If you're still using an AM4 CPU, upgrading to AM5 feels like the next logical step, especially now that the platform has matured and offers some of the best CPUs available, particularly for gaming. AMD's long-term socket support makes the move seem even more sensible if you're thinking ahead. I've been on AM4 since 2020, and even though the Ryzen 5000-series CPUs were the last major upgrade for the socket, my PC has aged very well over the years, thanks to my 5800X3D.

At this point, most of you would probably argue that I'm better off upgrading to a faster AM5 CPU, especially given that I'm running an RTX 4090. Sure, that would help me get rid of CPU bottlenecks and give me access to much faster DDR5 memory. But that's the problem. Moving to AM5 isn't just about chasing peak performance. Right now, it means paying a premium for an entire platform at a time when DDR5 pricing is still inflated, and the real-world gains don't always justify the cost.

DDR5 RAM is way too expensive right now

DDR5 kits cost 4–5 times as much as they did a year ago

The biggest reason I'm not upgrading to AM5 this year is DDR5 pricing. In the last few months, prices have absolutely skyrocketed, but it's not because gamers are suddenly buying more memory. This time, that pressure is from AI data centers and enterprise demand. DRAM manufacturers are prioritizing higher-margin products, and Micron's exit from the consumer market makes that obvious. The result is a DDR5 market that's priced for enterprise demand, not for gamers looking to make a sensible platform upgrade.

So if I want to upgrade to AM5, I'd need to spend at least $1,200, and most of the cost isn't the CPU or motherboard, but the RAM. That's the part that fundamentally breaks the upgrade for me. Just a year ago, I could get a DDR5-6000 kit for under $100. And even when it was affordable, I used to say the performance difference over DDR4-3600 was barely even noticeable in the real world. Paying 4–5 times more now for memory that barely changes how games actually feel makes AM5 an easy pass for me.

My 5800X3D doesn't really bottleneck my RTX 4090

At least not in a way I can actually feel while gaming at 1440p and 4K

When I first got the RTX 4090, I had the Ryzen 9 5900X. Unfortunately, that CPU was severely limiting my GPU at 1440p, especially in competitive titles like Valorant and Counter-Strike 2. The GPU usage was far from optimal, and 1% lows were all over the place despite high average FPS. That's why I immediately switched to the 5800X3D when my CPU died all of a sudden. GPU usage significantly improved across the board and 1% lows became far more consistent, which made fast-paced games feel smoother and more responsive.

Sure, you could argue that my 5800X3D still bottlenecks my 4090 to an extent at 1440p, but you need to keep in mind that when this card launched in 2022, it was one of the best CPUs available for gaming. The 7800X3D didn't arrive until April 2023. At 1440p, my GPU usage is high enough to make performance stable and consistent, and when I game on my 4K monitor, the 4090 is doing most of the work, anyway. Of course, a 9800X3D would improve my numbers, but as long as I don't upgrade my GPU, there's no real reason to ditch my 5800X3D.

Future-proofing is fine, but timing matters

At this point, waiting for AMD's Zen 6 CPUs makes more sense

I have no problem getting an AM5 motherboard and future-proofing my build, but right now is probably the worst time to upgrade. AMD launched its Zen 5 CPUs in late 2024, so if I get a 9800X3D right now, it'll feel outdated within a year when Zen 6 CPUs come out. That’s not a great position to be in when a full platform upgrade carries a premium due to sky-high DDR5 prices. Buying near the end of a generation means paying full price for hardware that's about to be replaced, which undercuts the whole point of future-proofing in the first place.

And considering I decided to skip the RTX 5090, I have to weigh what a CPU upgrade would actually change right now. My GPU performance has been the same for the last three years, and I've been happy with it. The gains from upgrading to a 9800X3D alone wouldn't make a day-and-night difference in my gaming experience. But if I wait until next year, I could get a more meaningful upgrade across the board. Newer GPUs may also be on the horizon, and there's a chance DDR5 prices look far more reasonable by then.

AM5 makes sense, just not at today's DDR5 prices

Skipping AM5 right now is more about avoiding bad timing than rejecting the platform itself. Of course, I'd love to upgrade, but the value proposition just isn't there right now, especially given how out of touch DDR5 prices are. Sure, if I had a weaker CPU that severely bottlenecks my PC, I'd bite the bullet and make the jump. But I'm more than satisfied with my PC's gaming performance, even if I know I'm not getting the best possible performance out of my 4090. Until the prices come down, a new CPU drops, or I decide to upgrade my GPU, I'm fine sticking with AM4.