AMD has dominated the CPU market with its Ryzen processors for the past few years. The Ryzen 9 series is the top-of-the-line CPU series from AMD, and the 3900X was the flagship model until the 5900X replaced it. Both processors are powerful and offer excellent performance, but which is suitable for your needs?
Choosing the right processor can be a daunting task, especially when you have so many options to choose from. The 3900X and 5900X are great CPUs, while they differ in a few factors.
About AMD Ryzen 9 3900x
The AMD Ryzen 9 3900x was introduced in 2019 and immediately became popular among gamers and workstation users. This CPU consists of 12 cores and 24 threads, having a base clock speed of 3.8 GHz and a peak clock speed of 4.6 GHz. The Zen 2 architecture underpins the 3900x, fabricated on a 7nm technology. It also features a 70MB cache, making it one of the market’s most powerful CPUs.
The 3900x is compatible with the AM4 socket and has a TDP of 105W. It supports PCIe 4.0, which provides faster data transfer rates, and has a maximum memory speed of 3200 MHz. The processor also supports AMD’s Precision Boost 2 technology, automatically adjusting the clock speed based on workload and temperature.
In terms of performance, the 3900x is a powerhouse. Thanks to its high core and thread count, it excels in multi-threaded tasks such as video editing and rendering. It also performs well in gaming, although there may be better options for gamers who prioritize high frame rates over everything else.
About AMD Ryzen 9 5900x
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900x was released in 2020 and is the latest addition to the Ryzen series. The processor boasts 12 cores and 24 threads, having a 3.7 GHz base clock speed and a boost clock speed of 4.8 GHz. The 5900x is built on the Zen 3 architecture and manufactured using a 7nm process. It also has a 70MB cache, similar to the 3900x.
The 5900x is compatible with the AM4 socket and has a TDP of 105W. It supports PCIe 4.0, just like the 3900x, and has a maximum memory speed of 3200 MHz. The processor also supports AMD’s Precision Boost 2 technology, automatically adjusting the clock speed based on workload and temperature.
Regarding performance, the 5900x is a significant improvement over the 3900x. It outperforms its predecessor in single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks, making it an excellent choice for gamers and workstation users. The 5900x also has better power efficiency than the 3900x, thanks to the improvements in the Zen 3 architecture.
Comparison Between AMD Ryzen 9 3900x Vs AMD Ryzen 9 5900x
1. IPC Upliftment
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900x has a 19% upliftment in instructions per clock (IPC) compared to the Ryzen 9 3900x. This means the 5900x can perform more tasks per clock cycle, resulting in faster processing times and better performance.
2. Power Consumption
The Ryzen 9 5900x has a lower TDP (thermal design power) of 105 watts than the Ryzen 9 3900x’s 125 watts. This means the 5900x consumes less power, resulting in lower electricity bills and better thermal efficiency.
3. Pricing and Availability
The Ryzen 9 5900x is newer and more expensive than the Ryzen 9 3900x. The 5900x retails for around $550, while the 3900x can be found for around $400. However, the availability of the 5900x may be limited due to high demand.
4. Thermal Efficiency
The Ryzen 9 5900x has better thermal efficiency than the Ryzen 9 3900x due to its lower TDP. It also has a higher boost clock speed, which can result in better performance when under load.
Gaming Performance of AMD Ryzen 9 3900x Vs AMD Ryzen 9 5900x
1. Testing Rig
Before diving into the gaming performance comparison between the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, it’s important to note that both CPUs were tested on the same rig. The testing rig included an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card, an ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero Wi-Fi motherboard and a 32GB of DDR4 RAM
2. Battlefield V
Regarding gaming performance, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X outperforms its predecessor in almost every game tested. In Battlefield V, the Ryzen 9 5900X provided an average of 222.2 FPS, while the Ryzen 9 3900X provided an average of 196.1 FPS.
3. Video Output
Both CPUs could output video at a resolution of 3840×2160 (4K) with no issues. However, the Ryzen 9 5900X did provide slightly smoother video playback in some games.
4. Grand Theft Auto V
In Grand Theft Auto V, the Ryzen 9 5900X again outperformed the Ryzen 9 3900X. The Ryzen 9 5900X provided an average of 147.4 FPS, while the Ryzen 9 3900X provided an average of 123.8 FPS.
5. Watch Dogs Legion
Watch Dogs Legion is a more demanding game, but the Ryzen 9 5900X still performs better than the Ryzen 9 3900X. The Ryzen 9 5900X provided an average of 103.3 FPS, while the Ryzen 9 3900X provided an average of 90.2 FPS.
6. Cyberpunk 2077 v1.31
Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the popular games on the market, but both CPUs could still provide playable performance at 4K resolution. The Ryzen 9 5900X provided an average of 50.3 FPS, while the Ryzen 9 3900X provided an average of 43.8 FPS.
7. Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Finally, in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the Ryzen 9 5900X again outperformed the Ryzen 9 3900X. The Ryzen 9 5900X provided an average of 142.8 FPS, while the Ryzen 9 3900X provided an average of 123.2 FPS.
Is an Upgrade Necessary?
Whether or not an upgrade to the Ryzen 9 5900x is necessary depends on your needs. If you are a content creator, gamer, or power user demanding the best possible performance, then the 5900x is worth considering. Its improved IPC and faster clock speeds make it the fastest CPU on the market.
However, if you are a casual user who only uses your computer for basic tasks like web browsing and office work, then the Ryzen 9 3900x is still a great choice. It offers excellent performance at a more affordable price point.
Conclusion
The Ryzen 9 5900x is a significant improvement over the Ryzen 9 3900x in terms of performance, but it comes at a higher price point. Whether or not an upgrade is necessary depends on your specific needs and budget. If you require the best possible performance, then the 5900x is worth considering. However, the 3900x is still an excellent choice if you are a casual user.
