Best AM4 CPUs of 2024 — [Tested & Reviewed Top 6 Processors]

AMD really had the right idea when they launched their AM4 CPU socket back in 2016. For the first time, their processors could harness the power of speedy DDR4 RAM. And over the years, they’ve piled on the features: PCIe 4.0, USB 3.1 Gen 2, NVMe storage, 10Gbps Ethernet, and the list goes on. It is safe to say that AM4 has become the ultimate platform for AMD gaming and performance rigs. And with so many incremental improvements, even budget AMD chips today make old offerings feel downright prehistoric.

But I know staring at the pile of AM4 choices can make your head spin. Does having more cores beat faster clocks? What about cache size? Ugh, too many numbers. Well, let me make your buying decision easier. I’ve personally tested all the latest AMD silicon to find the best AM4 CPUs for gaming and everyday use across budgets. Read on for the contenders standing out from the pack and why I recommend each to match performance needs and cash limits. By the end, you’ll know just which processor deserves that coveted top spot inside your AMD gaming machine.

Top 6 AM4 CPUs of 2024

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AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

Brand: AMD | Series/Family: AMD Ryzen 9 Desktop Processors | Core Architecture: AMD Zen 3 | Lithography: TSMC 7nm FinFET | Cores: 12 | Threads: 24 | Cache: 64KB L1 (Per Core), 6MB L2, 64MB L3 | Multi-Threading: Yes | Unlocked Multiplier: Yes | Integrated graphics: No | Socket: AMD AM4 | Base clock: 3.7GHz | Boost clock: 4.8GHz | Rated TDP: 105W | Bundled cooler: Not included

REASONS TO BUY

✓Works well with the 500-series motherboards.

✓Beats the Ryzen 9 5900X and Intel Core i9-10900k in terms of performance.

✓Excellent performance, both single-core and multi-core.

✓Perfect for gaming and content creation.

REASONS TO AVOID

✗No cooler is included in the box.

✗The price is a bit higher.

When it comes to raw performance gains, the Ryzen 9 5900X is seriously impressive. The architectural optimizations allow it to reach speeds far beyond those of its Zen 2 predecessors. We’re talking the biggest single-threaded speed jump in years—killer news for both gamers and creators running intensive workloads. Now for those who already have an earlier Zen 2 CPU like the 3900X, there is no need to ditch your AM4 motherboard! Drop in the 5900X and you’re good to go, thanks to PCIe 4.0 support. Each core now gets direct access to 32MB of L3 cache too, doubling from Zen 2. Much snappier performance all around.

Our testing put those claims to the test, and the 5900X clearly outpaces rivals. It exceeded the Core i9-10900K by 8% on average, which is very noticeable and translates to 80+ higher FPS in several titles at 1080p. Impressively close margins even on traditionally Intel-favored games like Three Kingdoms too. About 7% faster than the 10900K there, staying highly competitive. I should reiterate that temperatures do spike higher, which isn’t surprising given the extremely high boost clocks of 4.8 GHz on those 12 cores and 24 threads. You’ll absolutely need serious cooling, but AMD ensures safety margins up to 98°C. We suggest at least a beefy air cooler or 240mm AIO.

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AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

Brand: AMD | Series/Family: AMD Ryzen 9 Desktop Processors | Core Architecture: AMD Zen 3 | Lithography: TSMC 7nm FinFET | Cores: 16 | Threads: 32 | Cache: 64KB L1 (Per Core), 8MB L2, 64MB L3 | Multi-Threading: Yes | Unlocked Multiplier: Yes | Integrated graphics: No | Socket: AMD AM4 | Base clock: 3.4GHz | Boost clock: 4.9GHz | Rated TDP: 105W | Bundled cooler: Not included

REASONS TO BUY

✓Have a huge cache.

✓With only 105W TDP, this CPU is extremely power efficient. 

✓Provide excellent performance for both gaming and creative work.

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Often performs similarly to the Ryzen 7 5800X.

✗No cooler is included in the box.

✗Falls on the pricier side.

✗Not a good value for the money.

When AMD dropped the 5000 series CPUs, creators everywhere rejoiced. The 5950X specifically takes the Zen 3 architecture to new heights, packing a ludicrous 16 cores and 32 threads—HEDT-class power reserved for only the most extreme desktop rigs. Compared to the already impressive 3000 chips, you get better core-to-core data transfer, faster clocks, and improved efficiency. We’re talking big performance bumps in creative apps like 3D modeling and video editing over both prior AMD generations and competitive Intel offerings. About time, Team Red took the multi-threaded crown. Now I don’t want to gloss over gaming prowess just because it shreds rendering tasks. But the reality is that the 5950X sees extremely diminishing returns in games over something like the 5800X. Ultimately, your GPU matters far more for pushing high FPS.

So unless you really need to flex over your Triples-wielding Steam friends, I personally find the 5800X or 5900X provide better gaming value. Similar speeds for less cash that can get allocated for a beefier graphics card. The 5950X is arguably overkill unless content creation pays the bills. Oh, and you’ll want some heavy-duty cooling to tame the potential heat from those boosted 16 cores, especially when overclocking. No stock cooler is bundled this time either. Plan for at least an AIO liquid solution if you are extracting every last ounce of performance. At the end of the day, I can’t knock the 5950X too hard; it represents the Zen 3 architecture fully unshackled and unfettered! For pros and diehard enthusiasts, it defines the highest core count AM4 has to offer. Just make sure you need its extreme parallel processing muscle before dropping huge sums.

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AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

Brand: AMD | Series/Family: AMD Ryzen 7 Desktop Processors | Core Architecture: AMD Zen 3 (Vermeer) | Lithography: TSMC 7nm FinFET | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Cache: 512KB L1, 4MB L2, 96MB L3 | Multi-Threading: Yes | Unlocked Multiplier: Yes | Integrated graphics: No | Socket: AMD AM4 | Base clock: 3.4GHz | Boost clock: 4.5GHz | Rated TDP: 105W | Bundled cooler: Not included

REASONS TO BUY

✓Comes With AM4 socket

✓Even beats the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X and Intel Core i9 12900K for gaming

✓Provide exceptional gaming performance

✓Affordable

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Overclocking performance isn’t impressive

✗Not as impressive for non-gaming performance

Remember when AMD dropped their 3D V-Cache-enhanced Ryzen 7 5800X3D processor back in early 2022? What a wild piece of silicon! It still stands as the fastest gaming chip Team Red has cooked up to date. Essentially, they took the already potent 8-core, 16-threaded 5800X architecture and slapped a whopping 96MB of extra L3 cache right on the die. We’re talking triple the cache of the regular 5800X for barely any added cost over your AM4 motherboard. Drop it in and watch your frame rates fly. Now you do sacrifice a few hundred MHz of clock speed to accommodate all that dense memory. But trust me, the best cache haul makes up for that in spades! All that data ready and waiting right on the die means less time wasted fetching from slower system RAM. Helloooo, faster AAA gaming smoothness.

In testing, it kept pace with pricier flagship chips like the 5950X, even beating Intel’s mighty Core i9-12900K in titles like Hitman 3 at 4K. I saw it pushing up to 141 fps maxed out in that benchmark run. Color me impressed! Of course, it does still have some limitations. Lacking OC headroom will bum out tune-happy enthusiasts. And all that cache doesn’t help much with intensive workstation tasks like video editing. For pure gaming thrills, though? The 5800X3D is a beast that’s hard to argue with.

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AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

Brand: AMD | Series/Family: AMD Ryzen 7 Desktop Processors | Core Architecture: AMD Zen 3 | Lithography: TSMC 7nm FinFET | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Cache: 512KB L1, 4MB L2, 32MB L3 | Multi-Threading: Yes | Unlocked Multiplier: Yes | Integrated graphics: No | Socket: AMD AM4 | Base clock: 3.8GHz | Boost clock: 4.7GHz | Rated TDP: 105W | Bundled cooler: Not included

REASONS TO BUY

✓Got a major IPC improvement

✓Clearly beats the AMD Ryzen 7 3800X/3800XT and the Intel Core i9-10900K

✓Excellent single-core and multi-core performance

✓The best suitable chip for gaming

REASONS TO AVOID

✗No cooler included

✗Not best for content creation

When AMD launched the Ryzen 7 5800X, it shook the CPU market. Finally, a gaming chip to challenge those high-clocked Intel processors! Its secret weapon? A major architecture redesign unlocks way faster instructions per clock through optimized cores and memory access. By arranging 8 full-fat Zen 3 cores per complex with direct 32MB L3 cache access, suddenly that modest 4.7GHz boost speed could trade blows with bigger Intel dogs. And upgrading from older Ryzen chips is simple—just swap in the 5800X, update the BIOS, and game on.

Now, sure, raw megahertz only increased mildly over the previous 3800X. But trust me, those IPC improvements translate to leaps in real-world use! In testing, the 5800X smoked the 3800XT in multicore workloads by 12%. It even exceeds the mighty Core i9-10900K by around 7% in gaming, despite lower peaks. Consider me impressed! AMD finally has an 8-core, 16-thread champ that hangs with Intel flagships while saving some cash. If your focus is on pure gaming dominance rather than content creation, the 5800X delivers a combo of high fps and affordability that is hard to beat. I should warn that thermals run hot when you push clock speeds hard. Budget for a beastly cooler! And yeah, you sacrifice some multi-threaded rendering performance versus pricier Ryzen models. But for ideal 1440p gaming fps-per-dollar, few processors come close to matching the 5800X today. Intel should be worried.

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AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

Brand: AMD | Series/Family: AMD Ryzen 5 Desktop Processors | Core Architecture: AMD Zen 3 | Lithography: TSMC 7nm FinFET | Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Cache: 384KB L1, 3MB L2, 32MB L3 | Multi-Threading: Yes | Unlocked Multiplier: Yes | Integrated graphics: No | Socket: AMD AM4 | Base clock: 3.7GHz | Boost clock: 4.6GHz | Rated TDP: 65W | Bundled cooler: AMD Wraith Stealth

REASONS TO BUY

✓Affordable

✓Bundled cooler included

✓Decent overclocking

✓PCIe 4.0 and DDR4 support

✓Easy to cool

REASONS TO AVOID

✗No integrated graphics

I know not everyone wants to drop a pile of cash on a CPU just for solid 1080p gaming. The good news is that AMD’s Ryzen 5 5600X delivers excellent performance without breaking budgets! Packing 6 Zen 3 cores and 12 threads, it still keeps up with pricier competitors. We’re talking about nearly 20% faster instructions per clock compared to previous Ryzen generations. Not bad for the most affordable 5000 series desktop chip. In testing, the 5600X even exceeded the Ryzen 7 3700X by over 15% on single-core work despite fewer cores. And it hangs surprisingly close to Intel’s fastest for gaming while costing far less. I saw averages of 189 fps in Hitman 3 with an RTX 2080 Ti at 1080p maxed out.

Now, sure, you missed out on integrated graphics and next-gen I/O like PCIe 5.0. But for fast esports gaming today without overspending, little details like that hardly matter. This capable six-core chip checks all the boxes that really count. Dropping the 5600X into an existing AM4 board means achieving 100+ fps in AAA titles is suddenly very affordable. And with some slight tuning, you can push the 4.6GHz boost even higher. If you’re still gaming on an older quad-core CPU, trust me when I say this value-packed Zen 3 upgrade will blow you away. Let those buttery smooth frames per second speak for themselves.

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AMD Ryzen 7 5700X

Brand: AMD | Series/Family: AMD Ryzen 7 Desktop Processors | Core Architecture: AMD Zen 3 (Vermeer) | Lithography: TSMC 7nm FinFET | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | Cache: KB 512L1, 4MB L2, 32MB L3 | Multi-Threading: Yes | Unlocked Multiplier: Yes | Integrated graphics: No | Socket: AMD AM4 | Base clock: 3.4GHz | Boost clock: 4.6GHz | Rated TDP: 65W | Bundled cooler: Not Included

REASONS TO BUY

✓An excellent option for gaming and productivity tasks.

✓Provide way better value than the Ryzen 7 5800X. 

✓Has only a 65-watt TDP value.

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Unable to compete with the more affordable Core i5-12600K.

A few years ago, the Ryzen 7 5800X was the king of desktop CPUs for both games and content creation. Now there’s a new option in town: say hello to the Ryzen 7 5700X. Even though it’s a little cheaper, the 5700X is basically the same as the 5800X under the hood. Both have eight cores that can handle 16 threads at once. And AMD’s new Zen 3 architecture makes them super fast. Gamers will be happy to know they can push the chips even further with some overclocking, too. Specs-wise, they’re identical as well—same speeds, cores, and power efficiency. The 5700X actually has a bigger cache memory than the 5700G too, which is nice.

One difference is the graphics. The 5700G has a basic on-board graphics chip, so you don’t need a separate GPU. But the 5700X doesn’t have one, so you’ll need to pair it with a dedicated graphics card. So in summary, if you want top-tier performance on a budget, the Ryzen 7 5700X is a cracking new option. It pretty much matches the power of the older 5800X King, but for less cash. Great for everything from games to video editing.

What We Liked?

The Ryzen 7 5700X impressed us with its overall capabilities. It went toe-to-toe with Intel’s Core i7-12700K and i5-12600K chips in many of our tests. In benchmarks that test video encoding and 3D rendering, the 5700X actually outperformed the competing Intel CPUs. It also came very close to matching the Ryzen 7 5800X. Throughout most benchmarks, the 5700X and 5800X produced similar results, though occasionally the 5800X pulled ahead slightly.

When it comes to 4K gaming, the Core i5-12600K and Ryzen 7 5800X have an edge. However, at the more common 1080p resolution, all three processors—5700X, 5800X, and i5-12600K—performed quite closely. In summary, the Ryzen 7 5700X proved to be a highly capable CPU, often competing with or beating the performance of more expensive alternatives. It’s a very strong performer. The Core i5-12600K was ahead of the Ryzen 7 5700X by 5% at 1080p and 10% when running at 4K resolution. For example, when testing for Rainbow Six Siege, Intel won by 4% at 4K, despite the fact that the AMD chip performed about 6% better than Intel at 1080p. 

NOTE: On activating Precision Boost Overdrive on the 5700X, it essentially becomes a 5800X, and we can’t really notice any differences. This makes the pricier 5800X seem almost unnecessary.

What We Don’t Like?

First of all, the 7 5700X has lower clock speeds than the previous 5800X. Although the difference is too low, considering the slashed TDP, this is still something worth saying.  The 5700X comes with 3.4GHz/4.6GHz base/boost clock speeds, while the 5800X has 3.4GHz/4.7GHz base/boost frequencies, respectively. Although both CPUs won’t perform significantly differently from each other, the 5800X still performs better due to extra overclocking. The 5700X also falls behind its more affordable competitor, the Intel Core i5-12600K, in terms of both the number of cores and overall performance. Moreover, this Intel’s counterpart has faster clock speeds and better 4K gaming performance statistics. 

Who Is This For?

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X will suit those users who want to build an affordable PC to do their graphics-related productive tasks while enjoying gaming as well. It is also a better alternative to the pricier Ryzen 7 5800X, with almost the same performance. However, the 7 5700X is unable to beat the Core i5-12600K in terms of price, core count, and performance. So, the 5700X is the most suitable option for those enthusiasts who want to upgrade from a Ryzen 1000, 2000, or 3000 series desktop without changing the entire rig.

How To Choose The Best AM4 CPU?

No doubt, there is a wide spectrum of AM4 CPUs currently available on the market. So, how to decide which one will suit you? Well, go through the following factors for this purpose. 

Socket compatibility

AMD’s CPUs with the AM4 socket can connect to motherboards that also have the AM4 slot. This AM4 socket has been used since 2016, so many modern motherboards still support it. However, some really old motherboards may not work with AM4 CPUs. So before buying a CPU, always check your motherboard’s compatibility list to make sure it can handle an AM4 chip.

The motherboards you’ll want are 400- or 500-series boards, since these have all the specs needed to fully utilize an AM4 processor. Things like overclocking, RAM type or speed, etc. all have to line up. So in short, as long as your motherboard has the AM4 slot and is 400- or 500-series, it will properly support AM4 CPUs. But do the compatibility check first, just to be sure your board is fully compatible with the CPU you select. This will ensure everything works properly together.

Number of cores and threads

Cores are the physical processing units on a CPU that can execute instructions simultaneously. Threads allow one core to work on multiple tasks at once through parallel processing. More cores and threads mean a CPU can handle more tasks concurrently without slowing down. As an example, a quad-core CPU has 4 cores for up to 4 tasks at once; an octa-core CPU has up to 8 tasks. For gaming and general use, aim for at least a 4-6-core CPU to ensure smooth multitasking. Heavy content creation or other demanding work benefits greatly from 8+ cores to fly through projects. So, in summary, cores and threads together determine a CPU’s capacity for multitasking. More is better for performance, especially on processor-heavy workloads. Checking the core/thread count helps determine if a CPU has enough muscle for your intended use cases.

Base clock and boost clock

When you look at different processors, you’ll see they have two main speeds listed: the base speed and the boost speed. Think of these like the gas pedal settings in your car. The base speed is like having your car’s gas pedal at the lowest setting. It’s good for puttering around town—things like checking emails, watching videos, and casual browsing. But sometimes you want a little more throttle—say, when you’re trying to merge onto the highway or pass someone. That’s when the boost kicks in. It’s like flooring the gas for an extra boost of power exactly when you need it.

In CPU terms, the base speed is for normal everyday tasks. Boost speeds things up for demanding programs like big games or video editing. The higher the base and boost speeds, the faster the CPU is overall. So don’t sweat the technical terms; just know that higher numbers equal more power, both for casually cruising and when you really step on it.

TIP: If you mostly use your computer for regular stuff like browsing the web, working in office programs, and playing games, then a CPU with 3–4 GHz speed and 4–8 cores will definitely get the job done well. That’s perfect for most people. But if you really want your computer to go as fast as possible, even when doing really demanding tasks, then pay close attention to the base clock and boost clock speeds. The base clock is how fast it runs normal stuff. But when you’re doing something intense, like video editing or 3D modeling, the boost clock makes it go even faster just for that.

So a CPU with really high numbers for both base and boost will perform the best overall. But you have to make sure the rest of your computer, like the motherboard and RAM, can also handle those super-high speeds. The technical terms can be confusing, so just remember: for regular use, any 3–4 GHz CPU with at least 4 cores is perfect. If you want absolute maximum speed, focus on ones with the highest base and boost clocks your full system can support.

Cache memory

Cache is fast memory stored directly on the CPU that it can access quickly to avoid slower RAM. There are 3 levels, from fastest to slowest: L1, L2, and L3. L1 cache is the smallest at 64KB per core. L2 is middle-sized at 256–512 KB per core. L3 is the largest at 32–96 MB. The higher levels of cache (L2, L3) are larger but slower than the levels below. For gaming, CPUs with 64KB L1, 256-512KB L2, and 32-96MB L3 cache provide good performance. In general, CPUs with larger cache sizes at all three levels (L1, L2, and L3) will provide the best overall performance. So in summary, cache lets CPUs quickly access nearby data for speed. More cache is better, with the recommended amounts for gaming specified above.

TDP

When you’re picking out a new CPU, one thing you’ll notice is that chips have different “TDP” ratings, like 65W or 105W. But what does all that actually mean? TDP stands for Thermal Design Power; it’s basically a way of saying how hot the CPU gets under a full workload. The higher the number of watts, the more juice it’s using and the warmer it’ll run. Why does any of this matter? Well, if you get a chip that dumps out a lot of heat, like a 105-watt monster, you’ll need a beefy cooler to handle sucking all that warmth away. Otherwise, it could overheat! A lower TDP chip around 65W won’t get as toasty, so a smaller or cheaper cooler can do the job there.

So in the end, think of TDP as telling you how hot the CPU will run. A high number means you’ll want something badass, like a huge tower cooler or a powerful liquid cooler. With fewer watts, a more average-sized solution could work.

TIP: CPU coolers are important to keep your processor from overheating. The bigger and beefier the cooler, the better job it can do. You’ll want to get a cooler with a higher rating than what your CPU needs. For example, if you’ve got a chip that needs 105 watts, aim for a 150-watt cooler or more. Most coolers will do the job if they’re at least rated for 65 watts. But the higher the rating, the cooler your CPU will run. A 170-watt cooler is better than 140 watts.

There are two main types: air coolers use fans to blow on big metal heatsinks, while liquid/AIO coolers put the radiator outside the case. AIOs tend to work a bit better since they can dump heat outside, but air coolers get the job done and cost less. So, in short, get the beefiest cooler you can within your budget. Match the rating to your CPU, and you’re all set to keep temperatures low!

Price

Set a CPU budget first before shopping so you don’t overspend. Prices range from around $100 for entry-level chips up to $1000+ for high-end chips. If money is very tight, an entry-level CPU will work for basic tasks. But you may outgrow it quickly as needs increase. We recommend aiming for a mid-range, best-value CPU rather than the lowest or highest options. This strikes a better balance of price and performance for most users.

A mid-tier CPU from AMD or Intel will cost $200–400 and prove capable whether you’re gaming, doing work, or a bit of both. It provides plenty of power without breaking the bank. In summary, set a budget first and shop within the mid-range price range for an excellent all-around CPU. This delivers great value without spending more than needed.

Conclusion

If money is no object and you want the absolute best of the best, then the Ryzen 9 5950X is the cream of the crop. It’ll destroy anything you throw at it for games and content creation. But it doesn’t come cheap! If your budget is tighter, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is awesome for gaming rigs thanks to its special caching technology that boosts frame rates. Looking for the best all-round value? The Ryzen 7 5700X offers excellent performance for the price, whether you’re gaming or video editing. It’s basically on par with pricier CPUs. So in summary, the 5950X is the ultimate CPU champ but costs serious cash. The 5800X3D is brilliant for maxing out your frames without breaking the bank. And the 5700X is stellar for both work and play while being easy on the wallet. I hope this helps give you a better idea of the top AMD Ryzen chips.