AMD Ryzen 5 3500X vs AMD Ryzen 5 1600X - Better CPU for Gaming?

I'm looking at getting a new gaming PC and am wondering if the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X is better for gaming than the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X. Anyone have any thoughts?

I've been using the 1600X for a while now, it's worked great! It's not too shabby for gaming either. AMD Ryzen 5 3500X vs. AMD Ryzen 5 1600X gives a nice comparison.

Thanks for sharing that link, @GTSportsman! I've read some good things about the Ryzen 5 3500X. Its higher single-core max boost frequency and support for PCIe 4.0 could make a difference in gaming performance.

I'd also consider the L3 cache size when choosing between these two CPUs. The Ryzen 5 3500X has a larger L3 cache (32 MB) compared to the Ryzen 5 1600X's 16 MB.

That's interesting, @DragonWang! So both the single-core max boost frequency and the L3 cache size could be factors in choosing between these two CPUs for gaming?

Yes, @octobereleven. It's not just about one factor; it's usually a combination of things that make a CPU better for gaming. Both the 3500X and 1600X have their strengths.

I've been using a Ryzen 7 3800X for a while now, and I must say, it has been a fantastic CPU for gaming! The performance difference between the 3500X and the 1600X might not be as significant if you have a good GPU to complement them.

Good point, @tatsuo1475. So the choice comes down to my budget, I guess?

That's true, @octobereleven. It all depends on your budget and how much performance you need for gaming. The link @GTSportsman shared can help clarify things a bit more.