In a move that defies industry norms, AMD has launched new AM4 CPUs in 2025, breathing fresh life into a platform that debuted nearly a decade ago. The standout release is the Ryzen 5 5500X3D, a budget-friendly gaming chip featuring 3D V-Cache, and the newly revealed Ryzen 5 5600F, a stripped-down Zen 3 processor aimed at entry-level builds.
Ryzen 5 5500X3D: Budget Gaming with 3D V-Cache
- Architecture: Zen 3
- Cores/Threads: 6C/12T
- Base/Boost Clock: 3.6 GHz / 4.0 GHz
- Cache: 96MB L3 (thanks to 3D V-Cache)
- TDP: 105W
- Price: ~$130 USD
This chip delivers exceptional gaming performance at 1080p, rivaling more expensive AM5 CPUs in cache-sensitive titles like Starfield and Cyberpunk 2077. As shown in AM4 Lives: AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D CPU Review & Benchmarks, the 5500X3D punches well above its weight in gaming workloads, making it one of the best value CPUs of the year.
Ryzen 5 5600F: A No-Frills Zen 3 Workhorse
- Architecture: Zen 3
- Cores/Threads: 6C/12T
- Base/Boost Clock: 3.0 GHz / 4.0 GHz
- Cache: 32MB L3
- TDP: 65W
- Price: ~$90 USD
The 5600F is essentially a lower-clocked version of the popular Ryzen 5 5600, with no integrated graphics. It’s ideal for budget builds paired with a discrete GPU. As covered in Have the Folks at AMD Lost Their Minds? | New AM4 CPU …, this release underscores AMD’s commitment to socket longevity and affordability.
Why AM4 Still Matters in 2025
- Platform Longevity: AM4 motherboards from 2017 still support these new chips.
- DDR4 Support: Cheaper RAM and wide compatibility.
- Budget Builds: Ideal for gamers who want solid performance without upgrading to AM5.
AM4 in 2025: Still a Smart Choice… Maybe breaks down why AM4 remains a viable option, especially for 1080p gaming and budget-conscious users.
Competitive Landscape
As highlighted in AMD Just Now RELEASED a Gaming CPU No One Expected!, AMD’s surprise launch of the 5500X3D shows how the company is leveraging its cache technology to extend the life of older platforms. Meanwhile, 2025 CPU Launches – NVIDIA CPUs, New Ryzen X3D & More! puts this in context with broader CPU trends, including AM5 and NVIDIA’s entry into desktop CPUs.
For gamers looking to upgrade without breaking the bank, Best AMD Gaming CPUs to Upgrade To in 2025! (And What to … offers a tiered breakdown of AM4 vs AM5 performance, helping users decide whether to stick with legacy or jump to next-gen.