Question New PC for next 5-8yrs - AM5 7700 vs AM4 5700X ?

[alexb75]

I usually build a PC and use it until it dies, or it's obsolete. I am still on Core i7-4790K CPU from 2014, and just upgraded RAM and SSD and GPU during that period.

Now, it's time to build a new one, cool and quiet office PC. I am going to stick to 65W models, usage would be 50% office tasks, some coding/photoshop included, 30% gaming, and 20% video encoding (x264/x265). Would be re-using my case, PSU, GPU, SSDs... essentially would only need a motherboard/CPU/RAM.

Budget is $300-500, I could spend a bit more to get a better longer term solution, if it's really needed. For now, I think older AM4/5700X would meet all my needs, and cheaper RAM/Mobo. But, I am curious if it would be obsolete so soon, and if spending the extra $$ into AM5 is worth it? then getting a 7700, or 7900 be a more future proof option?! If I go cheaper route, extra cash could be spent in upgrading my GPU later (it's a GTX-1070).

PS. From performance perspective, essentially it looks like AM5 is 2 core faster, meaning 5700x is equivalent to 7600, and 7700 is equivalent to 5950x and so on.

 

[Eximo]

I think for longevity you should get AM5. The way AMD tends to treat their sockets you can look forward to being able to drop in at least two generations newer of a CPU in 3-4 years time, which would let you keep it that 8 years without falling too far behind.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($299.00 @ B&H)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650M D3HP Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL36 Memory ($92.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $501.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-02-15 16:14 EST-0500

 

[punkncat]

Title alone, get the 7xxx such that you have an update path at that time, if it remains viable. AM4 is done. AM5 still has the promise of possibilities.

 

[alexb75]

Thanks, I am also leaning towards AM5. So, then which CPU/mobo does the trick now?
I see 7900 is on sale for $369, is it worth it? or shallI go for 7700 and spend the extra elsewhere?

For Motherboard (ATX), I care mostly about more versatile option, with as much connectivity as possible (various types of USB, latest BT, min 2.5gbps ethernet) and to run cool for my quiet setup.

 

[Eximo]

Creeping well above your budget if you do a 7900, but that would slot right in.

CPU fan is optional, but you mentioned wanting it quiet. That will do very well to keep a 65W CPU in check with minimal noise compared to the stock cooler. More could be spent on a be quiet! or Noctua fan/heatsink if desired.

With ATX and more feature rich in mind:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($299.00 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($33.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI PRO X670-P WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($216.92 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($106.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $656.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-02-15 17:16 EST-0500

 

[alexb75]

Creeping well above your budget if you do a 7900, but that would slot right in.

CPU fan is optional, but you mentioned wanting it quiet. That will do very well to keep a 65W CPU in check with minimal noise compared to the stock cooler. More could be spent on a be quiet! or Noctua fan/heatsink if desired.

With ATX and more feature rich in mind:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($299.00 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($33.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI PRO X670-P WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard ($216.92 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($106.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $656.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-02-15 17:16 EST-0500

Oh, I do have a Noctua heat sink and fan that will be transferring over. Apparently it should work on AM5 too.

 

[Eximo]

Double check that you don't need the AM5 mounting kit for your cooler. Noctua does give updated mounts out for free, just have to ask.

 

[kanewolf]

And to have that longevity you have to use Windows 11.

 

[Flayed]

If you want to save some money here is an AM4 option:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X 3.4 GHz 8-Core Processor ($180.59 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK400 66.47 CFM CPU Cooler ($33.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI B550-A PRO ATX AM4 Motherboard ($109.99 @ B&H)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($64.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $389.55
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-02-17 21:59 EST-0500

 

[MEMOFLEX]

Is that PSU from 2014?

 

[alexb75]

I just saw Ryzen 7900 is on sale for $350! It's been coming down slowly over the last 2-3 weeks, I believe they're getting ready to release Ryzen 8000 CPUs.

Is this a good time to buy an AM5 CPU? or one shall wait for Ryzen 8000 and new architecture to come out?!

 

[Eximo]

It will be the 9000 series, and you would be looking at late this year at the earliest.

 

[alexb75]

It will be the 9000 series, and you would be looking at late this year at the earliest.

Ok, regardless of naming, it will be the next architecture, with low power cores and more instructions per core in the next generation. Right?

So, is it worth getting the 7900 now?! or shall one wait?

Secondly, which motherboard, or brand would be best suited for future potential upgrades?

 

[Eximo]

Well, the Zen 4c cores are already here in the existing 8000 series chips, but that is a wholly different monolithic chip design that stops at 8 cores, and has decent integrated graphics.

I don't believe c cores are planned for 9000 series desktop chips. At least none of the outlets are talking about it. Should just be more 6-8 core chiplets so basically the same models 6, 8, 12, and 16 cores, with the new process nodes and any architectural improvements AMD has been working on. There are some rumored details here:

AMD Ryzen 9000 Specs, Architecture & Pricing: A Look at the Zen 5 Processors | Hardware Times

Here's everything we know about AMD's next-gen Ryzen 9000 series processors and the Zen 5 core powering it. Process node, architecture and more

www.hardwaretimes.com

But, yes, it should have some performance uplift over the previous generation. It may also once again increase clock speeds at the same time.

Buy the motherboard with the features you want. Can't really predict how and when BIOS releases to support new processors will be available. Avoid the A series boards, but that is about the only advice I can give there.

 

[alexb75]

Well, the Zen 4c cores are already here in the existing 8000 series chips, but that is a wholly different monolithic chip design that stops at 8 cores, and has decent integrated graphics.

I don't believe c cores are planned for 9000 series desktop chips. At least none of the outlets are talking about it. Should just be more 6-8 core chiplets so basically the same models 6, 8, 12, and 16 cores, with the new process nodes and any architectural improvements AMD has been working on. There are some rumored details here:

AMD Ryzen 9000 Specs, Architecture & Pricing: A Look at the Zen 5 Processors | Hardware Times

Here's everything we know about AMD's next-gen Ryzen 9000 series processors and the Zen 5 core powering it. Process node, architecture and more

www.hardwaretimes.com

But, yes, it should have some performance uplift over the previous generation. It may also once again increase clock speeds at the same time.

Buy the motherboard with the features you want. Can't really predict how and when BIOS releases to support new processors will be available. Avoid the A series boards, but that is about the only advice I can give there.

Thanks, so any B650e or higher should be good for now, right?

 

[Eximo]

Your other thread will probably garner some responses. I generally just look for ones with decent VRMs, heatsinks, and at least one 10 or 20 Gbps USB port (just in case, personally still haven't taken advantage of that or thunderbolt) I also tend to try and find a board with slightly better than the basic integrated audio, but pretty much all the chips are good enough these days. 2.5Gbps ethernet if you have fiber to home, or anywhere at or above 500Mbps internet service. If they ever bump it up to 1Gbps or 2Gbps, then you will want that.