AMD Ryzen 7 3800x vs Ryzen 7 5800x: Which CPU to pick?
Can the previous one stand up with the new gen? This is the question we are going to answer with the comparison between the Ryzen 7 3800x vs Ryzen 7 5800x. By now you probably know that both are from the same company (a.ka AMD) and even the same line of chips. So, what improvements Ryzen go through in their 5800x series that the 3800x lacked?
If you are someone who is determined to make their first PC build with a Ryzen 7 processor but cannot choose between the 3800x or the 5800x, then you’ve bumped into the right place. I have broken down the specs as well as a performance benchmark for you to know which processor is better for what job, and by the end of this, you will be able to make the most informed choice.
So, without any further ado, let’s dive right into this…
Detailed Theoretical Comparison
| Specification | Ryzen 7 3800x | Ryzen 7 5800x |
| CPU Generation | 3 | 4 |
| Cores/Threads | 8/16 | 8/16 |
| Base Clock/Boost Clock | 3.90/4.20 GHz | 3.90/4.40 GHz |
| Cache (L1/L2/L3) | 64K/512K/32MB | 64K/512K/32MB |
| Overclocking | Yes | Yes |
| PCle Version | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Memory Support | DDR4-3200 | DDR4-3200 |
| Cooling Solution | Wraith Prism | No |
| Integrated Graphics Card | No | No |
Closely analyzing the specs on paper, you can see that not much has changed between the two versions. For starters, they both more or less have the same ingredients. So, what exactly is the difference between Ryzen 7 3800x vs Ryzen 7 5800x? The honest and accurate answer is nothing significant unless you’re considering gaming to be your primary priority.
In a nutshell, there are a few more performance benefits that the new 5800x offers that the 3800x does not. Apart from that, there is nothing new to this processor that the last one did not already have- unless we run the benchmark scores to really find the truth behind this!
Except for the generational difference, there isn’t much changed on the specs side of things. If you are someone who needs every ounce of clock speed, then you may want to go for the newer 5800x, but if that isn’t something that piques your interest, then using the older 3800x isn’t a bad choice.
Now that we’ve predicted this, let’s go through some real-life number comparisons to put our predictions to test! Having said that, what better way to test this than to run benchmark comparisons? Keep scrolling to know more!
Benchmark Scores Comparison
| Parameter | Ryzen 7 3800x | Ryzen 7 5800x |
| CPU Mark Score | 23273 | 28344 |
| Single-Core Score | 1289 | 1671 |
| Multi-Core Score | 8869 | 10337 |
| Single-Thread Rating | 2735 | 3483 |
When looking at the benchmark scores clearly shows that the new processor is moderately better than the previous generation. Other than that, there doesn’t seem to be much changed from the older one. If you are someone who had an older model CPU and are looking to invest in something new, then skipping the 5800x may be a good choice.
Which One Is Good For Gaming?
Speaking of gaming performance, both of them perform almost the same under extreme gaming conditions. For starters, there is just a tad bit of a marginal difference between the new 5800x and the old 3800x. The new one provides just a slightly better performance under high gaming conditions. Apart from that, there isn’t much left to say on gaming performance.
When it comes to consistent framerate, the 5800x does provide better performance even after long hours of gaming. This also applies to streaming and multitasking. Both chipsets come with 8 cores and 16 threads, which is great for multitasking. If it is a gaming rig you are designing, then going with either one is a good choice, but the newer 5800x will always out-beat the previous chipset.
You can look at these gaming benchmark scores in this YouTube video.
It is clear that the 5800X is better than the 3800X when it comes to gaming. But, the difference isn’t that huge. So, you will have to go further and then decide.
Which One Is Good For Productivity?
If you are looking to make a workstation for productivity, then either chipset is a good choice. Both perform the same when it comes to multitasking, as there isn’t much difference in cores or threads. This is something you need to keep in mind. Since there is no difference between the two, you may have to go with which performs better under pressure, and the 5800x is the clear winner in that field.
If you are looking for something that is stable in any condition, then 5800x is the best bet. Not to say that the 3800x is bad or outdated, but with the slightly improved performance of the 5800x, the longevity is improved if this is the first chipset you are putting into your new build.
Price Comparison
By the time I am writing this article, The Ryzen 7 5800X is around 20 bucks expensive as compared to the Ryzen 7 3800X. However, as you know, the prices keep changing and you should always check them before making your final decision.
When building a new PC, the one question many people ask is if they have to spend most of their budget on their chip. If you are someone who is looking for a budget build, then you can go for the Ryzen 7 3800x and save yourself some money.
Final Verdict: Which One Should you Buy?
To conclude, when you compare AMD Ryzen 7 3800x vs Ryzen 7 5800x, you will see that they are practically the same CPU on paper, but a significant difference in what we’ve found upon testing. However, apart from the increased CPU benchmark score, there is nothing much improved in the chip.
If you were deciding on which one you should buy for your PC build, my choice would be the Ryzen 7 3800x as the price is way lower than the 5800x. This way, you will be saving some money that could go into your GPU as neither chipset comes with integrated graphics.
However, just like now, when the price difference is just 20 bucks, I would definitely go for the latest one i.e. 5800X for sure.
Let me know what you think about it!
