What is the best budget AMD CPU for a streaming setup?

Question

I’ve been saving up for months to finally start my twitch channel and i’m about ready to pull the trigger on a new build but the cpu part is stressing me out lol. I'm mainly gonna be playing stuff like Stardew or maybe some League but I really want to try streaming more demanding games like Overwatch 2 or even some newer shooters without my frame rate tanking the second I hit go live. My old laptop just doesnt cut it anymore and it sounds like a jet engine when I try to open more than two things at once.

I did some digging online and saw a lot of people recommending the Ryzen 5 5600 because it's super cheap right now especially since i live near a Microcenter here in Ohio. But then i read a few forums where people were arguing that 6 cores just isnt enough for streaming anymore if you're using software encoding and that I should definitely step up to the 5700X for the extra 2 cores. But then there's the whole AM4 vs AM5 debate... some guys are saying its a waste of money to buy an "old" platform now and I should just get a 7600 which is more expensive and requires that pricey DDR5 ram which I really cant afford right now since my cap for the chip is $180 max. I'm trying to get this all sorted by the end of the month so I can start streaming over my winter break.

I just want something that works well without breaking the bank or making me upgrade again in six months. If I go with the 5600 will I regret it when I try to run OBS and a few chrome tabs and Discord all at once? Or is the 5700X actually worth the extra cash for a beginner streamer who isn't trying to do 4K or anything crazy like that... just want a smooth 1080p stream for my friends to watch without it being a laggy mess...

rzelfdnngg · Accepted Answer

> I just want something that works well without breaking the bank or making me upgrade again in six months. In my experience over the years, cutting corners on core count for a streaming setup usually leads to headaches later on. I've tried many budget builds, and while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 6-Core 12-Thread Processor is an absolute legend for gaming, it can start to sweat once you've got OBS encoding, Discord, and a dozen Chrome tabs running in the background. Since you're lucky enough to be near a Microcenter, you should definitely grab the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X 8-Core 16-Thread Processor. It usually sits right around $160-$170 there, which fits your $180 cap perfectly. Those two extra cores aren't just for 4K or anything crazy, they're basically an insurance policy for your 1080p stream so your frame rates dont dip during a team fight in Overwatch. Dont worry too much about the dead platform talk regarding AM4. Honestly, if you're on a tight budget, the savings on G.Skill Ripjaws V 16GB DDR4-3200 RAM and a cheap motherboard will let you put more money toward a better GPU later. AM4 is still very capable for a beginner streamer. You'll be fine with this setup for a couple years at least, especially for League and Stardew. If you need help picking out a cooler that fits that budget too, let me know. Good luck with the new channel... it's a grind but you're gonna have a blast.

ylgtyullwg · Answer

^ This. Also, unfortunately, those non-X3D chips aren't as good as expected for encoding. I had issues with frame drops in Overwatch 2 on basic 5000 series parts... kinda disappointing. Grab the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D 8-Core 16-Thread Desktop Processor instead.

Massive L3 cache stops stuttering

Better multitasking for OBS

Stays within your budget Going lower is just gonna leave you wanting more in six months tho.

kuwwygiwew · Answer

Just caught this, go for the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X 8-Core 16-Thread Processor.Extra cores handle OBS flawlesslyStays under your $180 limit Super happy with the multitasking, honestly.