AMD’s AM4 socket has been round 5 years now, and what a run it’s had. Since its launch alongside first-generation Ryzen CPUs, this socket has been a mainstay, with unprecedented help from Team Red that permits use of first-gen motherboards with current processors.
AM4 will quickly cede center stage to AM5 later this 12 months, however not everybody will need PCIe 5.0 or wish to shell out for costly DDR5 reminiscence. That means Ryzen 5000 chips—the ultimate batch of AM4 processors—might show to be a way more cost-effective improve for individuals who need higher efficiency.
That makes the current launch of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, AMD’s first CPU to boast its spectacular new 3D V-Cache technology, a very tantalizing prospect. So when our pattern crossed our desks, we determined to reply the query that many individuals would have. We cracked open our outdated Ryzen 7 1800X construct, pulled the newer 3800X and 5800X off the shelf, and put them face to face with the 5800X3D, all to see simply how a lot this new chip improves upon its predecessors—and to see how far AMD’s venerable AM4 has come since Ryzen’s early days.
How we examined
Adam Patrick Murray / IDG
For our benchmarks, we repurposed and upgraded this Ryzen 7 1800X build from 2018. Its components checklist is as follows:
- CPU Cooler: Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB
- Motherboard: Asus ROG Crosshair VI Extreme X370
- RAM: Corsair Dominator DDR4/3600 CL16 (2 x 16GB)
- SSD: Corsair MP600 Pro XT PCIe 4.0 SSD
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 Founders Edition (driver ver. 512.15)
- PSU: Corsair RM750i 750W 80+ Gold
- Case: Cooler Master H500P White Mesh
- OS: Windows 10 21H2
The Asus X370 motherboard was up to date to BIOS 8503 (Agesa v2 PI 1206), with PCIe Resizable BAR (a.ok.a AMD’s Smart Access Memory) turned on. Core Performance Boost was on for the Ryzen 7 1800X, and Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) was left on Auto for the 3800X, 5800X, and 5800X3D. The Cooler Master AIO cooler had its followers and pump set to 100 p.c. Memory was clocked right down to DDR4/2933 CL20 for full compatibility throughout all CPU generations. Windows 10 used the Best Performance energy mode, with VBS and GPU {hardware} accelerated scheduling turned off. No encryption was enabled.
Our CPU line-up encompassed the Ryzen 7 1800X, 3800X, 5800X, and 5800X3D. Second-generation Ryzen chips weren’t included because of an absence of comparable half (AMD by no means produced a Ryzen 7 2800X) and a comparatively delicate distinction between first- and second-gen Ryzen. We used the identical construct for all benchmarks, swapping the CPUs out and in of the motherboard to compile our set of benchmark outcomes.
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Performance outcomes
As made clear when the Ryzen 7 5800X3D’s evaluations printed in late April, this processor has a transparent, singularly defining function—gaming. (Not up to the mark on the main points? Here are 5 things you need to know about 5800X3D.) Compared to the usual Ryzen 7 5800X and modern Intel rivals just like the Core i7-12700Ok and Core i9-12900Ok, it has a tangible influence at 1080p. It additionally presents smoother efficiency at increased resolutions like 1440p and 4K, with increased body charges when trying on the worst one p.c of efficiency (aka one-percent lows). However, The Ryzen 7 5800X3D can also be weaker in productiveness and content material creation benchmarks due to clock speeds, that are barely decrease than the non-3D model.
That’s when speaking about its modern rivals, although—the usual 5800X and Intel’s Core i7-12700Ok and Core i9-12900Ok. For these benchmarks, we’re inspecting the enhance to efficiency you get in comparison with a Ryzen 7 1800X or 3800X, as a result of it makes extra sense to think about the 5800X3D as an improve chip, reasonably than the go-to for a brand new construct.
And as you’ll see, ditching an older Ryzen CPU can lead to mammoth efficiency features, and never simply in gaming.
Production
Longer bars point out higher efficiency (apart from Blender, which is the alternative). You can click on and drag every slide together with your mouse (or swipe) to navigate between slides.
We’ll begin with the production-oriented benchmarks, that are the 5800X3D’s weak spot in comparison with modern rivals—together with its sibling, the usual 5800X. Just as in different 5800X3D evaluations, this chip trailed behind the 5800X and its quicker clock speeds in our rendering, video enhancing, and picture enhancing benchmarks.
But the slugfest between at present’s chips isn’t the story we’re after right here. Instead, we’re taking a look at how a lot efficiency you acquire for those who’ve received an older Ryzen chip. The reply is fairly a dang lot for those who’re a Ryzen 7 1800X proprietor. In check after check, you’re taking a look at sizable double-digit features—between 29 and 60 p.c for rendering, 27 p.c in Premiere Pro, 50 p.c for Photoshop and Lightroom.
For 3800X homeowners, an improve to the 5800X3D presents extra modest features—the most important will increase high out across the 15 p.c mark. That’s not dangerous, however for most individuals who give attention to this sort of use, not sufficient to compel a change. A unique, extra inexpensive Ryzen 5000 collection chip will probably be a greater choice.
Office productiveness
Longer bars point out higher efficiency in Procyon 2.0. For the Excel eSports spreadsheet, it’s the alternative. You can click on and drag every slide together with your mouse (or swipe) to navigate between slides.
Most individuals don’t assume a lot about efficiency in apps like Microsoft Word, however your processor could make a distinction when creating slideshows, enhancing paperwork, or replying to e-mail. And that’s what the aggregated scores for Procyon Office revealed. This benchmark, which measures efficiency in Word, Excel, PowerLevel, and Outlook, confirmed a whopping 57 p.c enchancment stepping up from an 1800X to a 5800X3D.
That stated, those that push Excel to the max gained’t see as a lot of a acquire, as proven within the benchmark created for us by Excel eSports competitor Jason Moore. But the 5800X3D was by no means the correct chip for that form of core-hungry work—as simply seen above within the manufacturing benchmark outcomes. Also just like the manufacturing benchmarks, going from a 3800X to a 5800X3D presents a much more modest enhance in efficiency. Procyon Office posts an 15 p.c uptick in its aggregated rating.
Would you improve a chip solely for Microsoft Office? Possibly, however the $450 5800X3D wouldn’t be the only option for that. But these outcomes actually contribute to enhancing the chip’s enchantment.
Web looking
Longer bars point out higher efficiency. You can click on and drag every slide together with your mouse (or swipe) to navigate between slides.
Speaking of benchmarks that additional the 5800X3D’s enchantment—net looking benchmarks aren’t the numbers that flip heads, however this sort of laptop use is the sensible stuff nobody talks about however impacts everybody. You’re going to make use of your PC to browse the online for at the least some portion of your day.
Upgrading from an 1800X to a 5800X3D will make your time spent in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox all however sing. The leads to Speedometer, Jetstream, and WebXPRT 4 present efficiency will increase starting from about 50 to 60 p.c. Switching from a 3800X to a 5800X3D isn’t as dramatic, with features between 13 and 22 p.c.
Again, you gained’t be shopping for this chip to surf the online (effectively, maybe you’re, however most of us aren’t rolling in that form of dough). But it’s good to see that regardless of the decrease efficiency in manufacturing duties, the 5800X3D presents tangible advantages in different, extra widespread forms of PC use.
Gaming
Longer bars point out higher efficiency. More outcomes could be discovered beneath. You can click on and drag every slide together with your mouse (or swipe) to navigate between slides.
You most likely already guessed—the 5800X3D slays the 1800X in gaming, too. But the older 3800X sees extra sizable features on this space as effectively.
When trying on the common of the 17 video games we benchmarked, the 5800X3D presents a staggering 72 p.c efficiency enhance in comparison with the 1800X at 1080p. For the 3800X, you’ll see a 38 p.c bump. This final result isn’t a complete shock for those who’ve already learn up on the 5800X3D—it clearly has an edge in gaming, even when pitted in opposition to contemporaries. (Note the way it outdoes the usual 5800X by 9 p.c in these 17 video games.)
You don’t lose this uptick instantly as you scale up in decision, too. At 1440p, the 5800X3D nonetheless notably improved on the 1800X. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, it was a 40 p.c acquire, whereas in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege it was 101 p.c. For the 3800X, it was 15 p.c for Shadow of the Tomb Raider and practically 40 p.c for Rainbow Six Siege.
Longer bars point out higher efficiency. You can click on and drag every slide together with your mouse (or swipe) to navigate between slides.
Once you grow to be GPU sure, the 1800X does start to carry its personal in some video games. Moving as much as a 5800X3D at 4K decision is a mere two p.c enchancment in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. (For the 3800X, it’s a scant one p.c.)
But as you may inform from the dialogue of particular person benchmarks, outcomes can range, and wildly at that. Switching from an 1800X to a 5800X3D in Metro Exodus at 1080p solely nets a comparatively delicate enchancment of 13 p.c. But in Rainbow Six Siege at 4K? 26 p.c.
So whereas changing an 1800X with a 5800X3D will supercharge your 1080p gaming on common, players who play only a few video games (or the identical sport often) ought to take note of particular person benchmark outcomes. That’s particularly so for those who play extra usually at increased resolutions.
Power draw
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We’ll take a fast have a look at energy draw earlier than wrapping up these benchmark outcomes. This data is essential for those who care about how a lot electrical energy your system consumes and/or warmth generated. The former issues for those who reside someplace with costly charges, and the latter is related for those who reside in a heat local weather or have a PC case with restricted cooling.
For this check, we ran Cinebench R23 on its default setting, which is a 10 minute loop of the render. Of the chips in our lineup, the 5800X3D and 3800X drew a bit much less energy than the 1800X, which nonetheless got here in beneath the 5800X’s calls for. The 5800X3D did have just a few extra spikes than the 3800X within the single-core benchmark, however not many total.
Final ideas
Willis Lai / IDG
As we simply noticed, Ryzen 5000 smokes first-generation Zen. It posts an honest enhance over Zen 2 as effectively. But the 5800X3D doesn’t settle the query of whether or not or to not improve on AM4. In truth, it really complicates issues a bit of extra.
The Ryzen 7 1800X could seem pathetic based mostly on a number of the benchmark outcomes above, but it surely nonetheless faithfully serves in various PCs, together with the one nonetheless utilized by PCWorld’s very personal Brad Chacos. Most homeowners have solely been interested in an improve—not determined. They’ve questioned about switching to Intel, ready for Ryzen 7000, and if they’ve a suitable motherboard, going with a Ryzen 5000 chip.
The 5800X3D and its $450 price ticket provides another fork to the Ryzen 5000 choice tree, reasonably than being an answer that overwrites the present 5600X, 5800X, and 5900X. You have to essentially take into consideration your funds and the way you employ your PC. Performance isn’t the difficulty. Rather, if the purpose of dropping in a brand new AM4 CPU into your system is to spice up efficiency whereas saving money, one other Ryzen 5000 chip might provide extra bang to your buck. A 5600X ($200 road worth) might make extra sense for a 4K gamer, whereas a 5900X ($390 road worth) presents extra firepower for content material creators.
Gordon Mah Ung / IDG
That stated, selecting the 5800X3D continues to be cheaper than changing your processor, motherboard, and probably additionally reminiscence—as you’d must do with an improve involving an Intel processor or Ryzen 7000. Moreover, the truth that you even have these granular selections is unbelievable. AM4 has lasted 4 CPU generations with full backward compatibility. Meanwhile, the competitors can’t at all times be relied upon to final two generations. To go from a Ryzen 7 1800X and its early democratization of core depend to a Ryzen 7 5800X3D and its face-melting efficiency in video games is an easy CPU alternative. That’s it. You don’t must swap something instantly, both—you’ll most likely be capable of snag the 5800X3D for much less as soon as Ryzen 7000 launches later this 12 months. PC constructing was not like this earlier than.
Speaking of Ryzen 7000, AM5 will probably be round for some time, too. During a CES 2022 interview, AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su stated that as with AM4, we must always anticipate AM5 to be a long-lived platform as effectively. No actual variety of years got, however with the precedent set, right here’s to hoping for a continued legacy of beneficiant help.