picks, L3 cache runs from 16MB on the Ryzen 5 5500 to 96MB on the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. Match this to what you will actually do with it, then let price decide between the picks that qualify.
Cache helps games more than clocks
AMD's X3D chips add a large stacked L3 cache that keeps more game data close to the cores. In CPU-limited games that often helps more than a higher boost clock.
The gain shrinks when the graphics card is the limit.
Budget for the cooler
Most unlocked chips ship without a cooler. A 65W part runs well on a basic single tower, while 120W to 170W parts need a dual tower or an AIO to hold their boost clocks.
Add the cooler to the CPU price when comparing.
Check BIOS support before buying
Newer CPUs on older boards may need a BIOS update before the system will start. Check the board's CPU support list for the version you need and whether the board can flash without a CPU installed.
Cores matter for streaming and creation
Six and eight cores cover gaming. Streaming with CPU encoding, video editing and compiling benefit from twelve or sixteen.
If you encode on the graphics card instead, core count matters less.
How to Choose an AM4 CPU
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Ryzen 7 5800X3D | The largest L3 cache here (96MB) |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 7 5700X | The highest boost clock here (4.6GHz) |
| Buyers who want Radeon integrated graphics | Ryzen 5 5600G | Radeon integrated graphics |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Ryzen 5 5500 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 7 5700X |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 96MB | 4.5GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
| Ryzen 7 5700X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5600G | 16MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 16MB | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 7 5700X, Ryzen 5 5600G |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 5800X3D |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pick leads on boost clock?
The Ryzen 7 5700X, at 4.6GHz. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D follows at 4.5GHz, while the Ryzen 5 5500 has 4.2GHz.
Which pick costs the least here?
That was the Ryzen 5 5500 at our last check; if you can stretch, the Ryzen 7 5700X is the next step up and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D the priciest.
Should I choose Intel or AMD for gaming?
At the high end, AMD's X3D chips lead in many CPU-limited games. Intel's Core Ultra chips offer more cores for work at similar prices. Choose by workload and platform cost.
What does the rated power figure mean?
It is AMD's default TDP or Intel's base power. Chips can draw more under boost, so size the cooler for sustained loads, not the label alone.
Do I need to buy a separate cooler?
Usually yes. Only some chips, such as the Ryzen 5 7600 and 5600X, include a basic cooler; unlocked high-end models do not.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. Look at the Ryzen 7 5700X for the highest boost clock here (4.6GHz), the Ryzen 5 5600G for Radeon integrated graphics and the Ryzen 5 5500 for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 7 5700X if those matter more to you.
Older AM4 boards may need a BIOS update for Ryzen 5000 chips.