Five years ago, if you compared a 5-year-old CPU to then-generation parts, the gulf in performance would have been huge. Today, the same comparison looks completely different. As of 2020, CPUs may be considered old, but not obsolete. If you care more about gaming performance, then you still don’t need to upgrade an “aging” CPU.
The global RAM shortage in 2026 gave this comparison another interesting angle. Which exists because switching to a DDR5 build is easier said than done The DDR4 build deserves to last a few more years. Additionally, those building a new PC can save around $300 by switching to DDR4 without losing too much gaming performance.
I won’t mention chips like the Ryzen 7 5800X3D or Ryzen 7 5700X3D because they are often just as fast as current generation CPUs.
Ryzen 5 5600: Zen 3 champion
Only two generations
Perhaps the most popular Zen 3 chip after the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, The Ryzen 5 5600X represented amazing value when activated. For most of its life, it sold for $150-$200, a game chip to buy at that price. It was faster than Intel’s comparable 10th and 11th generation series CPUs, and slightly slower than the Core i5-12600K.
If you’re looking to build a more affordable gaming rig in 2026, I’d recommend the Ryzen 5 5600X or Ryzen 5 5600. Since the Ryzen 5 5600 sells new for under $150, there’s no need to delve into the pre-owned market. With a B550 motherboard, 32GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, and a modern mid-range GPU, you can build your entire rig with a Ryzen 5 7600X for $300 less than an AM5 rig.
The performance difference between the Ryzen 5 5600 and 7600X is real, but it remains to be seen in terms of cost savings. If your budget allows, you can invest the $300 savings in a more powerful GPU to get higher FPS overall. Otherwise, even with the same GPU, the AM4 unit is not a bad choice.
Ryzen 5 3600: Doesn’t feel that old
Even Zen 2 still has a performer standing
The Ryzen 5 3600 may be noticeably slower than the Ryzen 5 5600X, but for those who already own it, it doesn’t need an immediate upgrade. The tests will show you that even at 1440p the two chips are significantly different, but with a decent GPU the FPS difference isn’t night and day. The Ryzen 5 3600 can still push out more than playable frame rates in modern titles.
Of course, upgrading to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D will provide a significant boost, but you’re still looking at at least a $300 investment. If you mostly play competitive shooters, RTS titles, and platformers, the performance difference won’t matter to you. You can save money and continue to enjoy building, provided the GPU isn’t holding you back.
Core i5-12400F: Alder Lake is back
LGA 1700 value option
Given Intel’s recent track record, it can be easy to forget the company’s many excellent gaming chips over the past five years. Of these, the Core i5-12400F stands out for several reasons. It was an affordable Alder Lake chip that brought Intel’s updated hybrid architecture to many gamers. With Alder Lake, Intel responded to AMD after a long time and the 12400F went head-to-head with the Ryzen 5 5600X.
If you want to build a DDR4 unit in an LGA 1700 socket, a used Core i5-12400F for around $125 is an ideal choice. It delivers almost the same gaming experience as the Core i5-12600K. You can opt for the latter for better multi-core performance, but it costs about $75 more. If you’re on a tight budget and just need a capable gaming rig, the Core i5-12400F is a no-brainer. It also supports the DDR5 platform, but the extra performance isn’t worth the extra cost.
Core i7-10700K: Still a punch
This comet landed six years ago
Going further back, the Core i7-10700K came out in mid-2020 competing with AMD’s Ryzen 3000 series CPUs. It was faster than the Zen 2 chips, but after the Ryzen 5 5600X came out, the 10700K won, albeit by a small margin. If you’re still running on the Core i7-10700K, there’s no need to think about upgrading, as it can still deliver strong performance. 1440p game performance.
The10700K is also almost identical to the Core i9-10900K in gaming. With a relatively modern mid-range GPU, you don’t really need to upgrade. Even the Core i7-14700K (on a new motherboard) won’t feel like a drastic leap in many titles at high resolutions. So you can stick with the Core i7-10700K and invest in other parts of your build instead.
The GPU is still the biggest determinant of gaming performance
Gamers can stay on their CPU for longer as the GPU becomes the deciding factor at higher resolutions. By keeping the old CPU or spending less on it in a new build, you can reserve more of your budget for the graphics card. This will help you enjoy more FPS in most cases. The RAM crunch has delayed PC upgrades for many gamers and forced them to realize the longevity of their existing rigs.
