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Review: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Ryzen 7 3700X

by Tarinder Sandhu on 7 July 2019, 14:00

Tags: AMD (NYSE:AMD)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qaebiw

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Ryzen 3000-series line-up

AMD Ryzen product range

Model
Cores / Threads
TDP
L3 Cache
Base Clock
Turbo Clock
Process
PCIe
DDR4 Support
Package
Price
AMD Ryzen 9
Ryzen 9 3950X
16 / 32
105W
64MB
3.5GHz
4.7GHz
7nm
24
Dual 3200
AM4
$749
Ryzen 9 3900X
12 / 24
105W
64MB
3.8GHz
4.6GHz
7nm
24
Dual 3200
AM4
$499
AMD Ryzen 7
Ryzen 7 3800X
8 / 16
105W
32MB
3.9GHz
4.5GHz
7nm
24
Dual 3200
AM4
$399
Ryzen 7 3700X
8 / 16
65W
32MB
3.6GHz
4.4GHz
7nm
24
Dual 3200
AM4
$329
Ryzen 7 2700X
8 / 16
105W
16MB
3.7GHz
4.3GHz
12nm
24
Dual 2933
AM4
$329
Ryzen 7 2700
8 / 16
65W
16MB
3.2GHz
4.1GHz
12nm
24
Dual 2933
AM4
$299
Ryzen 7 1800X
8 / 16
95W
16MB
3.6GHz
4.0GHz
14nm
24
Dual 2666
AM4
$349
Ryzen 7 1700X
8 / 16
95W
16MB
3.4GHz
3.8GHz
14nm
24
Dual 2666
AM4
$309
Ryzen 7 1700
8 / 16
65W
16MB
3.0GHz
3.7GHz
14nm
24
Dual 2666
AM4
$299
AMD Ryzen 5
Ryzen 5 3600X
6 / 12
95W
32MB
3.8GHz
4.4GHz
7nm
24
Dual 3200
AM4
$249
Ryzen 5 3600
6 / 12
65W
32MB
3.6GHz
4.2GHz
7nm
24
Dual 3200
AM4
$199
Ryzen 5 2600X
6 / 12
95W
16MB
3.6GHz
4.2GHz
12nm
24
Dual 2933
AM4
$229
Ryzen 5 2600
6 / 12
65W
16MB
3.4GHz
3.9GHz
12nm
24
Dual 2933
AM4
$199
Ryzen 5 1600X
6 / 12
95W
16MB
3.6GHz
4.0GHz
14nm
24
Dual 2666
AM4
$219
Ryzen 5 1600
6 / 12
65W
16MB
3.2GHz
3.6GHz
14nm
24
Dual 2666
AM4
$189
Ryzen 5 2400G
4 / 8
65W
4MB
3.6GHz
3.9GHz
14nm
16
Dual 2933
AM4
$169
Ryzen 5 1500X
4 / 8
65W
16MB
3.5GHz
3.7GHz
14nm
24
Dual 2666
AM4
$174
Ryzen 5 1400
4 / 8
65W
8MB
3.2GHz
3.4GHz
14nm
24
Dual 2666
AM4
$169
AMD Ryzen 3
Ryzen 3 2200G
4 / 4
65W
4MB
3.5GHz
3.7GHz
14nm
16
Dual 2933
AM4
$99
Ryzen 3 1300X
4 / 4
65W
8MB
3.5GHz
3.7GHz
14nm
24
Dual 2666
AM4
$129
Ryzen 3 1200
4 / 4
65W
8MB
3.1GHz
3.4GHz
14nm
24
Dual 2666
AM4
$109


Making sense of Ryzen 3rd Gen

Ryzen 3rd Gen processors, based on Zen 2, are identified by by having the number '3' after the model range. Common amongst these new Ryzens is provision for higher frequencies compared to their progenitors, double the L3 cache we spoke about on the first page, 7nm production, and memory support now at 3,200MHz. And, of course, the IPC goodness that Zen 2 heralds. All offer support for PCIe Gen 4 and the extant AM4 platform, preferably on the also-all-new X570 chipset. Head over to here to learn more about that one.

In all, there are six new processors. From the bottom up, the Ryzen 5 class welcomes in the 3600 and 3600X. These carry the same six-core, 12-thread SMT processing as their 1st and 2nd Gen predecessors, while X and non-X ship with familiar 95W and 65W TDPs

Ryzen 7, too, keeps consistency between generations by having eight cores and 16 threads, and does the same minor frequency hike over Zen+ and Zen. TDPs are also in line with expectations. Some may have expected to see lower TDPs thanks to the 7nm process, but AMD has used any extra power headroom to drive the wider architecture and higher speeds.

Ryzen 9 is where it gets interesting for the true power user. This model nomenclature debuts with Zen 2 and brings more cores and threads to a mainstream platform than ever before. The Ryzen 9 3900X, for example, has up to 50 per cent more grunt than the already-decent Ryzen 7 3700X. One needs to invest in the more expensive X299 platform from Intel to match the immediate multi-threaded muscle - popular, mainstream Z390 tops out with the 8C/16T Core i9-9900K.

If that's not enough, AMD is set to release a 16C/32T Ryzen 9 3950X in September. The impressive part here is that it's able to thrash that many threads, at nominally decent speeds, whilst keeping to a restrained 105W TDP. Guess that's the indirect power of 7nm and speed-binning the very finest silicon.

In sum, Ryzen 3rd Gen promises improved IPC, higher frequencies for core and memory, twice the L3 cache, all on the AM4 platform enthusiasts are familiar with.

AMD provided the press with the 12C24T Ryzen 9 3900X and 8C16T Ryzen 7 3700X for benchmark evaluation, available today at £479 and £300, respectively. Both are packaged with Wraith Prism cooler, as well.

The chips feature solder between the metal packaging (heatspreader) and underlying CPU and I/O dies, which is both welcome and interesting for a multi-chip module processor. The new Ryzens represent a slot-in upgrade for many users who have already committed to AMD's AM4 platform, whether that be the all-new X570 or many older boards.

Speaking of AM4, AMD's made it clear there's not complete interoperability between every possible combination. Every 400-series board will support these new chips through a BIOS update, but the older X370 and B350's support is dependant upon the manufacturer.

Of course, AMD would prefer you to use the Ryzen 3000-series and X570 chipset combination for a new build because the duo enables PCIe 4 support from CPU through to motherboard, which is particularly handy if running the latest slew of high-performance SSDs.

If you need any added incentive, it's also worth noting the current AMD promotion offering a three-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass when purchasing select Ryzen CPUs or Radeon GPUs. Further details on qualifying products are available at amd.com. Right-o, on to the much-awaited benchmarks.