3700X@$330 vs. 3800X@$370

[ratirt]

The idea behind is based on that the chosen performance is basically what OP is fine with and cannot afford something way more expensive now. Short term, the assumption holds, but longer term the price difference isn't that pronounced and those few percent, however insignificant, will be more evident later in future.

I think these few percents will not be evident in the future to validate an extension of one product useful lifespan over another from 2 years to way longer (way longer for me is like 2 more years so) like 4 years. I'm not arguing with you that this decision is not OP's decision because there's noting to argue about. This one is obvious.

This the main reason I got with the 3600 since gaming is the primary thing for me. Im waiting for 4000 and may upgrade again in 2021~2022 when prices are really low.

I was going for 3900x but decided to wait for the new Ryzen although I will not wait for the price cuts but the benchmarks of the new processors and value in comparison to 3000 series. I think it will be worth it and the price will be justified

 

[R0H1T]

If you can stretch the budget a bit & wait for black Friday or cyber Monday deals, 3900x would be my choice. 1700x -> 3800x looks more of a side-grade to me, unless of course you just want a better gaming CPU.

 

[ratirt]

If you can stretch the budget a bit & wait for black Friday or cyber Monday deals, 3900x would be my choice. 1700x -> 3800x looks more of a side-grade to me, unless of course you just want a better gaming CPU.

what about productivity between 1700x and 3800x? How can this be a side-grade when the difference in performance across the board between the two you mentioned is significant.

 

[R0H1T]

More significant than 3800x -> 3900x? The 100$ price difference seems worth it IMO, but again as I said wait for better prices during the upcoming sales & probably then decide.

 

[1000t]

I think these few percents will not be evident in the future to validate an extension of one product useful lifespan over another from 2 years to way longer (way longer for me is like 2 more years so) like 4 years. I'm not arguing with you that this decision is not OP's decision because there's noting to argue about. This one is obvious.

You are confusing cause and effects. I'm not saying if he buys 3800X he has to use it for longer. Instead, I'm suggesting that if he plans to keep the computer for 5, 10 or million years, then the price difference of more expensive option becomes less and less, becasue it's amortized over longer lifetime.

 

[ratirt]

More significant than 3800x -> 3900x? The 100$ price difference seems worth it IMO, but again as I said wait for better prices during the upcoming sales & probably then decide.

I'm comparing 1700x to 3800x and it is significant and i disagree it is a side-upgrade as you said. 3900x is even more noticeable but that's not the point. He can go threadripper 32c which makes 3900x look like a toy in a boys hands. Moving from 1700x to 3800x is significant and you can't just look at this as a 8c/16t vs 8c/16t comparison stating a side grade because the core and thread number is the same. The 3800x way faster than 1700x in every scenario there is.

You are confusing cause and effects. I'm not saying if he buys 3800X he has to use it for longer. Instead, I'm suggesting that if he plans to keep the computer for 5, 10 or million years, then the price difference of more expensive option becomes less and less, becasue it's amortized over longer lifetime.

I'm not confusing anything and I see your point of view but.... You said, very prominently, that the few percents more performance between the two will be more evident in the future. That is what I disagree with completely. The progress we currently have in programing, make this few percents nothing now so in two years time it will still be nothing. Either way, I'm not convinced that buying more expensive CPU like 3800x ($40 more) over 3700x is justified becuase in longer term the price difference will be negligible. The $40 would be negligible after one years time anyway. Since the two CPUs are same, I'd go for better motherboard or RAM instead, since the performance difference between the two is none and you will not even remember this $40 after one year.

 

[EarthDog]

I'm comparing 1700x to 3800x and it is significant and i disagree it is a side-upgrade as you said. 3900x is even more noticeable but that's not the point. He can go threadripper 32c which makes 3900x look like a toy in a boys hands. Moving from 1700x to 3800x is significant and you can't just look at this as a 8c/16t vs 8c/16t comparison stating a side grade because the core and thread number is the same. The 3800x way faster than 1700x in every scenario there is.


I'm not confusing anything and I see your point of view but.... You said, very prominently, that the few percents more performance between the two will be more evident in the future. That is what I disagree with completely. The progress we currently have in programing, make this few percents nothing now so in two years time it will still be nothing. Either way, I'm not convinced that buying more expensive CPU like 3800x ($40 more) over 3700x is justified becuase in longer term the price difference will be negligible. The $40 would be negligible after one years time anyway. Since the two CPUs are same, I'd go for better motherboard or RAM instead, since the performance difference between the two is none and you will not even remember this $40 after one year.

Agree with the first part..

The second... not so much. He already has solid RAM and Mobo (and GPU) as mentioned earlier (and looking at his specs)...otherwise I would agree. So either he saves it or spends the pittance on the slightly higher performing 3800x.

 

[ratirt]

Agree with the first part..

The second... not so much. He already has solid RAM and Mobo (and GPU) as mentioned earlier (and looking at his specs)...otherwise I would agree. So either he saves it or spends the pittance on the slightly higher performing 3800x.

Yes, he has. Maybe you are right but come to think of it he's got 1700x paired with 570x chipset. I thought the 1st gen Ryzens are not supported by 570x chipsets.

 

[R0H1T]

Well all the more reason to get a 3900x then, don't you think? Anyway the 3800x is a substantial upgrade, I still maintain though that the step-up to 3900x (20~25% above 3800x MSRP) is worth it IMO.

 

[EarthDog]

Yes, he has. Maybe you are right but come to think of it he's got 1700x paired with 570x chipset. I thought the 1st gen Ryzens are not supported by 570x chipsets.

No clue. Maybe he just bought that stuff and using the older until he gets the new CPU? No idea. But he mentioned he has good ram and mobo already soooooooooo... going with that.

Well all the more reason to get a 3900x then, don't you think? Anyway the 3800x is a substantial upgrade, I still maintain though that the step-up to 3900x (20~25% above 3800x MSRP) is worth it IMO.

If he can use all the cores and threads, sure. Otherwise, no... unless he actually keep his PC and doens't plan on upgrading for a few years.

 

[Zach_01]

I'm comparing 1700x to 3800x and it is significant and i disagree it is a side-upgrade as you said. 3900x is even more noticeable but that's not the point. He can go threadripper 32c which makes 3900x look like a toy in a boys hands. Moving from 1700x to 3800x is significant and you can't just look at this as a 8c/16t vs 8c/16t comparison stating a side grade because the core and thread number is the same. The 3800x way faster than 1700x in every scenario there is.

Definately not a side-upgrade... 1700X --> 3800X
The benchmarks below (1800X vs 3700X) show already significant gains (+15~25% games/ +30~40% multi)

 

[Solid State Soul ( SSS )]

For a home gaming and web PC anything above a 3700X is unnecessary, better spend the extra cash on something that would contribute to better practical benefits such as a larger capacity SSD or a better faster ram

 

[NoJuan999]

I personally upgraded from a 2600 to a 3700x and I am extremel happy with the 3700x.
From what I could find the 3800x is only slightly faster than the 3700x so for me the higher cost wasn't worth it.
This is worth reading to help you decide:

AMD Ryzen 7 3800X vs. 3700X: What's the Difference?

The latest series of Ryzen CPUs has been out for six weeks and yet only about a week ago were we able to get our hands on...

www.techspot.com

Conclusion from linked review:

Buying advise in short: we highly recommend avoiding the 3800X and instead grab the 3700X. If you find it necessary, upgrade the box cooler with the money saved. The Ryzen 5 3600 remains king of value bar none, and the 3900X offers more cores for productivity, gaming may not benefit as we observed in our GPU scaling benchmark.

PS
My 3700x does as well as a 3800x on most benchmarks:

CPU-Z Benchmark for AMD Ryzen 7 3700X (16T) - CPU-Z VALIDATOR

Best CPU performance - 64-bit - March 2024

valid.x86.fr

 

[Vario]

For $40 more I'd probably do the 3800X. But if considering the impact of $40 elsewhere in build:
3700X + aftermarket heatsink or 3800X+ stock wraith prism? In this case, the 3800X would probably be the better option.
3700X + 16GB B die or 32GB hynix/micron vs 3800X with 16GB hynix/micron? I'd say the 3700X option.
3700X + RX 5700XT vs 3800X + 5700? I'd say the 3700X.

Might be better off putting that $40 into a different part.