AMD has announced the launch of the highly anticipated Ryzen 7 5700X3D desktop processor, featuring the company’s new 3D V-Cache technology. The $249 CPU promises significant gaming performance improvements and will be available on January 31, 2024.
In a bid to keep its AM4 platform alive even longer, AMD also announced refreshes of existing Ryzen 5000 desktop chips, along with two new Ryzen 5000G APUs with integrated Radeon graphics.
Revolutionary 3D V-Cache Delivers Up to 15% Higher Gaming FPS
The star of the show is without doubt the Ryzen 7 5700X3D, AMD’s first desktop CPU to utilize 3D V-Cache technology. Essentially a vertically stacked cache chiplet, the 64MB of L3 cache aims to feed the 8-core chip’s high performance Zen 3 cores quickly enough to eliminate latency bottlenecks.
Early benchmarks show impressive gains in gaming workloads, with up to a 15% increase in average FPS across popular titles:
| Game | 5700X | 5700X3D | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS:GO | 398 | 458 | 15% |
| Rainbow Six Siege | 216 | 249 | 15% |
| Fortnite | 143 | 165 | 15% |
The specialized cache architecture is tailored for gaming, allowing the 5700X3D to keep pace with or even surpass Intel’s gaming champion the Core i9-12900K. With a focus on real world gameplay rather than synthetic benchmarks, AMD is marketing the chip as “the ultimate gaming CPU”.
New Ryzen 5000 Refresh Brings Small Performance Gains
Joining the Ryzen 7 5700X3D are refreshed versions of existing Ryzen 5000 chips, including:
- Ryzen 7 5700X – 8-core, 16-thread CPU @ 4.6 GHz boost, no iGPU, $299
- Ryzen 5 5600 – 6-core, 12-thread CPU @ 4.4 GHz boost, no iGPU, $199
These new non-X SKUs slot in below their X-branded counterparts at lower prices while delivering similar performance. A modest 200MHz higher boost clock is the only improvement over 2020’s equivalents like the Ryzen 7 5800X.
Still, with strong single threaded performance and high core counts, the refreshed Zen 3 chips will appeal to mainstream and high end gamers and content creators alike. Paired with one of AMD’s RDNA2 or upcoming RDNA3 GPUs, they promise excellent gaming experiences in 2024.
Two New Ryzen 5000G APUs With Radeon Graphics
AMD also unveiled two new Ryzen 5000G desktop APUs (accelerated processing units), the Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 5 5600G. These chips integrate Zen 3 CPU cores with Radeon Vega graphics on a single chip, removing the need for a discrete GPU.
With 6 CPU cores, 12 threads and peak boost clocks of 4.6GHz, the Ryzen 5 5600G outpaces its 5000G predecessors. Its integrated Radeon graphics with 7 compute units and higher 1.9GHz graphics clock also outmuscles the previous generation. At $219, it brings playable 1080p performance in modern AAA games like Elden Ring to low cost, compact systems.
The Ryzen 5 5500 rounds out the latest APU offerings with 6 CPU cores without simultaneous multi-threading, up to 4.2GHz boost, and only 6 Radeon compute units. With a rumored price around €150, equivalent to $160, it delivers solid 720p gaming for super budget builds.
| APU | CPU Cores | Threads | Boost Clock | GPU CUs | GPU Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5600G | 6 | 12 | 4.6GHz | 7 | 1.9GHz |
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 6 | 6 | 4.2GHz | 6 | 1.8GHz |
Analysis: Keeping the AM4 Platform Alive
While rival Intel initiates yet another platform change with its 13th Gen Raptor Lake CPUs due later in 2024, AMD’s continued support for AM4 means existing motherboards will support this latest generation. Users can drop in a Ryzen 7 5700X3D or other new Zen 3 chip to upgrade performance without replacing other components.
This is a boon for AMD customers, and encourages brand loyalty rather than costly full system upgrades. It may also sway new customers towards choosing an AM4 platform for future upgradability.
However, AMD risks limiting technological progress by sticking to the aging AM4 socket. Memory support remains capped at DDR4-3200 speeds rather than advanced DDR5 memory. And while PCIe 4.0 offers plenty of bandwidth today, Nvidia’s next-gen RTX 40-series GPUs may expose the need for PCIe 5.0 support to avoid interface bottlenecks.
Still, with Zen 4 Ryzen 7000 processors not expected until late 2024 on the new AM5 platform, AMD is keeping AM4 relevant for at least another year. This Universal AM4 socket strategy has worked well since its 2017 introduction. Time will tell whether it proves limiting for AMD’s performance aspirations in the latter half of the decade.
What This Means for PC Builders
For consumers, the Ryzen 7 5700X3D offers an exciting new option with strong gaming performance at an attractive $249 price point. With 8 high efficiency cores, it avoids the energy and thermal extremes of Intel’s flagship i9-12900K. Yet early benchmarks show it beating even the Core i9 at many top titles. Combined with cheaper AM4 motherboards this makes a compelling alternative for high end gaming PCs in 2024.
The new and refreshed Ryzen 5000 series chips also bolster AMD’s desktop CPU portfolio with better value options. While performance gains over 2020’s models are marginal, even small clock speed bumps are welcome. And with rumors of price cuts across the stack, AMD could significantly undercut rival Intel’s 12th Gen Alder Lake pricing.
Finally, the two new Zen 3 APUs allow gaming on even the tightest budget. With GPU prices still well above MSRP, these chips let you defer buying a graphics card. They open the door for silent small form factor systems like media boxes and home theater PCs. For lightweight gaming at 1080p or smooth general computing, the Ryzen 5 5600G seems a noteworthy option versus building with separate CPU and GPU components.
Outlook for 2024 and Beyond
While Intel aims to retake the gaming performance crown in 2024, AMD is not standing still. Its focus and investment in next generation 3D chiplets gives Ryzen an edge this generation. And with Zen 4 and new RDNA3 graphics architectures on the horizon, Team Red has a strong technology roadmap for the future.
To get new technologies like DDR5 and PCIe 5.0, AMD will eventually need to move beyond the AM4 platform’s limitations. For now however, AM4 remains highly compelling for the mainstream. It brings last-gen performance at huge savings for upgraders still on older platforms like AM3 or Intel LGA 115x.
For these buyers, 2024 will be an exciting year to refresh aging systems or build new ones, now with appealing options whichever way the AMD vs Intel debate sways you. The innovation driving intense competition in the CPU market creates a win for consumers overall. Both brands offer compelling reasons to buy into their ecosystems in 2024 and beyond.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
