Question Switching from a Ryzen 7800X3D to a Ryzen 7950X ?

[swurl]

If I'm able to sell my 7800X3D and pay an extra $50 I can easily afford a 7950X. I want to do this primarily because almost my entire workload is based on productivity and generally benefits massively from increased thread count.

However, the only thing I'm potentially concerned with is decreased gaming performance--I don't play many games but from what I can tell they are rather CPU-intensive. I do only have an RX 6600 so maybe it's actually fine?

Let me know if there would be any potential downsides.

 

[Lutfij]

However, the only thing I'm potentially concerned with is decreased gaming performance
That decision has to come from you...since you're the one who'll be taxing the system, not us. To also add, if the productivity tasks you tax the system help keep a roof over your head and food on the table, then you should move forward with the processor swap.

I don't play many games but from what I can tell they are rather CPU-intensive. I do only have an RX 6600 so maybe it's actually fine?
What games do you tax the system with and at what resolution?

Let me know if there would be any potential downsides.
The latter CPU has a higher TDOP, what are you currently using to cool your processor?

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Hey there,

Na, I wouldn't be too concerned. You'll still get pretty strong FPS from the 7950x. It's no slouch, ya know!? 😉

 

[swurl]

What games do you tax the system with and at what resolution?

I meant to include that, I generally only play 2D games which could easily run on a Pentium 4--but I also do sometimes emulate Switch games which I've heard is extraordinarily CPU-intensive.

You'll still get pretty strong FPS from the 7950x. It's no slouch, ya know!? 😉

I guess so. I was kind of under the impression that the 7950X had way less L3 cache (which is super important for some of the things I develop), but nope, it's still got 64MB which is plenty. Guess I'll get this started.

 

[alceryes]

If I'm able to sell my 7800X3D and pay an extra $50 I can easily afford a 7950X. I want to do this primarily because almost my entire workload is based on productivity and generally benefits massively from increased thread count.

However, the only thing I'm potentially concerned with is decreased gaming performance--I don't play many games but from what I can tell they are rather CPU-intensive. I do only have an RX 6600 so maybe it's actually fine?

Let me know if there would be any potential downsides.

One of the great things about the 7950X is that you can gain gaming performance, across the board, by disabling SMT.
Because you have 16 real cores you don't need SMT. Better to give the extra power and thermal headroom (SMT costs extra power and creates more heat) to actual cores. Unless you use apps that actively load up all cores (real and fake) with work, it's better to just keep SMT off.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

One of the great things about the 7950X is that you can gain gaming performance, across the board, by disabling SMT.
Because you have 16 real cores you don't need SMT. Better to give the extra power and thermal headroom (SMT costs extra power and creates more heat) to actual cores. Unless you use apps that actively load up all cores (real and fake) with work, it's better to just keep SMT off.

Very good point 👍

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

I guess so. I was kind of under the impression that the 7950X had way less L3 cache (which is super important for some of the things I develop), but nope, it's still got 64MB which is plenty. Guess I'll get this started.

Yes, it's a well made CPU. Stellar for productivity and great for gaming on the side. Although the 7800x3d is faster in certain scenarios, it's not in all games. There's a couple of games coming out that might max out a 7800x3d in a year or two, and the 7950x won't even flinch at it. Very solid.

 

[swurl]

One of the great things about the 7950X is that you can gain gaming performance, across the board, by disabling SMT.
Because you have 16 real cores you don't need SMT. Better to give the extra power and thermal headroom (SMT costs extra power and creates more heat) to actual cores. Unless you use apps that actively load up all cores (real and fake) with work, it's better to just keep SMT off.

Interesting--I'll keep that in mind. My impression is that SMT on is better for compiling large C/++ projects though (as long as I have enough RAM obviously) so if gaming performance is fine with SMT on (esp. with my graphics card bottleneck) I'll do so.

There's a couple of games coming out that might max out a 7800x3d in a year or two, and the 7950x won't even flinch at it.

This I also figured. I suppose the 3D cache is just ridiculously helpful for certain games but the lower overall productivity score makes it less ideal for a developer such as me. I'm not complaining though, I saved like $300 on this thanks to a MicroCenter bundle and now can easily turn a big profit.

 

[alceryes]

Interesting--I'll keep that in mind. My impression is that SMT on is better for compiling large C/++ projects though (as long as I have enough RAM obviously) so if gaming performance is fine with SMT on (esp. with my graphics card bottleneck) I'll do so.



This I also figured. I suppose the 3D cache is just ridiculously helpful for certain games but the lower overall productivity score makes it less ideal for a developer such as me. I'm not complaining though, I saved like $300 on this thanks to a MicroCenter bundle and now can easily turn a big profit.

Yeah, usually compilers load up every available core whether real or HT/SMT. You'll have to decide which is best for your use case.

Also, bear in mind what @Lutfij said about thermals. The 7950X can use substantially more power, requiring a better cooler.

 

[swurl]

Also, bear in mind what @Lutfij said about thermals. The 7950X can use substantially more power, requiring a better cooler.

I have comically oversized case fans, a high-quality CPU cooler, and my CPU never reached above 60° even under very heavy load, so I think I'm okay? I'll see though

 

[logainofhades]

Keep in mind the 9900x3d and 9950x3d are coming soon.

 

[swurl]

Keep in mind the 9900x3d and 9950x3d are coming soon.

That is WAY out of my budget, lol. If I can sell my 7800X3D I'm only paying 50-70$ for the 7950X. And I only have like $150 to spend

 

[alceryes]

I have comically oversized case fans, a high-quality CPU cooler, and my CPU never reached above 60° even under very heavy load, so I think I'm okay? I'll see though

Haha! Don't expect to keep the 7950X at those temps.
I regularly hit over 80ºC peak temp and I'm using the TG Kryosheet and one of the best air coolers available. This cooler matches or beats all but the top tier triple fan AiOs.

I admint that I do have the CPU slightly tuned for higher performance at the cost of moar watts, though. 😉
(see 3DMark link in sig)

Still in the top 100 (out of 119K results) for Time Spy with this CPU/GPU combo.

 

[CountMike]

It's not only about cooler and TDP, but 7950x draws upwards of 220W from VRM at full performance and power so good MB is in order. Most B motherboards can provide up to 180W without overheating X MBs 250w+ with 16 phases.

 

[alceryes]

It's not only about cooler and TDP, but 7950x draws upwards of 220W from VRM at full performance and power so good MB is in order. Most B motherboards can provide up to 180W without overheating X MBs 250w+ with 16 phases.

Excellent point.
If you plan on running with SMT enabled and have all 32 cores loaded up compiling/encoding/etc., plan on having a motherboard with a beefy VRM. Although, there are several B-series boards with more than enough. My B650E Taichi has a 24+2+1 phase power delivery system (total overkill). I should be able to drop in AMD's top-tier next gen CPU (after the 9000-series) with nothing more than a BIOS update, as it's currently rumored to still be on AM5.