Hey everyone, I'm considering an upgrade for my current PC setup, which includes an AMD Ryzen 7 5700X, MSI MPG B550 motherboard, 64GB of Corsair Vengeance LPX RAM, an RX 7800 XT GPU, and a 3440x1440 monitor. I play a lot of milsims like ARMA Reforger and other simulators such as BeamNG.Drive, Assetto Corsa, Farming Simulator, and Construction Simulator. I'm torn between upgrading to an AMD Ryzen 9 9900X or the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, both priced at $599.99 plus tax. I know the 9800X3D has superior performance thanks to its 3D cache, but I'm concerned about the ASUS TUF motherboard that comes with it, which I've heard mixed reviews about. The 9900X comes with an MSI X870E MAG Tomahawk, which seems more reliable. Also, I'm curious if spending an extra $60 for a 2x32GB Corsair Vengeance RGB kit over a 4x16GB G.Skill Flare X5 would make a noticeable difference, even though I'm not a fan of RGB. I'd love your advice on which CPU and memory setup I should go for, especially considering my use of CPU-intensive sims and Blender.
5 Answers
For gaming, the 9800X3D is a no-brainer. That cache really helps. But also consider how much of a squeeze you want on RAM capacity—2x32GB is better if you decide on 64GB. It simplifies the build process and helps avoid potential issues down the line with XMP profiles. Plus, you mentioned you're focused on CPU-heavy games and Blender, so the X3D should handle that better overall.
I'd say choose the 9800X3D if gaming is your priority. However, if you're also focused on productivity tasks, the 9900X could still serve you well, especially with that MSI board. Just remember, having a solid motherboard does matter; it's not just about chip performance.
I really want that MSI board too for long-term reliability, but it feels like a compromise between performance and stability.
Honestly, the 9900X might not be the best choice if gaming is your main focus since it generally lags behind the 9800X3D in performance for games. Plus, running 4 sticks at 6000MHz can be tricky; I'd recommend going with 2x32GB instead for that capacity. Just be aware that those Microcenter bundles are getting harder to justify these days due to limited options.
Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I'd pick the 9900X mainly for the better motherboard but it's good to know that the X3D is the better chip overall.
If you want the best gaming performance, you should definitely go for the 9800X3D. It consistently outperforms the 9900X in gaming scenarios. Regarding RAM, 2x32GB is generally more stable than 4x16GB when trying to hit those higher speeds, so that’s the route I’d take if I were you.
But what if Blender and those simulations are a big part of my upgrade? Wouldn’t more cores help there?
In gaming, the 9800X3D definitely has the edge due to its architecture. And for RAM, 2x32GB will likely give you better performance, especially with AMD's design. If the ASUS board scares you, maybe consider a bundle upgrade to the MSI X870E for the 9800X3D. Just something to think about!
Thanks for that tip! I might look into mixing and matching bundles to find what works best.
Definitely leaning more towards the X3D for gaming, but the 9900X does seem appealing because of that motherboard.