Solved Ok .. sort of fast question concerning a new processor

My PC currently has a Ryzen 3 3200G and while I like it I want to do one more upgrade this coming Feb with my tax return money. The question is this.. which one should I get??

Option one.. the Ryzen 5 3600 series.. it’s 6 core/12 thread - right now 300.
Option two.. the Ryzen 7 3800 series.. it’s 8 core/16 thread. - right now 340,

Both are about the same price and I can use them on my current motherboard.

What I’m wondering is will it be worth the cost and time to get a new processor? Will it perform that much better? Yes,, I compared them and the new ones are overall much better but I want some more input into this decision
TIA 🐱

Here's a quick comparison of the two chips you're looking to buy:


Perhaps it might help you with your decision. Overall, the Ryzen 7 3800X is faster and has more cache. I think I have the same CPUs you mention purchasing.

jvickers said:

Here's a quick comparison of the two chips you're looking to buy:

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 vs AMD Ryzen 7 3800X: What is the difference?

What is the difference between AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and AMD Ryzen 7 3800X? Find out which is better and their overall performance in the CPU ranking.

versus.com

Perhaps it might help you with your decision. Overall, the Ryzen 7 3800X is faster and has more cache. I think I have the same CPUs you mention purchasing.

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Thanks.,, I will have enough to get either one in Feb and I thought.. why not? Oh and I do have a Ryzen 3 2200G that I can sell to get more funds for the new processor.

For that price difference, definitely get the 3800x over the 3600.

The upgrade will make your device a much better performer compared to that 3200G.

But keep in mind, you will also need a GPU if you upgrade. The new CPUs don't have built in GPU.

Just noticed you have a GeForce GTX TITAN X 12GB

So not an issue for you.

SlicEnDicE said:

For that price difference, definitely get the 3800x over the 3600.

The upgrade will make your device a much better performer compared to that 3200G.

But keep in mind, you will also need a GPU if you upgrade. The new CPUs don't have built in GPU.

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And I have on installed already. I was gifted one from a member of the forum. It's a Geforce GTX Titan X., and it's amazing. I just want a better processor to mach up with it.

Yeah id def go with the 3800x. the 8 core 16 threads will be a nice little bit of future proofing over the 6 core/12thread, For such little difference i money id just get the 3800x if possible. I did read a few things about the 3800x not being the greatest of pairs with a b350 board, but it will work, Depends what you do really. Someone with the same board couldn't get it to boot, even with a bios and chipset update. Again i dont the specifics of it, good chance there was an issue elsewhere considering its officially supported. Think most recommend a b450 board for the 3800x

Devlin1888 said:

Yeah id def go with the 3800x. the 8 core 16 threads will be a nice little bit of future proofing over the 6 core/12thread, For such little difference i money id just get the 3800x if possible. I did read a few things about the 3800x not being the greatest of pairs with a b350 board, but it will work, Depends what you do really. Someone with the same board couldn't get it to boot, even with a bios and chipset update. Again i dont the specifics of it, good chance there was an issue elsewhere considering its officially supported. Think most recommend a b450 board for the 3800x

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I'll look into getting a new motherboard.

BunnyJ said:

I'll look into getting a new motherboard.

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Might not be necessary. Just what I found from a few forum posts elsewhere. Im sure it'll be fine. Might just be a few things to do like bios update/chipset update prior to the switch over. Just worth reading into I guess. You know you're stuff so I'm sure whatever you go with will be sufficient!

If you decide to get a new MB, then get a B550 they are quite cheap but good and support latest Ryzens with ease too

SlicEnDicE said:

If you decide to get a new MB, then get a B550 they are quite cheap but good and support latest Ryzens with ease too

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I did some homework on the motherboard I have and it will support the 3800x and I have the latest BIOS and chipset from AMD for it. So... I should be set

I don't use AMD processors, so can't express any opinion on the relative 'speed' of the two processors mentioned, or what real differences you would see in use, but, if you ever (want to) use Virtual Machines then definitely go for the CPU with highest (physical) Core count as that allows you more 'surplus' resources to play with.

BunnyJ said:

I'll look into getting a new motherboard.

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If you do get a new MB, see if the CPU works with your current MB first. Don't open the new MB. You can always return it if you get it from Amazon. You'll have the new MB just in case and won't have to wait. I'm sure you don't want the downtime.

Personally, I would skip the 3800X and go to the 3900X.

As for the motherboards... the 500 series motherboards have PCIe x16 4.0, as opposed to 3.0.

BunnyJ said:

I'll look into getting a new motherboard.

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Then you have to check latest generation CPUs... Ryzen 5 5600x isn't much more.

...the endless rabbit hole... 😂

...yes, a 5000-series CPU would be the absolutely best option. But they cost a bit more atm.

SlicEnDicE said:

...the endless rabbit hole... 😂

...yes, a 5000-series CPU would be the absolutely best option. But they cost a bit more atm.

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Price difference is surprisingly narrow here in Europe. 3600X vs 5600X is like 10€ difference.

AndreTen said:

Price difference is surprisingly narrow here in Europe. 3600X vs 5600X is like 10€ difference.

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Yeah, just noticed. Didn't realize the prices has dropped that much

jvickers said:

If you do get a new MB, see if the CPU works with your current MB first. Don't open the new MB. You can always return it if you get it from Amazon. You'll have the new MB just in case and won't have to wait. I'm sure you don't want the downtime.

Click to expand...

I just double checked and the 3800X will work with my current motherboard.

AndreTen said:

Then you have to check latest generation CPUs... Ryzen 5 5600x isn't much more.

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I'll keep that in mind but I really just want to keep my current motherboard.