If you recall a few months back, when the virtual Consumer Electronics Show (CES 20201) was held, one of the big announcements was the launch of AMD’s new 5000 series mobile processors. Well now it’s your PC’s turn. The AMD 5000 series desktop processors are now available at Best Buy. Perfect timing if you’ve decided to build your own PC, or upgrade you existing computer. Here’s what you need to know about AMD’s powerful new, next-generation desktop processors.
AMD Ryzen 5000 series with 7nm Zen 3 architecture
Ryzen 5000 series processors are designed using AMD’s advanced Zen 3 architecture, and built using a 7nm process. The density allowed by the 7nm process means AMD can pack far more processing power into a smaller space: more cores, increased power efficiency (24% improvement over previous generation CPUs), access to more cache, and better overall performance. It’s worth noting that while Zen 3 continues AMD’s leverage of multiple cores, the Ryzen 5000 series also delivers a big improvement in single-core performance.
The new CPUs also support a wide range of technologies that will ensure your PC delivers on the performance front, including:
- PCIe 4.0
- Precision Boost Overdrive
- Precision Boost 2
- Smart Access Memory support (when paired with compatible motherboards and GPUs)
- AMD StoreMI compatible
- Ryzen Master Utility-compatible for overclocking
A range of Ryzen 5000 series processors are now available, offering a compelling option for every application. The Ryzen 5 5600X delivers performance in an affordable package, with six cores and a 3.7GHz clock speed. At the top of the 5000 series pyramid is the Ryzen 9 5950X, with 16 cores, 32 threads, 72MB of cache, and a 3.4GHz clock speed (boost-able to up to 4.9GHz).
Gamers take note
One of AMD’s primary goals with the Ryzen 5000 series was to deliver a superior gaming experience. You can see that in various design elements. In particular, cores can access twice as much cache memory as before and cache latency is reduced. There is a 19% increase in instructions per cycle—the largest boost since the original Zen architecture was introduced. These improvements have a huge effect on gaming performance.
AMD says you can expect an average 26% increase in gaming performance over previous generation chips. You can you can see the difference in this chart provided by AMD comparing a new Ryzen 9 5900X processor compared to a Ryzen 9 3900XT CPU.
Why your PC will benefit from a new Ryzen 5000 series processor
The processor is the “brain” of your computer. The more powerful the processor, the faster and more responsive your PC will be. Everyone benefits from snappier performance, but this is especially important for gamers, creators, and those who use their computer for processor-intensive tasks. If you are building a new PC, or your current PC is starting to feel underwhelming in its performance, a new Ryzen 5000 series processor may be the right choice. Check out the guide to CPUs by Chris Loblaw for details, including the importance of matching a processor to the motherboard.
AMD Ryzen 500 series processors are available now
If a new computer processor is in your future, you now have more compelling choices than ever. The AMD Ryzen 5000 series is available now at Best Buy.
