Best AM4 CPUs for Content Creating, Gaming, and Video Editing
Shako Memon
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The best AM4 CPUs combine powerful processing performance with advanced features specifically designed for immersive gaming experiences. These CPUs are optimized to handle the demanding demands of modern games, delivering high clock speeds and multi-threaded performance to ensure smooth gameplay even in the most intensive titles.
With the latest generation of AM4 CPUs, gamers can enjoy lightning-fast speeds, improved graphics rendering, and reduced latency in online games. These CPUs also come equipped with features like Precision Boost technology, integrated graphics, and unlocked overclocking potential, allowing gamers to push their CPUs to the limit for maximum performance.
Whether you’re playing first-person shooters, RPGs, or eSports titles, the best AM4 CPUs for gaming provide the performance and versatility you need to dominate the virtual world.
When choosing a good AM4 CPU, remember that TDP, or Thermal Design Power, is an important specification to consider. The lower the TDP, the lower the power consumption and heat generation, which leads to higher processor efficiency. AMD’s AM4 CPUs are known for their impressive TDP ratings, which allow for cooler and more energy-efficient operation.
What are the best AM4 CPUs of 2025?
1. AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D
The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D is essentially a lower-clocked Ryzen 7 5800X3D, offering similar performance while costing up to $150 less than AMD’s AM4 gaming flagship.
It features the same L3 cache as the CPU that kicked off AMD’s gaming CPU lineup, but without the core clock speed bump, while Team Red’s higher-end option offers a 400MHz higher boost clock.
While the less than 10% clock speed bump directly matches the 8-10% performance increase of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, the Ryzen 7 5700X3D wins in the pricing department, trading at a much more value-oriented price point, offering ~90% of the performance for around 55% of the price tag.
This is especially frowned upon considering that AM4 is positioned as a budget-friendly platform for new and existing PC owners looking to upgrade.
2. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
When it comes to finding the best AM4 CPU, you can’t overlook the impressive performance and efficiency of the Ryzen 9 5900X. With 12 cores and 24 threads, this processor delivers simply incredible levels of performance.
Whether you’re a professional content creator or a dedicated gamer, the Ryzen 9 5900X offers the perfect balance of speed and multitasking capabilities. It’s no wonder that it’s become the top choice for many enthusiasts on the market.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is the single biggest generational leap in performance in years, and it’s a huge upgrade. AMD’s latest release isn’t just a more powerful processor overall, it’s also a seriously powerful processor for gaming and creative tasks. If you have an AM4 motherboard, this processor is a great fit.
In 2025, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is significantly cheaper than when it first launched. Originally priced at a whopping $549 (around ￡420, AU$760), you can now find the high-end AM4 hardware for around $280 through retailers like Amazon.
Whether you’re upgrading from an older AM4 CPU or building your first, this puts the once-leading chip in a whole new light. You won’t find 12 cores and 24 threads for cheaper anywhere else.
3. AMD Ryzen 9 5950X Gaming CPU
For gamers looking for a productivity-focused CPU that also meets their performance needs, the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is the best Socket AM4 option out there. Unlike its newer sibling, the Ryzen 7 7950X, it doesn’t come with X3D, making it the perfect choice for creators given the extra cores, higher clock speeds, and relatively efficient performance that Zen 3 cores currently offer.
This makes it great for productivity tasks and great gaming performance, while also lagging behind AMD’s X3D CPUs, which include a much larger L3 cache per core that scales better in most modern titles.
It’s also trading at a significant discount compared to its previous MSRP, which when combined with the core count makes it one of the cheapest modern CPUs?per core on the market.
The Ryzen 9 5950X won’t be for everyone, but for those who need the extra cores and the multi-core performance it offers, it’s trading at an attractive value with no competing AMD offering on the AM4 socket, making it a great productivity choice in 2025.
4. AMD Ryzen 3 3300X
If you’re looking for an affordable yet powerful AM4 CPU for basic computing and light gaming, the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X is a great choice. With a quad-core, eight-thread configuration and a base clock speed of 3.8GHz, it delivers impressive performance for its price.
The Ryzen 3 3300X is designed for budget-conscious users who want to experience the power of AMD’s Zen architecture without breaking the bank. In addition to its performance, the Ryzen 3 3300X offers excellent power efficiency with a TDP (thermal design power) of just 65W.
That means it runs cool and consumes less energy, making it an ideal choice for small form factor PCs or systems with limited cooling capabilities. It includes AMD’s Precision Boost technology, which automatically adjusts clock speeds for optimal performance, further enhancing performance.
The Ryzen 3 3300X also features an unlocked multiplier, allowing you to easily overclock it for even more performance. This makes it a great choice for gamers looking to push their systems to the limit.
Overall, the Ryzen 3 3300X is the best entry-level AM4 CPU that offers the perfect balance of price and performance.
5. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is without a doubt one of the best gaming processors on the market for an AM4 motherboard. Thanks to AMD’s new 3D V-Cache technology, the 5800X3D delivers incredible performance that far surpasses its peers and even outperforms the Core i9-12900K in gaming.
For those who demand the fastest gaming experience possible while leveraging the AM4 platform, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D delivers higher clocks than other X3D-based CPUs on the AM4 socket, maximizing gaming gains while still being unmatched in terms of raw performance.
This is essentially an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X with additional cache memory stacked on the CPU die, making it a much more affordable option for those who want great gaming performance but don’t want to spend a ton of money, while still maintaining the same motherboard socket as the previous chip.
Of course, this assumes you have an AMD AM4 system in the first place. If not, you may need to buy a completely new motherboard and new cooling solution, in which case you’d be better off going all-in and buying the i9-12900K, which offers similar gaming performance but comes with a ton more bells and whistles.
Overall, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is surprisingly expensive, but it competes with the faster AM5-based Ryzen 7 7800X3D, which offers a significant performance boost in addition to the much-hyped upgrade path, with a new platform (AM5), PCI-E 5.0 support, and new DDR5 memory.
6. AMD Ryzen 5 5500
The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor, an entry-level 5000 series AMD Ryzen-based processor that features Zen 3 cores but a relatively crippled PCI-E 3.0 interface at the processor level. This makes it a more attractive choice than the 5600 based on price alone.
AMD's Ryzen 5 5500 is an entry-level hexa-core CPU that shaves off half the L3 cache found on the faster 5600 CPUs, while limiting PCI-E speeds to the PCI-E 3.0 standard, bringing clock speeds down to under $100.
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Still, for now, it's an excellent value-focused CPU that will be available in 2025 for those who don't want to spend more than necessary on the AM4 platform, but still want to get the most out of it.
While the lack of PCI-E 3.0 support may be a drawback for some, it allows the CPU to pair well with most entry-level to mid-range GPUs, making it a boon for gamers building or upgrading older AM4 CPUs on a very tight budget.
7. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU
The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a mid-range CPU that’s perfect for gaming setups. It’s AMD’s fastest 6-core AM4-based processor, offering 12 processing threads. According to the company, the processor can deliver over 100 FPS in some of the world’s most popular games.
The processor supports DDR4 memory with a sweet spot of 3600 MHz. It offers a 4.6 GHz boost clock speed, has some overclocking potential, and is paired with 35 MB of cache. This model comes with the AMD Wraith Stealth cooler, which is both quiet and capable.
The 6-core, 12-thread CPU ships with a very similar stock cooler to the Ryzen 5 5500 above, but with a beefier L3 cache, higher clocks, and PCI-E 4.0 support, making it a much more viable and future-proof purchase on the current AM4 socket.
The added stock cooler offer typically offers a $20-$50 haircut over similar hardware that ships without a thermal solution. The 5600X falls behind current-gen CPUs in terms of single-core performance, but for its price, it competes with quad-core Intel CPUs and currently has no Ryzen 7000 series competitor (the closest being the iGPU-less Ryzen 5 7500F).
The 5600X will remain a viable upgrade and build option for those looking to move to AM4 this time around, well into 2025.
FAQ
Will AMD still make AM4 CPUs?
AMD may be preparing more CPUs for the AM4 platform, even though it has been replaced by the AM5 platform for new PC builders. We may also see more X3D editions in the future.
This assumption is supported by the recently released 16-core Ryzen 9 5900XT and the 8-core Ryzen 7 5800XT that was released earlier this year.
What is the best Ryzen CPU for budget gaming?
If we are talking specifically about the AM4 platform, the Ryzen 5600X is the best budget Ryzen CPU, featuring 6 cores and 12 threads with overclocking support.
Which AMD Ryzen CPU is best for gaming?
For gaming purposes, the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is considered the top choice for AM4 CPUs. Packing 16 cores and 32 threads, it offers great performance and multitasking capabilities. With high clock speeds and an efficient architecture, this CPU can handle the most demanding games without breaking a sweat.
The Ryzen 9 5950X also supports PCIe 4.0 for faster data transfers and improved gaming performance. It also includes features like Precision Boost 2 and StoreMI technology to enhance your overall gaming experience. If you’re looking for the best gaming performance, the Ryzen 9 5950X won’t disappoint.
What’s the best high-end AM4 CPU for gaming?
If you want top-tier performance and are willing to invest in a high-end CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is the best choice for gaming. With 12 cores and 24 threads, it delivers excellent performance for demanding games and tasks.
The Ryzen 9 5900X also features advanced technologies like Precision Boost, which automatically adjusts clock speeds for optimal performance, and PCIe 4.0 support for ultra-fast data transfers.
What is the cheapest AM4 CPU for gaming?
If you’re on a budget but still want solid gaming performance, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is a great choice. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it strikes a nice balance between price and performance.
While it won’t deliver the same level of performance as high-end CPUs, it should be able to handle most modern games without a hitch. The Ryzen 5 3600 also has decent boost clock speeds and PCIe 4.0 support, ensuring smooth gameplay and fast data transfers.
It’s a reliable choice for budget-conscious gamers who want a reliable AM4 CPU without breaking the bank.
Which AMD Ryzen CPU is best for productivity tasks?
If you primarily use your computer for productivity tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, or software development, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is a great choice. With 12 cores and 24 threads, it delivers outstanding multi-threaded performance to shorten rendering times and make your workflow smoother.
The Ryzen 9 5900X also features high boost clock speeds and PCIe 4.0 support, ensuring fast data transfers and efficient multitasking. Whether you’re editing high-resolution videos or running complex simulations, this CPU can handle it all with ease.
What is the best AMD Ryzen CPU for content creation?
If you’re heavily involved in content creation tasks like video editing, graphic design, or animation, the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is your best option. With 16 cores and 32 threads, it delivers unmatched performance even in demanding tasks.
The Ryzen 9 3950X also features high boost clock speeds and PCIe 4.0 support, which will help reduce rendering times and make your workflow even smoother. Whether you’re working with large video files or creating complex visual effects, this CPU can handle it all without breaking a sweat.
What’s the fastest AMD processor right now?
The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is twice as fast. It’s the fastest AMD desktop processor available right now, aside from the Threadripper series, which is aimed at high-end content creation and likely won’t meet most people’s needs.
For consumer AMD processors that are more focused on meeting everyday productivity, creativity, and gaming needs, the Ryzen 9 7950X is the fastest and most reliable on the market.
How to Choose the Best AMD Processor for you?
The most important thing when it comes to finding the best AMD processor for your needs and budget is knowing what the processor is supposed to do. Sometimes you can overpay for a processor when considering an upgrade, and buying the fastest chip on the market isn’t always the best option.
If you only need to do general computing like online shopping, streaming movies, and light productivity tasks, a Ryzen 3 or Ryzen 5 processor will suffice for your needs, while a Ryzen 7 or Ryzen 9 will cost you significantly more with little to no benefit to your user experience.
If you plan on doing a lot of PC gaming and content creation, a Ryzen 5 will barely suffice, and you’ll probably be better off with a Ryzen 3 for anything more complex than Candy Crush, so a Ryzen 7 or Ryzen 9 would be a better choice.
Are there AM4 CPUs specifically designed for overclocking?
Yes, there are AM4 CPUs designed with overclocking in mind. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is a great choice for overclocking enthusiasts. With 8 cores and 16 threads, it delivers impressive performance even at stock speeds.
However, what sets the Ryzen 7 5800X apart is its overclocking potential. With proper cooling and tuning, you can push this CPU to higher clock speeds to unleash its full potential and achieve maximum performance in games.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen in this article, the best AM4 CPU will depend on your specific needs and budget. No matter which AM4 CPU you choose, you can expect great performance, efficiency, and value from AMD processors.
With cutting-edge technology and competitive pricing, AM4 CPUs have solidified their position as some of the best processors on the market.
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