Processors that launched half a decade ago are finding their way back to the top of sales rankings. Rather than nostalgia, the surge is being driven by rising RAM costs that are changing how buyers build their PCs.
Five years after release, the Ryzen 7 5800X is topping Amazon UK’s CPU sales chart, while the updated 5800XT ranks fourth on Amazon US. It’s a strong reminder that AMD’s older AM4 platform still makes sense, especially for buyers trying to avoid today’s high memory prices.
Chipmakers are diverting most DRAM and NAND output to fast-growing AI data centers, leaving limited supply for consumers. The fallout has been sharp price increases for PC components, with industry leaders warning that costs could climb further in 2026, a concern reinforced by Micron’s recent withdrawal from the consumer RAM market. The shortage has become so severe that memory modules are now a common target for shipping scams, and analysts expect constraints to last into 2027.
The situation is especially challenging for users planning a new PC build. AMD’s latest AM5 platform, which includes high-performance processors such as the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, requires DDR5 memory, significantly increasing overall system costs.
For the millions already running AM4 systems, older Ryzen 5000 processors offer the most sensible upgrade path. They provide a substantial performance uplift without requiring a new motherboard, a new power supply, or the added expense of DDR5 memory.
This has led to a noticeable divide in the used and discontinued market. While the 5800X and 5800XT typically sell for around $250, the 5800X3D carries a much higher price. As the first AM4 processor with 3D V-Cache, it and similar models like the 5700X3D are no longer in production. Limited availability has pushed secondhand prices to $500 or higher, with some listings nearing $800.
Interest has also spread to more affordable models. The Ryzen 5 5600XT ranks fifth in the UK, while the Ryzen 5 3600, released in 2019, remains seventh in the US. Despite its age, the $74 processor can still deliver 86 FPS in Battlefield 6 on high settings, making it a strong option for budget-focused gamers.
AMD says rising memory prices will nudge Radeon GPU costs higher, but Ryzen CPUs aren’t getting more expensive, at least for now. With DDR5 builds still painfully pricey, it’s no surprise that AM4’s best CPUs are sticking around longer than anyone expected.
Maybe you would like other interesting articles?