Best Ryzen APU for gaming – our picks for overall, balanced, and budget

The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X, equipped with the more advanced Zen architecture, Zen 4, is a powerhouse in the world of APUs. It boasts 8 cores and 16 threads, capable of reaching a base speed of 4.7 GHz and a remarkable boost speed of 5.6 GHz. Notably, the APU has an L3 cache of 64MB, but its thermal demands are somewhat hefty with a TDP of 170W.

Now, while this might seem like an overkill for average gamers, it’s a dream come true for professional gamers and streamers. The 7900X’s compatibility with the AM5 platform ensures support for both DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5, making it an ideal choice for users wanting a cutting-edge gaming experience, and on the whole one of the best AMD APUs.

However, no product is without its caveats. The 7900X does run hotter than many would like, a trend we’ve also seen with its counterpart, the 13900K. If you’re interested, you can read on here about the differences between the Ryzen 9 7900 vs the 7900X.

Dive into the Ryzen 5 5600G and what you get is a taste of the Zen 3 architecture at a fraction of the cost. The chip, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, offers excellent speeds. Its L3 cache ensures that tasks are handled quickly and smoothly, making gaming and multitasking a breeze.

If you’re someone just entering the PC gaming realm or someone upgrading from an older setup, this APU is a godsend, offering good performance at an attractive price point.

However, as with any product, there are trade-offs. The 5600G is excellent for budget gaming, but if you’re chasing ultra-high resolutions or the higher frame rate settings in AAA games, you might find it lacking. Despite that, it should still serve you steady frame rates in medium settings across many of your favorite titles.

Stepping into the 5000 series, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G stands as a testament to balanced performance. It carries the Zen 3 architecture, integrating 8 cores and 16 threads, all humming along at a comfortable base clock speed of 3.8GHz and boasting an impressive 4.6GHz boost capability. Paired with a sizable cache and an efficient 65W TDP equivalent to its predecessor, the Ryzen 4000G, this APU is built to handle demanding tasks and gaming sessions alike.

For the majority of users, this chip hits the sweet spot. It’s adept at handling demanding AAA games but also optimized enough to not break the bank.

The integrated graphics can handle many modern games at moderate settings, meaning you don’t necessarily need a dedicated GPU, especially if you’re a casual or mid-level gamer. Plus, if you’re into content creation or multitasking, the 5700G won’t let you down.

When you step into the world of the Ryzen 5 3400G, you’re met with AMD’s older, yet still very competent, Zen+ architecture. With 4 cores and 8 threads, it’s a performer that can handle daily tasks and gaming alike without a hiccup. Boost speeds, combined with a decent amount of L3 cache, position this APU as a smart choice for those who need reliability without the price tag of the newer generations.

Now, here’s the deal. If your work leans more towards productivity – say, graphics design or video editing – then the 3400G can be your trusty workhorse. The integrated Vega graphics perform admirably in such tasks, offering a smooth experience without necessitating a separate desktop GPU.

While the 3400G can tackle a variety of tasks, it’s essential to remember it’s not from AMD’s latest lineup. Thus, it doesn’t boast the highest performance metrics, but it’s a reliable choice for those prioritizing productivity and cost-efficiency. If you’re looking to upgrade on a budget, why not run through our picks of the best cheap gaming PCs, or the best budget GPU if this entry-level APU isn’t up to scratch for your system.