Unleashing the Power: Ryzen 5800X3D vs 5800X vs 3900X in iRacing

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Upgrading to RTX 3070 TI and Ryzen 9 3900x
3. Deciding to Upgrade to Ryzen 7 5800x
4. testing Ryzen 5800x 3D Variant
5. Comparison of CPU Spec Sheets
6. Understanding Multi-threading
7. Impact of Cores on Gaming Performance
8. Max Boost and Power Consumption
9. Overclocking Considerations
10. Benchmarking and Real-world Scenarios
11. Results and Analysis
12. Conclusion

🚀 Upgrading to Ryzen 9 3900x: A Look at CPU Performance

Upgrading the CPU in a gaming setup is a common choice for enthusiasts looking to improve their system's performance. In this article, we will explore the experience of one gamer who recently upgraded from an RTX 3070 TI to a Ryzen 9 3900x and share the surprising results of this upgrade.

Introduction

The gamer in question was experiencing frame drops and eye-racing issues, despite having upgraded to the powerful RTX 3070 TI. Initially, the assumption was that the GPU was the bottleneck of the system. However, upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the CPU, a Ryzen 9 3900x, might be the culprit. With hopes of resolving the performance issues, the decision was made to upgrade the CPU and test the results.

Upgrading to Ryzen 7 5800x

To address the potential CPU bottleneck, the gamer opted to upgrade to the Ryzen 7 5800x. However, a last-minute decision was made to also test the Ryzen 5800x 3D variant. While there are plenty of previews available for these chips, there is a lack of focus on eye-racing performance. As the gamer had been benchmarking all three CPUs themselves, they decided to share their results.

Comparison of CPU Spec Sheets

On paper, the Ryzen 7 5800x and the Ryzen 9 3900x appear quite similar, with the former seemingly worse in terms of specifications. However, the 5800x belongs to a newer generation of CPUs, which enables it to perform more calculations per cycle, resulting in increased computational power. Despite having fewer cores and lower cache, the 5800x compensates with higher clock speeds and improved efficiency.

Understanding Multi-threading

Multi-threading plays a crucial role in CPU performance for tasks such as rendering 3D graphics, exporting media, and running complex applications. However, not all games fully utilize multiple cores, which puts CPUs with more cores at a disadvantage. Developers often prioritize optimizing their games for a smaller number of cores, as higher core count CPUs are less common among gamers. To better understand this concept, let's delve into a Simplified example.

Imagine a Scenario where two CPU cores handle the physics calculations for your racing Game, while additional cores manage opponents' positions, lap times, and communication with the server. The background processes also require CPU resources. While a CPU with more cores may seem advantageous, the reality is that only a few games benefit significantly from these additional cores.

Impact of Cores on Gaming Performance

In terms of gaming, the Ryzen 9 3900x's 12 cores do not always provide a distinct advantage over CPUs with fewer cores. Most games struggle to Scale beyond eight cores. Moreover, running all 12 cores at maximum speed generates significantly more heat than running eight cores at full speed. This highlights the importance of managing power consumption and cooling solutions while considering the CPU's thermal output.

Max Boost and Power Consumption

The Max Boost feature of CPUs determines their peak clock speed. While the 3900x and the 5800x claim similar Max Boosts, this only applies to single-core usage. When all cores are utilized simultaneously, the CPU adjusts its power consumption and may not reach its maximum clock speed. It is crucial to consider this aspect when evaluating CPU performance and selecting a suitable cooling solution.

Overclocking Considerations

The gamer in question did not overclock their CPUs for this testing. Thus, the results presented are based on the CPUs' default settings. Overclocking can yield further improvements in performance, but it was not a focus of this particular analysis.

Benchmarking and Real-world Scenarios

To assess the performance of the CPUs in a real-world scenario, the gamer created a setup that mirrored online races with 30 AI drivers. They used eye-racing with various applications running in the background, such as crew chief, trading paints, and race lab apps. The benchmarking included multiple races at different graphical settings, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the CPUs' performance.

Results and Analysis

The benchmarking results were nothing short of remarkable. Even with higher graphical settings, the Ryzen 5800x provided a solid 37% increase in frames compared to the older Ryzen 3900x. This improvement was unexpected, considering the similar clock speeds of both CPUs. However, the real star of the testing was the Ryzen 5800x 3D variant, which demonstrated an astonishing doubling of frame rates compared to the 3900x.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are considering upgrading your CPU from the Ryzen 9 3900x and are not ready to migrate to the AM5 chipset yet, the Ryzen 5800x, particularly the 3D variant, offers a substantial performance boost. The 5800x outperforms its predecessor consistently, and the 3D variant proves to be exceptionally fast. This upgrade provides a significant improvement for gamers and sim racing enthusiasts. Consider choosing the most suitable variant based on your budget and requirements to ensure optimal performance and enhance your overall gaming experience.

Resources:

• RTX 3070 TI
• Ryzen 9 3900x
• Ryzen 7 5800x