If you’re on the hunt for a modestly-priced but still very capable gaming CPU, this AMD Ryzen 5 9600X deal is a great option. Based on AMD’s latest Zen 5 architecture, and using its AM5 motherboard platform, it’s a speedy, power-efficient chip that’s a solid choice for gaming right now, but it can also easily be swapped out in the future for a more powerful AMD AM5 processor.
Everyone is rightly hyped right now about the arrival of the undisputed best gaming CPU in the world, which you can read all about in our AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D review, but that chip costs $479! Following a recent overall price drop, and thanks to today’s extra Newegg discount, the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X now costs less than half that price.
The Ryzen 5 9600X is a six-core CPU, so it’s a slight step down in core count from the 9800X3D. However, AMD’s CPUs support simultaneous multithreading (SMT), so those six cores can handle 12 application threads at a time. What’s more, in our tests, we’ve found that six cores are still more than enough for most gaming situations, and it’s still plenty for most general day-to-day desktop computing.
Those cores run at up to 5.4GHz, and have a base clock speed of 3.9GHz, which is slightly ahead of the 9800X3D’s clock speed. Notably, tests show this chip also does a good job of sustaining that 5.4GHz boost clock speed across multiple cores, whereas some chips quickly drop in clock speed as more than one or two cores are loaded up. What’s more, you can overclock this CPU, as its multiplier is unlocked.
Ultimate gaming performance isn’t the absolute quickest, as AMD’s chips really do come alive when they have the extra 3D V-Cache of its X3D processors. However, the 9600X is only around 8-10% slower than the very fastest CPUs available and that’s only when limiting yourself to low resolutions where the CPU tends to be the limiting factor. If you game at 1440p (with a decently powerful graphics card) you’ll be looking at around a 5% difference, and at 4K it’s around 1%, according to these figures.
All this and the 9600X sips power. It has a TDP of just 65W and ultimately uses far less power than most competing chips at this level of price and performance.
To grab this great choice for an entry-level AM5 gaming PC, just head on over to Newegg via this link and click that buy button then enter the code “BFDDYA56” at check out. That code will knock $15 off the final price, netting you this chip for its lowest price ever.
You can also use similar codes to get $15 off the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and AMD Ryzen 7 9700X but as they’re much more expensive chips, proportionally the saving isn’t nearly as significant.
If you need some guidance on which motherboard to pair with these processors, check out our best gaming motherboard guide. Or, if you’re all set for your internal components, why not find the best computer speakers to go with your new PC.