If you only looked at dollars, cents, and cores, you might think that the new 12-core AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, which won Editors’ Choice, is the best desktop CPU to compete with the Core i9-10900K, which has ten cores.
(They should both sell for about $550.) But in our tests, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X ($449), the next-to-last processor in the company’s new “Zen 3” Ryzen 5000 line, beats the Core i9-10900K in both game and productivity tasks.
Also, check out our separate post on Best AM4 CPU
Even though the Ryzen 7 5800X has two fewer cores than the Core i9, it’s Zen 3 architecture boosts it enough to make it a natural value pick among this year’s high-end CPUs.
Like the Ryzen 9 5900X, it’s too much for most people to use just for games at 1080p or 1440p, especially since the Ryzen 3 3300X is still very good. But if you want a well-designed, all-around high-end processor that won’t break the bank, the Ryzen 7 3800X should be on your list. It has a lot of muscles and is a winner of the Editors’ Choice award.
PROS & CONS
- The price is excellent for how well it handles multiple tasks.
- Ryzen’s single-core speed reaches new heights.
- Most game scores are the same or better than Core chips.
- A low TDP
- Compatible with Socket AM4
- Little room for speeding up
- No wrapped-up cooler
AMD RYZEN 7 5800X SPECS
| Core Count | 8 |
| Thread Count | 16 |
| Base Clock Frequency | 3.8GHz |
| Maximum Boost Clock | 4.7GHz |
| Unlocked Multiplier? | Right |
| Socket Compatibility | AMD AM4 |
| Lithography | 7 nm |
| L3 Cache Amount | 32 MB |
| Thermal Design Power (TDP) Rating | 105 Watts |
| Integrated Graphics | None |
| Bundled Cooler | None |
Based on dollars, cents, and cores, the new Editors’ Choice-winning 12-core AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is the best desktop CPU to compete with Intel’s 10-core flagship, the Core i9-10900K. Both should fetch $550. In our tests, AMD’s eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 5800X ($449), the next chip down in its new “Zen 3” Ryzen 5000 stack, outperformed the Core i9-10900K in gaming and productivity.
The Ryzen 7 5800X has two fewer cores than the Core i9, but it’s Zen 3 architecture makes it a good value among high-end CPUs released this year. The Ryzen 9 5900X, like the Ryzen 3 3300X, is overkill for gaming at 1080p or 1440p. However, the Ryzen 7 3800X is a well-engineered, well-rounded, affordable high-end processor: editors’ Choice winner and muscle-bound overachiever.
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Specs: Filling Out the Zen 3 Top End
Our Ryzen 9 5900X review covers all AMD’s Zen 3 desktop CPU upgrades. Here are the specs for the first four chips in the Zen 3 desktop stack of Ryzen 5000-series CPUs.
AMD Zen 3 Spec and Pricing Breakout
| Ryzen 9 5950X | Ryzen 9 5900X | Ryzen 7 5800X | Ryzen 5 5600X | |
| List Price | $799 | $549 | $449 | $299 |
| Cores | 16 | 12 | 8 | 6 |
| Threads Supported | 32 | 24 | 16 | 12 |
| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 64MB | 32 MB | 32 MB |
| Base Clock | 3.4GHz | 3.7GHz | 3.8GHz | 3.7GHz |
| Boost Clock | 4.9GHz | 4.8GHz | 4.7GHz | 4.6GHz |
| TDP Rating | 105 Watts | 105 Watts | 105 Watts | 65 Watts |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 | AM4 | AM4 |
We’ve evaluated the Ryzen 9 5900X and Ryzen 7 3800X, and we’ll review the other two in the following weeks. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is the third-most powerful CPU in the late-2020 Zen 3 stack, behind the $549 12-core/24-thread Ryzen 9 5900X.
ExtremeTech(Opens in a new window) reviewed the 5900X and 5950X while we reviewed the 5600X and 5950X. This new Origin Chronos PC’s Ryzen 9 5950X was also examined.
AMD supports practically every midrange and high-end pricing category with CPUs that fit almost any budget, save for budget system builders, as shown in the above spec breakout. However, we expect Ryzen 5000/Zen 3 CPUs to follow soon.
Next, let’s compare the Ryzen 7 5800X to its AMD Zen 2 predecessors and Intel’s “Comet Lake” 10th Generation Core competitors.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X: Specs Compared
| AMD Ryzen 7 5800X | AMD Ryzen 9 5900X | AMD Ryzen 7 3800X | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Intel Core i7-10700K | Intel Core i7-10900K | |
| List Price | $449 | $549 | $399 | $499 | $374 | $488 |
| Cores | 8 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 10 |
| Threads Supported | 16 | 24 | 16 | 24 | 16 | 20 |
| L3 Cache | 32MB | 64MB | 32MB | 64MB | 16MB | 20MB |
| Base Clock | 3.8GHz | 3.7GHz | 3.9GHz | 3.8GHz | 3.8GHz | 3.7GHz |
| Boost Clock | 4.7GHz | 4.8GHz | 4.5GHz | 4.6GHz | 5.1GHz | 5.3GHz |
| TDP Rating | 105 Watts | 105 Watts | 105 Watts | 105 Watts | 125 Watts | 125 Watts |
| Socket | AM4 | AM4 | AM4 | AM4 | LGA 1200 | LGA 1200 |
The Ryzen 7 5800X outperforms the Intel Core i7-10700K in power draw and traditional motherboard compatibility. Both have eight cores and 16 threads. The 10th Generation Core CPUs’ LGA 1200 socket requires a new motherboard. A late-model AMD board may support the Ryzen 7 3800X’s AM4 socket.
With a BIOS update, an X570 or B550 AMD board can run Zen 3 chips, and many X470 and B450 motherboards should function with Zen 3 CPUs in early 2021. If you already have a Socket AM4-compatible motherboard, you might expect to save a lot of money; however, there is no bundled cooling.
AMD has not included bundled coolers like the Wraith Prism(Opens in a new window) with its top-end processors since its Ryzen 3000 XT CPUs were released earlier this year, expecting customers to buy their air or liquid coolers to install during setup.
Intel leads in boost clock speed, which has been its gaming advantage for two generations of CPUs. But are boost clocks enough to push the company’s ageing 14nm++ architecture to a performance lead? Let’s check out our benchmarking suite.
Testing the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X: The Zen 3 Sweet Spot?
We placed the Ryzen 7 5800X into an MSI MEG X570 Godlike AM4 motherboard (our regular test platform for latest-generation Ryzens) and filled two DIMM slots with 16GB of 3,000MHz RAM. CPU testing was video output by an Nvidia GeForce GTX 2080 Ti.
(Like subsequent Ryzen desktop processors without “G,” these first four Zen 3-based Ryzens require a video card because they lack on-chip graphics.) An NZXT Kraken Z63 cooled our benchmark runs (Opens in a new window) 280mm closed-loop liquid cooling solution with fan profiles set to our Godlike’s BIOS defaults.
We analyse CPUs using proprietary synthetic benchmarks, consumer software like 7-Zip, and 3D games like Far Cry 5. Below are several comparable AMD and Intel CPUs.
CPU-Centric Tests
Prioritise the Ryzen 7 3800X and Intel Core i9-10900K. Brief version? Intel’s embarrassed.
The $549 Intel Core i9-10900K leads the Ryzen 7 5800X in some runs, but it didn’t win enough gold to justify the price difference. The Core i9-10900K beats the 5800X in all-core POV-Ray and iTunes, which tied Cinebench R15.
Intel’s hopes were dashed during our testing. Despite having a 20% less boost clock, the Ryzen 7 5800X defeated the Core i9-10900K by 25% in Cinebench R15 single-core. Then came the multi-core tests, which needed closer save for Intel’s two (slight) wins.
Since the original Zen introduction, Ryzen CPUs have led these scores when comparing like-priced processors, but Intel trails more than ever when considering the price-to-performance ratio.
Rephrase that: Even with two extra cores, the 10-core Intel Core i9-10900K loses on some multi-thread-aware benchmarks to the eight-core Ryzen 7 5800X, and given the power imbalance, Intel always loses here. As we theorised in our Ryzen 9 5900X review, these wins in single-core and multi-core performance are due to all the design and layout optimisations that make Zen 3 different from Zen 2.
AMD is reaping the rewards after years of iterating and perfecting the Zen architecture. These tests showed that neither Zen 3 processor was objectively “worse” than Intel’s comparable products. The two Zen 3 processors tested so far outperform 10th Generation Intel Cores in an economically difficult period when purchasers require the most performance for their dollar.
Gaming at the High End: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Frame Rates
Our GeForce RTX 2080 Ti gaming testing showed this. This high-end consumer graphics card determines 4K performance for all CPUs below. However, at 1080p, the card makes the CPU differences emerge.
Since most games use six cores, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X’s eight cores are just above the “necessary” threshold for a gaming CPU. The Ryzen 7 5800X outperforms the Ryzen 9 5900X in every 1080p gaming test.
Go through our epic guide on AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
This implies it beats most of the outcomes the Intel Core i9-10900K, the fastest processor for 1080p gaming in 2020, achieved in the same runs. The Core i9-10900K excelled in Hitman: Absolution and Tomb Raider (2013). These tiny wins don’t close the $100 difference between it and the AMD 7 5800X.
A Brief Look at Overclocking and Thermals
The Ryzen 7 5800X never exceeded 69 degrees C while overclocked or at stock, compared to the Ryzen 9 5900X, which reached 71 degrees C.
To continue our comparison with Intel’s Core i9-10900K, which maxed out at 79 degrees C during temperature testing, Zen 3’s many innovations, culminating in this chip’s 105-watt TDP, keep the 5800X cooler than the competition even in the most demanding scenarios. Multi-core content production activities above 10 minutes are included.
Finally, we obtained a consistent overclock of about 10%, shockingly 4% less than the 12-core Ryzen 9 5900X. Like the Ryzen 9 5900X, it didn’t matter. Overclocking the chip either increased or decreased real-world benchmark scores or frame rates. The 5800X squeezes most of the silicon juice out of the package.
Verdict: Gamers Will Go Ga-Ga
Intel’s “Rocket Lake” desktop CPU update will ship 14nm++ CPUs in early 2021. AMD’s Zen 3 processors drive Intel’s desktop CPUs into a deeper defensive crouch.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X isn’t Zen 3’s fastest content creator. This Zen 3 CPU’s price-to-performance in gaming and content work sets it apart from other new-generation AMD and Intel CPUs we’ve evaluated. The CPU is ideal for media editing and rendering. It also leaves little to be desired when playing your favourite 1080p game.
It’s a beautiful gaming chip, but if you’re on a budget and want a pure gaming CPU, consider the Zen 2-based Ryzen 3 3300X. If past benchmarks are any indicator, the six-core Ryzen 5 5600X ($299) announced with the Ryzen 7 5800X may appeal more to gamers than the latter. We’re excited to test it.
Today, the Ryzen 7 5800X offers a great blend of pricing (under $500), performance, and core/thread count for photo/video work and competitive, frame-rate-sensitive games. AMD’s desktop dominance grows.
Conclusion
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, with cutting-edge processors, shines like a bright gem, combining computing skills and new ideas smoothly. The crescendo of its performance symphony combines power and speed in a way that works well, redefining the limits of what digital can do.
When we look back at the path we’ve travelled, it’s clear that the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is more than just a part; it’s a sign of how silicon art has changed over time. Its octa-core design dances gracefully through complicated tasks and effortlessly handles the complexities of modern computing.
In a time when CPU requirements are like intricate tapestries of binary choreography, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X stands out as the choreographer, coordinating threads, cores, and cache with ease. The Zen 3 architecture’s symmetrical dance brings out the best in each task, whether artistic design, computational analysis, or immersive gaming.
FAQs
Is the Ryzen 7 5800X a good processor?
To sum up, Ryzen 7 5800x has excellent speed for streaming and gaming. And also for making content. It’s a great choice if you want to build a new computer.
Is Ryzen 7 5800X still good for gaming?
Yes, this AMD processor is for games, but the Ryzen 3700X is cheaper if you want something similar. The differences between the two are: The 3700X is 40W less powerful than the 3800X, which is 105W.
Is Ryzen 7 5800X good for gaming and streaming?
Because it has 16 threads and a reasonably high clock speed, the Ryzen 7 5800X can stream at 1080p while running a game on the same machine. It works great for most streaming situations in high settings without noticeable quality loss.
Is Ryzen 7 5800X fast?
With a base clock speed of 3.8 GHz, a maximum boost clock speed of 4.7 GHz, and 32MB of L3 Cache, the Ryzen 7 5800X is designed to give you the power to do everything from creating content to engagingly playing games.
Does Ryzen 7 5800X support 4K?
The GPU is so important for 4K that you don’t need a high-end CPU. I watched a good movie about assembling a Ryzen 5 3600 and an RTX 3080. Even at 1080p, the Ryzen 5 3600 did pretty well, and there needed to be more of a slowdown to make pairing it with the RTX 3080 a bad idea.
