AMD Ryzen 5 1500X (4C8T) CPU Review

1. Ryzen 5 1500X: Introduction & Overclocking2. Ryzen 5 1500X Overclocking3. Testing Methodology4. CPU Tests 1: Cinebench, Handbrake, x265 Encoding5. CPU Tests 2: 7-Zip, Kraken, WPrime6. CPU & Memory Tests: SiSoft Sandra7. Gaming Tests 1: FutureMark8. Gaming Tests 2: GTA V, Metro LL, Witcher 3 (DX11)9. Gaming Tests 3: Ashes, GoW4, ROTTR, Total War (DX12)10. 4K Gaming Tests: GoW4, GTA V, Witcher 311. 1440P Gaming With A GTX 107012. Technical: Power & Temperatures (inc. Wraith Spire)13. Closing Thoughts14. View All Pages

Feedback on our Ryzen 7 reviews highlighted that many users are interested in the performance comparisons between CPUs when partnered with a sensible graphics solution for the given price point. 1440P resolution testing was also shown to be in strong demand.

We have taken that feedback on board and have added test data for the Ryzen 5 and Core i5 Kaby Lake CPUs running with a GTX 1070 8GB Founder's Edition graphics card and a 1440P gaming resolution. We feel that the GTX 1070 currently hits a strong sweet-spot for graphics performance and cost to many Ryzen 5 buyers and also 1440P gamers.

The testing was conducted with the CPUs overclocked to their highest levels (4.0GHz for the Ryzen 5 1600X, 3.9GHz for the Ryzen 5 1500X, 4.9GHz for the i5-7600K, and stock 3.0-3.5GHz for the locked i5-7400) in order to show how a user can squeeze out 1440P gaming performance from their CPU.

Gears of War 4

We run the built-in benchmark using a 2560×1440 resolution and the same settings as the 1080p and 4K tests that can be found on other pages (Ultra quality preset, Async Compute enabled).

Game version 9.8.0.2 used for current testing (earlier version used for previous testing).

Grand Theft Auto V

We run the built-in benchmark using a 2560×1440 resolution and the same settings as the 1080p and 4K tests that can be found on other pages (generally Maximum quality settings including Advanced Graphics). VRAM usage at 1440P, according to the built-in GTA V counter, is 3514MB.

The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt

We run our custom 107-second benchmark in a densely-populated town area using a 2560×1440 resolution and the same settings as the 1080p and 4K tests that can be found on other pages (Maximum quality, Nvidia settings disabled).

1440P gaming performance with a GTX 1070 is still stronger on the Core i5-7400 than on Ryzen 5 1500X in Gears of War 4 and GTA V. The performance deficits for Ryzen 5’s quad-core part are small but they are also measurable.

The Witcher 3, by contrast, does not seem to mind which CPU it uses to power the GTX 1070 and a 1440P resolution.

Become a Patron!

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here