AMD’s Ryzen 5800X3D from three generations ago is now one of its most expensive CPUs, outpricing the current-generation 9800X3D and even the flagship 9950X3D.
As reported by Tom’s Hardware, the CPU, which launched at $449 in April 2022, is now priced at over $800 almost everywhere, as gamers attempt to save money on a gaming PC by using older parts that support cheaper DDR4 memory. That’s the theory anyway. Now that the prices of older memory and CPUs are spiking too, the chance to grab a deal has likely evaporated.
When AMD launched the 5800X3D, it caught the world by surprise. For years, it had been nipping at Intel’s heels in gaming, but never quite managed to surpass it. Then the 3D V-Cache on the 5800X3D blew the doors off PC gaming, and suddenly AMD was the king.
(Credit: PCMag)
At the time, I wrote for Digital Trends that the 5800X3D would always be the best AM4 CPU and hold its value. Nearly four years after its release, it’s selling for double its debut price, with some second-hand models even reaching close to $1,000 on sites like eBay.
The reason for this surprising resurgence is largely due to memory. As prices of the latest DDR5 have skyrocketed, gamers and DIY system builders hoping for a deal have looked elsewhere. First, the slower DDR5 memory was purchased, then the oddly configured modules, and finally DDR4. With the 5800X3D offering some of the best gaming performance in the DDR4 era, and older AMD motherboards still being relatively affordable, it’s a smart buy. Limited-run alternatives like the 5600X3D and 5700X3D are also worth considering; they’re less well-known, so you might find it easier to snag one at a good price.
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Intel’s CPUs may be next. Although its 13th- and 14th-generation chips weren’t stellar in all aspects, they were very capable for gaming (albeit while running very hot). They also support DDR4 and DDR5, which could give gamers some options when shopping for components.
Whatever gamers do next, though, memory pricing is likely to be a problem for some time.
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About Our Expert
Jon Martindale
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Jon Martindale is a tech journalist from the UK, with 20 years of experience covering all manner of PC components and associated gadgets. He’s written for a range of publications, including ExtremeTech, Digital Trends, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and Lifewire, among others. When not writing, he’s a big board gamer and reader, with a particular habit of speed-reading through long manga sagas.
Jon covers the latest PC components, as well as how-to guides on everything from how to take a screenshot to how to set up your cryptocurrency wallet. He particularly enjoys the battles between the top tech giants in CPUs and GPUs, and tries his best not to take sides.
Jon’s gaming PC is built around the iconic 7950X3D CPU, with a 7900XTX backing it up. That’s all the power he needs to play lightweight indie and casual games, as well as more demanding sim titles like Kerbal Space Program. He uses a pair of Jabra Active 8 earbuds and a SteelSeries Arctis Pro wireless headset, and types all day on a Logitech G915 mechanical keyboard.
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