NEVER BUY These 6 CPUs in 2025!

This video advises viewers on which processors to avoid for building a cost-effective computer, highlighting six specific models. It delves into the technical aspects of X3D processors, explaining how their large L3 cache benefits specific CPU-intensive games, but cautions that their advantage diminishes at higher resolutions or when integrated with less powerful GPUs. The speaker criticizes the 7800 X3D for its high price, older technology with weak rendering performance, and higher temperatures compared to newer alternatives like the 9700X.

Other processors deemed unnecessary or disappointing include the i5 14400F due to its similarity to the 13400F, the 7900 X3D and 7950X3D for their multi-CCD architecture leading to communication issues and performance drops, and the i3 series (12100F, 13100F, 14100F) for their insufficient cores and threads, lower cache, and increasing heat issues with newer generations. The Core Ultra series is also dismissed for removing hyperthreading, leading to reduced performance and an obsolete socket design.

Conversely, the video recommends several processors for their value, including the Ryzen 5 3600 and 5500 for budget builds, noting the 3600's superior cache and PCIe 4.0 support. The i5 13400F is praised for its 10 cores and 16 threads, competing well with Ryzen counterparts. The Ryzen 5 7500F and 7600 are lauded for their price-to-performance on the AM5 platform, with the 7500F being the best value. The Ryzen 5 5600 is called the "GOAT" for AM4 builds due to its excellent price-to-performance and efficiency with stock coolers. Finally, the i7 13700 is highlighted as a powerful upgrade, and the Ryzen 7 9700X is presented as the top AM5 choice, offering a strong balance of production and gaming performance with easy adjustments to rival the 7800 X3D.

• The video identifies six processors to avoid when building a computer to save money.
• X3D processors excel in specific CPU-intensive gaming scenarios but are less effective for general gaming, higher resolutions, or rendering tasks.
• Several processors are deemed unnecessary or disappointing due to architectural flaws, poor performance relative to price, or obsolete technology.
• Recommended budget-friendly processors include the Ryzen 5 3600 and 5500 for AM4, and the i5 13400F and Ryzen 5 7500F for newer platforms.
• The Ryzen 5 5600 is highlighted as the best value for AM4, while the Ryzen 7 9700X is the top recommended AM5 processor for its balanced performance and price.

Related Video Summary

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Understanding X3D Processors and Their Limitations [00:39]

• X3D processors feature a high amount of L3 cache, which significantly boosts gaming performance.
• This advantage is most noticeable in CPU-intensive games like Counterstrike and Valorant.
• The benefit of the X3D cache is clearer when paired with a powerful GPU (e.g., RTX 5080) at 1080p resolution.
• As resolution increases (e.g., to 4K), the load shifts to the GPU, diminishing the CPU's role, leading to similar performance between X3D and non-X3D processors.
• X3D processors are not recommended for rendering performance.
• For high-end AAA gaming at 1440p or higher, budget might be better allocated to other components.

The core takeaway is that X3D processors are best suited for esports titles or high-end gaming at lower resolutions with powerful GPUs, and they are not ideal for rendering tasks.

X3D processors have a very high amount of L3 cache. This provides increased gaming performance, but you need to play games that really strain the processor.

Why the 7800 X3D is Not Recommended [02:07]

• The 7800 X3D's price is often comparable to newer processors like the 9700X and 9800 X3D, making it less sensible.
• Its rendering performance is weak due to its architecture, limiting it primarily to gaming.
• The 9700X and 9800 X3D offer more balanced gaming and rendering performance due to architectural improvements.
• The 7800 X3D runs hotter during gaming compared to the 9700X and 9800 X3D, despite the latter drawing more power for better rendering.
• The 9700X, with minor adjustments, can outperform the 7800 X3D in some gaming scenarios and has notably better rendering performance, all while being approximately $100 cheaper.

The 7800 X3D is not recommended due to its high price relative to its capabilities, weak rendering performance, and the availability of more balanced and cost-effective alternatives like the 9700X.

The rendering performance of X3D processors before the 9000 series is really weak due to their architecture. They can only be used as a gaming processor, and I definitely do not recommend them for rendering work.

Unnecessary and Underperforming Processors [04:33]

• The Core i5 14400F is deemed unnecessary as it offers virtually the same performance as the i5 13400F but runs hotter.
• The Ryzen 9 7900 X3D and 7950X3D, despite their gaming prowess, suffer from communication issues between their multiple core complex dies (CCDs), leading to stability problems and performance drops, making them disappointing.
• In contrast, the Ryzen 7 7800 X3D has only one CCD, contributing to its better gaming performance compared to the 7950 X3D.
• The i3 series processors (12100F, 13100F, 14100F) are criticized for their insufficient four cores and eight threads, lower cache size compared to competitors like the Ryzen 5 5500, and the 14th generation running unnecessarily hot.
• The Core Ultra series is heavily criticized for removing hyperthreading, which significantly reduces thread count and overall performance, and for its quickly obsolete LGA1851 socket that will not support future processors.

These processors are advised against due to being redundant, suffering from architectural limitations, or offering poor performance relative to their cost and newer alternatives.

The i3 processors perform better only in programs that rely on single core performance. Looking at the general picture, the i3 12100F is weaker than the Ryzen 5 5500 in most scenarios.

Core i7 14700 and Intel Core Ultra Series Issues [07:59]

• The Core i7 14700 is considered unnecessary, with the 13700 offering comparable performance and efficiency.
• It is prone to failure due to drawing excessive power, a problem also present but less common in the 13700.
• The Core Ultra series (initially intended as 15th gen) is labeled as "terrible" primarily due to the complete removal of hyperthreading, resulting in reduced total thread count and worse performance than previous generations.
• The LGA1851 socket used by Core Ultra processors will be replaced by the LGA1954 socket for the next generation (Nova Lake), rendering motherboards purchased for this socket obsolete after just one generation.

The i7 14700 is not recommended due to its unnecessary nature and potential power issues, while the Core Ultra series is deemed a poor choice for its performance limitations and rapidly outdated platform.

I can't even imagine how those who spent a fortune on their motherboards feel.

Recommended Budget Processors: Ryzen 5 3600 and 5500 [10:08]

• The Ryzen 5 3600 and 5500 are recommended for budget builds, offering serviceable performance for entry-level PCs.
• While performance is often similar, the Ryzen 5 5500 lacks PCI Express 4.0 support (only supporting PCIe 3.0) and has a smaller L3 cache (16MB) compared to the Ryzen 5 3600 (32MB L3 cache and PCIe 4.0 support).
• Despite being technically older, the Ryzen 5 3600 can sometimes outperform the 5500, especially in esports titles like Valorant and Counterstrike 2, due to its larger cache and PCIe 4.0 support.
• The Ryzen 5 5500 is described as a cut-down version of the 5600 with some disadvantages compared to the 3600.
• The choice between the two should be based on price, as long as PCIe version and cache size are not critical dealbreakers.

These processors are good for budget builds, with the Ryzen 5 3600 offering some advantages in features like PCIe 4.0 and cache size over the newer Ryzen 5 5500.

While it's technically older, the 3600 can sometimes outperform the 5500. You can think of the Ryzen 5 5500 as a cut down Ryzen 5 5600, but these cuts create some disadvantages compared to the 3600.

Mid-Range and Value Recommendations: i5 13400F, Ryzen 5 7500F/7600, Ryzen 5 5600 [11:57]

• The Core i5 13400F competes well with the Ryzen 5 7500F and 7600, offering 10 cores and 16 threads, and benefits from the LGA 1700 socket's support for DDR4 or DDR5 RAM.
• The Ryzen 5 7500F is highlighted as the best price-to-performance processor on the AM5 platform, with performance comparable to the 5800 X3D in some scenarios.
• The Ryzen 5 7600 is very similar to the 7500F but includes integrated graphics.
• Both the 7500F and 7600 generally do not perform well with stock coolers; a 120mm tower air cooler with four heat pipes is recommended.
• The Ryzen 5 5600 is considered the "GOAT" for AM4 builds, offering the best price-to-performance ratio and performing well even with its stock fan, unlike the 5600X which requires a better cooler.

These processors offer strong performance for their respective price points, with the 7500F and 5600 standing out for value in their platforms.

The 7500F is the best price-to-performance processor of the AM5 platform. Thanks to its advanced architecture, it can perform similarly to the 5800 X3D in some cases.

High-Performance Recommendations: i7 13700 and Ryzen 7 9700X [14:41]

• The Core i7 13700 is an "absolute monster" with more cores and a larger cache than the 12700, offering gaming performance that can rival the 12900K and is head-to-head with the Ryzen 9 7900X.
• Like other 13th and 14th generation Intel processors, managing temperatures is crucial for the i7 13700.
• The Ryzen 7 9700X is considered the most deserving of its price and a favorite AM5 processor, offering improved production performance and high core count.
• With simple adjustments, the 9700X can achieve gaming performance close to the 7800 X3D, making the 7800 X3D redundant except for a slight edge in esports titles.
• The 9700X addresses the drawbacks of the 7800 X3D, offering a more balanced and compelling package.

The i7 13700 and Ryzen 7 9700X are presented as top-tier processors offering excellent performance for demanding tasks, with the 9700X being particularly recommended for its value and versatility.

The i7 13700 is an absolute monster. It comes with more cores and a bigger cache compared to the 12700. Its gaming performance can leave even the 12900 K behind.