AMD Ryzen 5 1600X and 1500X CPU Review
Overview
Hardware: CPU & MotherboardsWHAT WE LIKED:
Excellent Price, Great Performance, Quality Design, AMD is Really Back!WHAT WE DISLIKED:
NoneDiscuss in the Forum
Conclusion
This has been a fun review. I didn’t expect dramatic changes from my run with Ryzen 7, but I was looking for little changes that would help me see where I believe Ryzen is headed. Remember when I mentioned something about how long it’s been since we’ve had a new architecture? I’m talking about a completely, from the ground up, new design that has been released to the public. It’s probably been about 6 years since this has happened, with Bulldozer in 2011! Even the Core series of CPUs from Intel started with the Nehalem microarchitecture back in 2007!!! Kaby Lake is a 7th generation of CPUs that was started with the Core i7 900 series. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a completely fresh CPU hit the market and in that train of thought, it comes as no surprise that software is going to take some time adjusting to it.
This is why seeing the results of Kraken and WoW are very intriguing to me. Sure, these aren’t astronomically huge results, but it indicates that the software landscape will adjust to Ryzen. It’s also good news if AMD continues improving these CPUs with future generations. Even then, WinRAR showed that it’s possible for software to transcend the typical multi versus single-thread split we usually see in CPU performance. I would think the first year will be a time of software optimization, at which point the landscape will really settle into a clear picture of where competition sits. It feels like the process has already begun and I believe Ryzen owners are going to be incredibly happy with their purchases.
That said, let’s not ignore the fact that both the 1500X and 1600X are incredible performers. AMD’s flagship quadcore is a mere $190, which is incredible considering that it isn’t too far behind a 7700K. However, it’s the 1600X that truly steals the spotlight. AAA gaming pretty unanimously benefits from multiple cores, but it seems like anything past 6 starts feeling the diminishing returns quick. Don’t get me wrong. I understand that while I may only have one test that strongly represents single-thread performance, I know the vast array of competitive and indie games that represents. The reality though, is in order to benefit from 200+ FPS, you need a monitor that just about breaks the bank. In my opinion, the 1600X gives you the best of both gaming worlds, with a $250 price tag that is absolutely impossible to ignore.
Ultimately, while I want to share the big picture that is in my mind with you, I don’t feel like I have to make any excuses for these chips. They are incredible for the amount of performance and variety in tasks they bring in one incredibly affordable package. At this point, it’s obvious that AMD’s Ryzen 1600X and 1500X deserve the Pureoverclock Editor’s Choice Award. As far as “going out on a limb” is concerned though, I’d say the 1600X is the Best All Around CPU you can buy right now!
About the Author
AMD’s really stepped up their game in the past few years. You used to get made fun of for using anything but Intel, but that’s not the case anymore
Well, I proved it. I can say that it was a pretty fantastic experience. This review has a lot of good points regarding this product!