When it comes to gaming, we here at Overclockers UK know that you only want the best from your desktop. More to the point, you only want the best for your gaming PC. For those of you looking to upgrade your central processing unit to match the capabilities of your AM4 socket motherboard, this is the list for you. Extensive research has gone into curating this top five list of AMD CPUs and pairing them with the perfect game. Strap in, give it a read, and let us know in the comments below which game you’d pair with our choices!
5. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
| Cores/Threads | 8/16 |
| PCIe Gen | 4.0 |
| Socket | AM4 |
| Base Clock | 3.80GHz |
| Unlocked? | Yes! |
| Game | Valheim |
It’s time to pick up your axe and survive the wilds of Valheim. With the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X CPU equipped in your gaming station, you can enjoy support for PCIe 4.0, a tiered memory cache, and workloads being spread across 8 cores and 16 threads. Thanks to this AMD CPU, you will be more than equipped to deal with the chaos besieging purgatory.
The recommended specs for Valheim suggest you use a Ryzen 5 at 3GHz, which this AMD CPU does and then some. To start with, its base clock is 3.8GHz and that can be further boosted up to 4.7GHz. Yes, this core processor is unlocked and ready to overclock. Whilst you might not need to get the competitive edge over other players in this co-op game, having that extra speed could be your secret weapon when it comes to surviving.
As with most of the AMD CPUs on this list, this model comes from the 5000 Series, which sports all the latest innovations from the tech giant. Featuring Zen 3 architecture, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is armed with higher efficiency and lower latency across all cores. It’s because of the end-to-end redesign and enhancements AMD has made on this generation that you have such amazing performance capabilities. Now, if only they could use that engineering know-how to help you design a shelter…
4. AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
| Cores/Threads | 16/32 |
| PCIe Gen | 4.0 |
| Socket | AM4 |
| Base Clock | 3.40GHz |
| Unlocked? | Yes! |
| Game | Cyberpunk 2077 |
Next on our list, is the absolute beast that is the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X CPU with Cyberpunk 2077. While the first-person shooter might be infamous for its buggy start, this AMD CPU is armed to the teeth with 16 cores, 32 threads, and a base clock of 3.4GHz. This processor is more than ready to handle anything Cyberpunk 2077 throws its way.
Even when the settings are absolutely maxed out, the specs for Cyberpunk 2077 recommend a Ryzen 5, minimum. Therefore, you can explore this futuristic world in confidence with a Ryzen 9 nestled into the AM4 socket of your motherboard. Certainly since Cyberpunk has received a few patches, now, too!
To enhance efficiency, the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X has a tiered cache that holds over 64MB of memory. The tiered system allows for easier and quicker fetch rates as there are clearer paths to your frequently used information. Just another beautiful perk of the Zen 3 architecture. You’ll be enjoying eternal life in no time!
3. AMD Ryzen 5 5500
| Cores/Threads | 6/12 |
| PCIe Gen | 4.0 |
| Socket | AM4 |
| Base Clock | 4.20GHz |
| Unlocked? | Yes! |
| Game | Stardew Valley |
We might be stepping back a couple generations here, but if it ain’t broke don’t fix it! The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU still packs plenty of performance power into its 6 cores and 12 threads. Whilst it might not run some of the more high octane gaming as smoothly, it is perfect for the more chill games out there.
Now it might be you are just dipping your toe into the PC gaming world, and gateway games like Stardew Valley and Among Us are more your speed currently. Just not your current processor’s. This is where the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 comes in. Aa a truly excellent, mid-range CPU, it comes with a much smaller price tag than some of the AMD CPUs on this list. Therefore, much less intimidating for the toe dippers. Plus, it is unlocked and available to overclock when the need for speed takes hold. Although, I am not sure how overclocking will help with growing crops!
You might be able to sus out the imposter quicker, though!
Just to sing the praises of this AMD CPU a little more, the base clock is 3.6GHz and also sports a tiered cache system. Even with the previous Zen 2 architecture, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 delivers solid performance and even supports PCIe 4.0! Not bad for golden oldie, right?
2. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
| Cores/Threads | 6/12 |
| PCIe Gen | 4.0 |
| Socket | AM4 |
| Base Clock | 3.70GHz |
| Unlocked? | Yes! |
| Game | Diablo II: Resurrected |
An absolute gem got remastered and will be released this year: Diablo II. “Resurrected”, you now have the chance to relive those demon-fighting days or experience it for the first time with glorious updated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU is the perfect chip to equip and tackle the realms of Hell.
As with the other AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPUs on this list, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X features a lot of the same benefits. Multi-cores and threads for evenly spread workloads, Zen 3 architecture for the smoothest operations, and unlocked frequencies which can be boosted up to 4.6GHz. What makes this particular chip ideal for taking on the Lord of Terror and saving Sanctuary is its base frequency. The recommended specs suggest at least a base clock of 3.6GHz while this AMD CPU operates at 3.7GHz as standard. This makes it more than able to process this remastered game, so you can enjoy this updated classic properly.
For full details on everything you need to play Diablo II: Resurrected, do check out this post from Briony!
1. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
| Cores/Threads | 12/24 |
| PCIe Gen | 4.0 |
| Socket | AM4 |
| Base Clock | 3.70GHz |
| Unlocked? | Yes! |
| Game | Resident Evil Village |
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X CPU is the best chip for gaming and streaming available right now. Don’t believe me? Believe 8Pack. Our resident champion overlocker has used it in his latest premium build, the Hypercube Mark 2. Chosen for its excellent clock speeds, 12 cores and 24 threads, and sophisticated Zen 3 architecture, if 8Pack says it’s the best, then it’s the best. Get ready for jump scares and everything the latest chapter in that Resident Evil has to offer.
With Lady Dimitrescu taking the world by storm and the next chapter in the Resident Evil Village dropping this last May, it stands to reason that this would be our suggestion for the ultimate gaming CPU. In our recommended specs post, it suggests a minimum of an AMD Ryzen 5 3600, yet with the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X you will experience consistently awesome performance paired with the fast and efficient Zen 3 architecture. Being unlocked, this CPU can be boosted from its already speedy core clock of 3.7GHz to a phenomenal 4.8GHz. The undead won’t even see you coming!
What makes this AMD CPU stand out amongst the others as a gaming processor, is the combination of specs. Whilst it shares the Zen 3 architecture of the other Ryzen 5000 series, its 12-core and 24-thread count seats it in that prime position for gaming. Higher core and thread counts are generally better for creative efforts and do not always necessarily overclock as well. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X hits that sweet spot of high core efficiency and overclocking ability. Put this in your gaming PC, and you’ll be defeating Mother Miranda in no time.
What’s Best For You
As always, I will finish my findings with the mantra: really, it comes down to what suits you. If you are looking for that high octane, gaming sweet spot, then go for the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X. If you’d rather potter in your simulated fields and save a few pennies, then it is all about the AMD Ryzen 5 3600. Every one of these AMD CPUs is an excellent choice for a gaming PC, each with its own merits. One thing I can guarantee is that with any one of these processors you will be in for an amazing gaming experience.
- 7 min read
Emily Haylock
Author
Emily is a board and cosy gamer, keyboard obsessive, and content copywriter for Overclockers UK. She has been with Overclockers UK for two years, writing about everything from noblechairs to 8Pack PCs. She writes from within her desk nest with a foster pup at her feet. (What, a desk duvet is a totally normal thing!) In her downtime, she likes to play board games, farming sims, and old-school Final Fantasy. IX to be specific. It is the best, and that is a hill she will die on.
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