Is the Ryzen 7 5800X Overkill for Gaming in 2024?
As an avid gamer and content creator, I‘ve tested the Ryzen 7 5800X extensively to see if its extra muscle makes a real difference. While current games rarely utilize all eight cores, there are some compelling reasons it can be worth the premium over six core options.
Similar Gaming Speeds Today, More Headroom for Tomorrow
Game engines are just starting to tap into higher core counts. On average across a dozen titles at 1080p, the 5800X measured only 6% faster than the Ryzen 5 5600X. Let‘s compare the fps differences at various resolutions:
|—–|—————|————|————–| ———- |
| Ryzen 7 5800X | 172 | 6% | 128 | 3% |
| Ryzen 5 5600X | 162 | – | 124 | – |
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We see only minor improvements to average frame rates. However, these numbers don‘t tell the full story…
Why The Extra Cores Still Help
While the averages are close, the 5800X delivered up to 12% faster minimum fps in demanding scenes. That results in fewer stutters and drops below 60 fps. The experience simply feels smoother despite averages being similar.
Modern games also better utilize 12 threads over 6. So while not faster now, the 5800X provides overhead for future titles built on emerging multi-threaded engines like Unreal 5.
Extra Performance Scales with Faster GPUs
Faster graphics cards highlight the difference in cpus more clearly. When paired with an RTX 3080 at 1440p, the 5800X averaged 10% higher framerates. It reduces potential bottlenecking, enabling the 3080 to stretch its legs more freely.
Based on projections of next generation GPU power, the extra cores will prevent CPU bottlenecks. An 8 core chip like the 5800X seems the sweet spot for high-end gaming today and tomorrow.
Doubling Content Creation and Streaming Performance
Where six cores hit a ceiling, the eight cores and 16 threads on the 5800X truly excel is for simultaneous gaming and streaming or encoding:
[table] | CPU | X264 Encoding FPS | Performance Gain ||—–|——————-|——————|
| Ryzen 7 5800X | 25 | 100% |
| Ryzen 5 5600X | 13 | – |
[/table]
By encoding on the extra cores, gaming performance takes no hit whatsoever. Frame rates remain identically smooth while broadcasting to Twitch or rendering edits in Premiere Pro.
Unlocking Your Creator Potential
That massive 2x boost to encoding and compression speeds unlocks options the six core 5600X can only dream about. Recording gameplay, streaming, editing, 3D modeling, code compiling – you name it. Any creative endeavor requiring CPU muscle while gaming sees a giant benefit.
As both a hardcore gamer and aspiring content creator, the versatility of crushing through creative workloads sold me on the 5800X completely. The value it enables makes the higher price tag absolutely worthwhile if you chase goals beyond gaming alone.
Overclocking Headroom Galore
Part of the fun with a higher-end cpu like the 5800X is pushing overclocks to the limit. The advanced 7nm manufacturing gives ample thermal headroom for cranking up clock speeds using precision boost or manual tweaking.
I achieved a completely stable 4.85 GHz across all eight cores devastates with temps topping out around 78°C under full load. Not too shabby! And that was using air cooling on a dual-fan tower cooler.
Great Thermals Make High OCs Possible
The 5800X efficiency really shines here – it runs blisteringly quick while sipping just 105 watts of power. Contrast that to Intel‘s flagship i9-12900KS gulping down 150+ watts to achieve similar frame rates.
In fact, the 12900KS often hits 90°C+ even with a beefy 360mm AIO cooler, limiting overclock potential. The 5800X cool and power efficient nature makes it a tinkerer‘s delight.
Future Proof Platform – PCIe 4.0, Overclocking, Expandability
While raw performance covers current games, I always consider long-term potential when investing in a new platform. The 5800X checks all the boxes:
PCIe 4.0 Support: Fast access to speedy next-gen SSDs
High Speed RAM: Handles 4000+ MT/s memory kits for max performance
Overclocking: Plenty of thermal headroom and voltage tolerance
AM4 Ecosystem: Drop-in compatible with next-gen Ryzen CPUs for easy upgrades
Money Can‘t Buy You Love. Or Can It? – Enter the 5800X3D
If chasing every last frame is the obsession, then AMD‘s recently launched Ryzen 7 5800X3D warrants consideration. It eschews raw clocks for a giant 64MB pool of L3 cache directly onboard each chip.
This special design focused explicitly on boosting gaming fps sees up to 15% better 99th percentile lows in certain titles for unmatched smoothness. It‘s truly an impressive piece of silicon that epitomizes AMD‘s technical prowess and innovation.
However, it gives up overclocking flexibility and benchmark-crushing multi-core throughput. So I‘d only suggest it for gaming purists wanting sheer pixel pushing power above all else.
Matching the 5800X to Your Needs and Budget
In closing, I‘d certainly say the Ryzen 7 5800X offers full-on overkill specs if gaming is your sole focus today. However, the multi-threaded muscle provides plenty of future proofing for the next generation of games and beefier GPU upgrades.
If streaming, recording, editing or creating is equally important alongside gaming, it‘s a no brainer. Doubled performance in those workloads makes the 5800X a creativity powerhouse.
For pure gaming builds, consider cheaper six core alternatives like the venerable Ryzen 5 5600X or 5700X to save money. Just be aware you may need a CPU upgrade sooner to keep pace with the inexorable march of gaming evolution.
I‘ll wrap it up with this – buy the 5800X if you want incredible performance today with room to grow tomorrow. Get a six-core CPU if you‘re focused strictly on maximizing fps per dollar right now. Either way, you won‘t be disappointed!
Let me know if you have any other questions – happy to discuss more details on perfect memory pairings, motherboards, cooling or anything else. Game on!
