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AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D

AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D: A Hybrid of Affordability and Gaming Power

April 2025

Key Features: Architecture and Main Characteristics

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is a fresh solution for gamers and enthusiasts looking to get the most out of the aging AM4 platform. Despite AMD's transition to AM5 and DDR5, the 5500X3D remains relevant due to its unique 3D V-Cache technology.

Architecture and Process Technology

- Codename: Vermeer (Zen 3).

- Process Technology: 7 nm (optimized version for reduced heat output).

- Cores/Threads: 6/12.

- Frequencies: 3.0 GHz (base), up to 4.0 GHz in turbo mode.

- Cache: 96 MB L3 (of which 64 MB is 3D-stacked).

- TDP: 105 W.

Key Features

- 3D V-Cache: The increased L3 cache of up to 96 MB significantly speeds up performance in games and applications with high volumes of random data.

- AM4 Compatibility: An inexpensive upgrade for owners of older systems.

- Energy Efficiency: Despite a TDP of 105 W, the processor efficiently handles loads thanks to the optimized 7nm process.

Performance

In games such as Cyberpunk 2077 or Starfield, the 5500X3D shows a performance increase of up to 15-20% compared to the Ryzen 5 5600X, thanks to its cache. In multi-threaded tasks (rendering in Blender, streaming), it falls short of 8-core models, but it delivers respectable results for its price.

Compatible Motherboards

The Ryzen 5 5500X3D uses the AM4 socket, allowing it to be installed on motherboards with B550, X570, and even B450 chipsets (after BIOS update).

Choosing Recommendations

- B550: Optimal choice (for example, MSI B550 Tomahawk, $120–150). Supports PCIe 4.0 and memory overclocking up to 4000+ MHz.

- X570: For enthusiasts (ASUS ROG Strix X570-E, $200–250). Offers better VRM cooling and more ports.

- B450: Budget option (ASRock B450 Steel Legend, $80–100). Requires a BIOS update, but suitable for basic builds.

Features

- No support for PCIe 5.0 — a limitation of the AM4 platform.

- To activate full RAM frequency, check the motherboard's QVL.

Supported Memory

The processor works only with DDR4.

Recommendations

- Optimal Frequency: 3600 MHz (for example, Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB, $50–60).

- Timings: CL16 or lower to minimize latency.

- Volume: 16 GB is the minimum for gaming, 32 GB for work tasks.

Important: X3D chips are less sensitive to memory speed due to the large cache, so RAM overclocking won't result in significant gains.

Power Supply: Calculation and Recommendations

With a TDP of 105 W and using a discrete graphics card (e.g., NVIDIA RTX 4060 or AMD RX 7600 XT), the minimum power supply wattage is 550 W.

Tips

- Budget Builds: EVGA 600 BR (600 W, $60) — a reliable choice for non-overclocked systems.

- Powerful GPUs: If using an RTX 4070 Ti or higher, choose power supplies rated at 750 W (Corsair RM750x, $110).

- Certification: 80+ Bronze or higher.

Pros and Cons of Ryzen 5 5500X3D

Pros

- Outstanding gaming performance thanks to 3D V-Cache.

- Low entry cost (the processor is priced at $240–270, motherboards from $80).

- Supports PCIe 4.0 on B550/X570 chipsets.

Cons

- No support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0.

- Maximum frequency is limited to 4.0 GHz — falls behind the Ryzen 5 7600 in work tasks.

- High heat output under load (requires a good cooler).

Use Cases

1. Gaming: Ideal for Full HD and 1440p. In Elden Ring or Call of Duty: Warzone, it achieves stable 100+ FPS.

2. Work Tasks: Suitable for video editing in DaVinci Resolve, working in Photoshop, but not for heavy 3D rendering.

3. Multimedia: Streaming via OBS with NVENC or AMD Encoder does not critically burden the CPU.

Comparison with Competitors

- AMD Ryzen 5 7600 (AM5): Faster in multi-threaded tasks (+25%), but more expensive (processor — $300, DDR5 + motherboard — +$150).

- Intel Core i5-13400F: Comparable in games but lags in multi-threading. Price — $220.

- AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D: Best choice for AM4 (8 cores, $320), but overkill for most gaming scenarios.

Conclusion: The 5500X3D excels against competitors in the budget AM4 segment due to its cache.

Practical Assembly Tips

1. Cooling: Use a tower cooler with heat pipes (DeepCool AK620, $60).

2. Case: Minimum of 2 fans for ventilation (Phanteks Eclipse P300, $70).

3. Graphics Card: Avoid pairing with GPUs above RTX 4070 — it will create a bottleneck.

4. Memory: 3600 MHz CL16 + dual-channel setup.

Final Conclusion: Who is Ryzen 5 5500X3D For?

This processor is an ideal choice for:

- AM4 Gamers looking to upgrade without changing the motherboard.

- Budget Builds focused on gaming rather than professional tasks.

- Streamers utilizing GPU encoding.

Why this one? For $240–270, you get gaming performance at the level of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D but at a lower cost. If you're not ready to move to AM5 and DDR5 — this is the best solution in 2025.

Prices are current as of April 2025. They are for new devices in retail stores in the USA.

Basic

Label Name

AMD

Platform

Desktop

Launch Date

September 2024

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

Ryzen 5 5500X3D

Code Name

Vermeer

Foundry

TSMC

Generation

Ryzen 5 (Zen 3 (Vermeer))

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Performance-core Base Frequency

3.0 GHz

Performance-core Max Turbo Frequency

Maximum P-core turbo frequency derived from Intel® Turbo Boost Technology.

4.0 GHz

L1 Cache

64 KB per core

L2 Cache

512 KB per core

L3 Cache

96 MB

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

AMD Socket AM4

Bus Frequency

100 MHz

Multiplier

Unlocked Multiplier

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

7 nm

TDP

105 W

PCIe Version

PCI Express is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard used for connecting high-speed components, replacing older standards such as AGP, PCI, and PCI-X. It has gone through multiple revisions and improvements since its initial release. PCIe 1.0 was first introduced in 2002, and in order to meet the growing demand for higher bandwidth, subsequent versions have been released over time.

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

DDR4-3200

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

51.2 GB/s

ECC Memory Support

Yes

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model

An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.

N/A