Looking to upgrade your PC or build a new gaming rig? How do you decide between two similar CPUs? That decision might be easier said than done because each CPU has its pros and cons. Which processor should you get?
The two AMD CPUs on the list- Ryzen 9 3900X and Ryzen 7 5800X are only two of the incredible models the company has delivered throughout the years.
These two CPUs appear pretty different in use cases but are both flagship models in one’s respective generations and series.
Each year, AMD delivers newer and improved CPUs, but how does the premium Ryzen 7 from the latest era of AMD CPUs compare to the leading Ryzen 9 from a few years ago?
So, how do you choose the best CPU without spending too much? Let’s dive deep into the specifications and see which CPU is worth your investment.
Comparison based on several factors
Features
To better understand the components themselves and make an accurate estimate of how they will compare to one another, it is crucial to specify the on-paper specs of each while contrasting elements of any sort.
The number of cores, cache capacity, and boost speed are a few examples of CPU specs.
Ryzen 9 3900x
The second-best CPU in the 3rd generation of AMD Ryzen CPUs is the Ryzen 9 3900X. Additionally, it marked the debut of Ryzen 9 CPUs.
It was released on July 7, 2019, with an enormous cache, more threads, and more cores than ever before. It’s not challenging to locate a reasonable price on this CPU because it’s a bit old than the 5900X.
Ryzon 7 5800x
The best Ryzen 7 CPU currently on the market is the Ryxen 7 5800X. This CPU, which debuted on November 5, 2020, destroyed the competition, especially its immediate predecessor, the Ryzen 7 3800X.
It’s not unusual to get a decent deal on this CPU now that the Zen 4 release is proper around the bend.
Which one has a more core count?
There are more cores in the Ryzen 9 3900X than in the Ryzen 7 5800X. A CPU with more cores would be more adept at multitasking out of the gate than one with fewer cores.
The CPU has many more physical processors managing the data it gets if it has more cores.
It’s crucial to remember that not all software applications allow multicore use; however, most programs created after about 2010 will.
While certain games are still developed nowadays with single-core efficiency, having multiple cores is typically preferable.
Which one has more thread count?
The thread count of the 3900X is higher than the 5800X. Whether a CPU core is multithreaded is determined by the number of threads, and in this instance, both CPUs enable SMT, i.e., simultaneous multi-threading.
Again, more threads are preferable to fewer, much as CPU cores. Your CPU will perform better at multitasking and be able to process more commands once the extra multithreaded cores it has.
If you’re a content producer, strive for the stars in terms of cores and thread count since a higher amount of both is ideal for apps that entail encoding or rendering.
Which one has a higher cache?
To support more threads and cores, the 3900X includes a bigger cache. To allow rapid access rates, the cache is installed near the CPU cores and essentially acts as an expansion of your computer’s memory.
The CPU of today has three layers of cache. If you look back a few years, you can still find references to the L4 cache, but they are no longer valid.
The numerical order of cache access speeds is one is the quickest, and 3 is the slowest.
When it comes to size, it goes from highest capacity—three—to smallest—one—in reverse order. More cache is beneficial since it enables the CPU to retain more frequently used data.
Which has a faster core speed?
With a rated speed of 3.9GHz and a peak speed of 4.7GHz, the 5800X has the highest base and boost clock speeds. The base and boost frequencies of 3900X are 3.8GHz and 4.6GHz, respectively.
The number of instruction phases a CPU can complete in a second is known as core speed. These instruction cycles’ three steps are fetched, decoded, and executed.
The effectiveness and speed of these three operations fundamentally determine how effectively your PC works.
Having a faster clock speed is preferable since everyone wants each CPU to run as many more cycles each second as feasible.
This is strongly related to CPU performance, although it does not necessarily imply that one CPU is superior to another.
Which CPU offers more value for money?
When compared to 3900X, the AMD 5800X is much less costly. Currently, 3900X costs over $550, while the 5800X has a peak price of about $350.
That’s a sizable disparity, and it seems that 3900X would perform better given its higher number of cores and threads.
Which one has a higher TDP?
The TDP of both the CPUs is the same. The maximum heat energy a component may produce under manufacturer-specified operating circumstances is known as TDP or thermal design power.
Typically, we would advise a lower TDP because the PC would benefit more from it, but this isn’t always the case. Higher TDP CPUs are often either more potent or less effective.
The 5900x is undoubtedly more powerful per core yet continues to be effective enough to preserve the same TDP as the 3900X, which has a higher TDP since it has many cores to power.
The Concluding Thought
We like the somewhat more potent AMD 5800X because it has fewer cores but is built on a more sophisticated architecture that, in most cases, gives greater single-core and per-thread multicore performance.
Even though the 3900X is a viable option, the 5800X is a fantastic decision. The 3900X is the CPU for you if you intend to continuously operate a workstation that can utilize all 12 of its cores.
