AM4 vs AM5: The Best Pick in 2024

After the incredible success of the AM4 platform and its vast range of supported CPUs, choosing your next upgrade path is tougher than ever. Do you stick with the tried-and-true AM4 and its enticing affordability, or embrace the future potential of AM5?

In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each platform to help you make the perfect decision for your build.

Pros and Cons of AM4

Pros:

AM4 has been around for several years now, and this long-standing success brings several advantages:

• Established Platform: With AM4 being on the market for a while, there’s an abundance of motherboards to choose from, catering to various budgets and needs. This variety ensures you can find a board that fits your requirements.
• Cost-Effectiveness: For those already on the AM4 platform, upgrading is wallet-friendly. Opting for a CPU upgrade, such as moving to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, can provide high-end performance without overhauling your entire system.
• Performance: AM4 still packs a serious punch for gaming and productivity. Ryzen 5000 series like the Ryzen 7 5800X3D aren’t left in the dust by any means.
• Huge Upgrade Pool: If you already own an AM4 system, your upgrade path is wide open with numerous CPU options across multiple generations, unless you have one of the top tier Ryzen 5000 CPUs.

Cons:

Unfortunately, despite its tremendous success and wide adoption, the AM4 platform isn’t without its drawbacks, especially when looking toward the future. Here’s why the once-celebrated platform may not hold the same appeal moving forward:

• No New CPU Support: The AM4 platform has reached its zenith in terms of processor upgrades. AMD’s future CPUs will pivot to the newer AM5 platform, leaving AM4 without access to next-generation processors. This limitation caps the platform’s performance potential and future upgradeability.
• DDR4 Memory Support Only: While DDR4 RAM has been the standard for years, the industry is shifting towards DDR5, with its higher speeds and efficiency. AM4’s inability to support DDR5 memory means users will miss out on these advancements.
• Lack of PCIe 5.0: While PCIe 4.0 is plenty fast for current GPUs and SSDs, future high-end components will leverage AM5’s PCIe 5.0 for even greater performance potential.

Pros and Cons of AM5

Pros:

Now, let’s move to AMD’s new platform and the advantages it brings to the table:

• Future-Proofing: AMD has announced that the AM5 platform will be supported at least until 2025. This means not only the current Ryzen 7000 processors but likely at least one, if not two, more CPU generations – giving your system incredible upgrade potential.
• Performance: Ryzen 7000 series CPUs, like the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, offer phenomenal gaming performance.
• Modern Features: DDR5 memory support, along with other modern features like PCI Express 5.0 and better USB and M.2 support, make AM5 a more forward-looking choice. This ensures compatibility with leading-edge components long into the future.

Cons:

At the time of writing this article, the primary drawbacks of AM5 are:

• Higher Initial Cost: While the cost of DDR5 RAM has become more reasonable compared to its initial launch, AM5 motherboards still carry a price premium compared to their AM4 counterparts.
• Early Adopter Issues: While much improved from launch, many people still experience some system issues such as long boot times and the inability to enable EXPO profiles without running into problems.

Related article: AMD AM5 vs Intel LGA 1700

Which Platform is Right for You?

Choosing between AM4 and AM5 depends largely on your current setup and budget. If you’re already using AM4 and have a tight budget, sticking to AM4 and upgrading to something like a Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a great choice. It’ll boost your performance significantly for a few more years without the hefty price tag that comes from upgrading your whole system.

However, if you’re starting fresh or switching from Intel, I highly recommend you go with the AM5. Yes, it costs more upfront than AM4, but it’s ultimately a better long-term investment.

You’ll only need to upgrade the CPU down the line, plus you’ll get the benefit of PCIe 5.0 for future GPUs, which is like getting extra performance for free.

While indeed some users have reported issues with AM5, please note that not everyone is experiencing these issues. Besides, these problems are likely to be resolved in the future.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this breakdown has made your AM4 vs. AM5 decision a little easier. Feel free to drop a comment below – I’d love to hear whether you’re sticking with AM4 or embracing the future with AM5, and the reasons behind your choice!