AMD first debuted its Zen 3 CPU structure almost six years in the past, and whereas Zen 5 stays its newest technology for flagship desktop chips, there’s nonetheless life but within the older platform. A brand new product web page not too long ago appeared on the AMD web site for a model new chip known as the Ryzen 5 5500F. Constructed on the ageing AM4 socket, the brand new CPU pairs with DDR4 RAM, which might typically work out cheaper than the equal capability of DDR5 reminiscence amid the reminiscence pricing increase.
On paper, the Ryzen 5 5500F seems similar to the Ryzen 5 5500, launched again in 2022, with each chips sharing a six-core, 12-thread configuration. The newer 5500F has a decrease base clock pace of three GHz in comparison with the 5500’s 3.6 GHz, however makes up for it with the next most enhance clock of 4.4 GHz versus 4.2 GHz. Crucially, the 5500F can be differentiated with PCIe 4.0 help in comparison with the 5500’s PCIe 3.0 restrict, which means improved GPU bandwidth and help for quicker PCIe 4.0 solid-state drives.
The product web page quietly appeared on AMD’s web site earlier this month, and on the time it was unclear whether or not the chip can be bought as a boxed retail unit or be restricted strictly to OEM builds. That is now cleared up, with AMD confirming US retail pricing of solely $99 for the brand new processor. That is a really low value for 2026, and mixed with its reliance on good previous DDR4, it may kind the premise of an ultra-budget gaming PC construct – particularly for anybody with spare DDR4 reminiscence already sitting in a drawer.
In fact, in contrast to the most recent flagship CPUs, it will not be completely as much as the duty of demanding power-user workloads. However, it ought to nonetheless be an awesome companion for a cash-strapped gamer, with the chip nonetheless exceeding the minimal processor necessities for many new video games.
