Buying Guide: Which AMD Processor To Get For Your System
UPDATED FOR 2025
Last Updated: 15th December 2025
AMD has been making waves in the CPU market with their Ryzen processors, offering excellent performance across gaming, content creation, and productivity tasks. Whether you're building a new PC or upgrading your current system, choosing the right AMD processor can be overwhelming with so many options available.
This guide will help you navigate AMD's current processor lineup and find the perfect CPU for your needs and budget.
Understanding AMD's Processor Lineup
AMD's current consumer processors fall into several categories:
- Ryzen 9000 Series - Latest generation (Zen 5 architecture)
- Ryzen 7000 Series - Previous generation (Zen 4 architecture)
- Ryzen 5000 Series - Older generation (Zen 3 architecture) - still excellent value
Best AMD Processors by Use Case
Budget Gaming Build (£100-£150)
Recommended: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
For budget-conscious gamers, the 5600X is a proven 6-core processor that delivers excellent 1080p gaming performance. Built on the AM4 platform, it's perfect for those looking to build or upgrade an affordable gaming system with DDR4 memory.
This processor offers incredible value for money, handling modern games with ease while keeping costs down. It's also a great upgrade path for existing AM4 motherboard owners.
Was: £149.00 | Now: £139.00 SAVE £10
AM4 Performance Option (£150-£250)
Recommended: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
If you already have an AM4 motherboard or want to build on the proven AM4 platform, the 5800X is an excellent 8-core processor that delivers strong gaming and productivity performance at a great price.
This processor is perfect for upgrading existing AM4 systems or building a cost-effective system with DDR4 memory. It handles gaming, streaming, and multitasking with ease.
Now: £169.00
Best Gaming CPU (£350-£450)
Recommended: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
The 7800X3D features AMD's revolutionary 3D V-Cache technology, delivering exceptional gaming performance. It's one of the best gaming CPUs on the market, offering incredible frame rates while also handling streaming and content creation.
With its massive cache, this processor delivers higher frame rates in gaming than even more expensive alternatives. It's the sweet spot for serious gamers who want top-tier performance.
Was: £449.99 | Now: £389.99 SAVE £60
Ultimate Gaming Performance (£450-£550)
Recommended: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
The newest and most powerful gaming processor from AMD, the 9800X3D combines the latest Zen 5 architecture with 3D V-Cache technology. This is the absolute best gaming CPU available, delivering unmatched performance in the latest titles.
With improved thermals and higher clock speeds than the 7800X3D, this processor is perfect for enthusiasts who want the ultimate gaming experience and future-proof performance.
Was: £669.00 | Now: £449.00 SAVE £220
High-End Gaming & Content Creation (£400-£600)
Recommended: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
This 12-core processor excels at both gaming and heavy multithreaded workloads like video editing, 3D rendering, and software development. The 9900X offers the latest Zen 5 architecture with improved efficiency.
If you're a content creator who also games, or a developer who needs serious multitasking power, this processor won't let you down. It handles everything from compiling code to rendering 4K video while still delivering excellent gaming performance.
Was: £549.99 | Now: £449.99 SAVE £100
Extreme Performance & Workstation (£600+)
Recommended: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
The ultimate flagship processor, the 9950X3D combines 16 cores with AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. This is the most powerful gaming and productivity processor available, perfect for professionals who demand the absolute best performance.
Whether you're running virtual machines, compiling massive codebases, rendering complex 3D scenes, or gaming at the highest settings, the 9950X3D handles it all with ease. It's the pinnacle of AMD's processor lineup and the ultimate choice for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Was: £899.99 | Now: £749.99 SAVE £150
Key Considerations When Choosing
- Socket Compatibility: Ryzen 7000/9000 use AM5, Ryzen 5000 uses AM4
- Cooling Requirements: Higher-end processors need better cooling solutions
- Memory Support: AM5 requires DDR5, AM4 uses DDR4
- Integrated Graphics: Look for models with 'G' suffix if you need integrated graphics
- 3D V-Cache: X3D models offer exceptional gaming performance thanks to extra cache
Our Top Picks Summary
| Platform | Processor | Cores/Threads | Base Speed | Max Speed | Use Case | Price Range | Browse |
| AM4 | Ryzen 5 5600X | 6C/12T | 3.7 GHz | 4.6 GHz | Budget Gaming | £100-£150 | View → |
| AM4 | Ryzen 7 5800X | 8C/16T | 3.8 GHz | 4.7 GHz | AM4 Performance | £150-£250 | View → |
| AM5 | Ryzen 7 7800X3D | 8C/16T | 4.2 GHz | 5.0 GHz | Best Gaming | £350-£450 | View → |
| AM5 | Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 8C/16T | 4.7 GHz | 5.2 GHz | Ultimate Gaming | £450-£550 | View → |
| AM5 | Ryzen 9 9900X | 12C/24T | 4.4 GHz | 5.6 GHz | Gaming + Creation | £400-£600 | View → |
| AM5 | Ryzen 9 9950X3D | 16C/32T | 4.3 GHz | 5.7 GHz | Extreme Performance | £600+ | View → |
Conclusion
Choosing the right AMD processor doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you're building a budget gaming rig, upgrading an existing AM4 system, or creating a professional workstation, AMD's Ryzen lineup has something for everyone.
For gamers on a budget, the Ryzen 5 5600X or Ryzen 7 5800X offer incredible value on the AM4 platform. If gaming performance is your top priority, you can't go wrong with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D or the cutting-edge Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Content creators and professionals will appreciate the multithreaded power of the Ryzen 9 9900X and the flagship Ryzen 9 9950X3D.
Remember to consider your motherboard platform (AM4 vs AM5), memory requirements (DDR4 vs DDR5), and cooling solution when making your decision. All of these processors represent excellent value in their respective categories and will serve you well for years to come.
Need help choosing? Contact our team for personalized recommendations!