Ryzen 7 5700X3D vs Ryzen 5 5500
Too close to call. At 1440p there is only about 2% between them — buy whichever is cheaper.
The gap changes with resolution.
CPU differences shrink as resolution rises — at 4K the graphics card does most of the work.
| Resolution | Ryzen 7 5700X3D | Ryzen 5 5500 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 67 | 67 | 0% |
| 1440p | 66 | 65 | +2% |
| 4K | 64 | 63 | +2% |
In a real build with a RTX 3080.
Specs alone don’t tell you which to buy. Here is what each one does when it’s actually paired up, at 1440p.
Ryzen 7 5700X3D + RTX 3080
0% CPU-bound
The processor is the limit here and leaves frames on the table.
Full verdict for this pairing →Ryzen 5 5500 + RTX 3080
1% CPU-bound
The processor is the limit here and leaves frames on the table.
Full verdict for this pairing →| Game (1440p, paired with the RTX 3080) | Ryzen 7 5700X3D | Ryzen 5 5500 |
|---|---|---|
| League of Legends | 287 fps | 285 fps |
| Counter-Strike 2 | 245 fps | 243 fps |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 124 fps | 124 fps |
| Elden Ring | 103 fps | 103 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 78 fps | 78 fps |
| Starfield | 78 fps | 77 fps |
Modelled from benchmark data, not measured for every pairing. Our published error rate is 21.6% mean absolute error.
So which should you buy?
Whichever is cheaper on the day. There is roughly 2% between them at 1440p, which you will not notice in a game.
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Common questions.
Straight answers on the Ryzen 7 5700X3D versus the Ryzen 5 5500.
Is the Ryzen 7 5700X3D better than the Ryzen 5 5500?
They are close enough to call a tie. At 1440p the Ryzen 7 5700X3D scores 66 on our index against 65 for the Ryzen 5 5500 — a gap of about 2%, which is inside the margin where you would not feel a difference while gaming. Buy whichever is cheaper or easier to find.
Does the Ryzen 7 5700X3D or Ryzen 5 5500 bottleneck a RTX 3080?
Paired with a RTX 3080 at 1440p, the Ryzen 7 5700X3D build comes out 0% CPU-bound, and the Ryzen 5 5500 build comes out 1% CPU-bound. Being GPU-bound is the healthy outcome — it means the graphics card is the part working hardest.
Is it worth upgrading from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 7 5700X3D?
No. A 2% index gap will not be visible in games, and the money is better spent on the other side of the build — usually the GPU.
Which is better value, the Ryzen 7 5700X3D or the Ryzen 5 5500?
On performance per dollar at MSRP, the Ryzen 5 5500 wins. The Ryzen 7 5700X3D lists at $249 for an index of 66, and the Ryzen 5 5500 at $159 for 65.
Check either one against your build.
Pick a CPU and its counterpart, and get a verdict at all three resolutions in under 30 seconds.