Key Points
- The Ryzen 5800X delivers impressive speed and performance, outperforming previous generation chips and competing with Intel’s offerings in gaming and rendering tasks.
- The Ryzen 5800X features the Zen 3 architecture, 8 cores, 16 threads, a base clock speed of 3.8 GHz, and a boost clock speed of up to 4.7 GHz.
- The Ryzen 5800X is compatible with PCIe 4.0, offers backward compatibility with earlier AMD CPU versions, and supports up to 128GB of DDR4 memory.
The Ryzen 5800X, acclaimed as one of the greatest gaming and content production CPUs, may have already come to your attention if you’ve been shopping around. But before you pull the trigger on a processor like this, you should know what you’re getting yourself into.
We’ll discuss the Ryzen 5800X’s features, specs, and innermost secrets. You’ll want to avoid getting swayed by the buzz surrounding this processor and making a decision you might regret.
So, read this article before buying the Ryzen 5800X, and equip yourself with all the necessary knowledge to make the right move.
Ryzen 5800X: Overview
- 4.7 GHz Max Boost
- 100-plus FPS performance
- Socket AM4
- Can support PCIe 4.0 on X570 and B550 motherboards
Release Date and Price
Both gamers and computer fans eagerly anticipated the debut of the AMD Ryzen 5800X. On November 5, 2020, this CPU was introduced, and it rapidly earned a reputation for its outstanding performance and speed.
It was launched at $449, which many considered a little expensive at first. But during the chip shortages of the Pandemic, the pricing was practically justified. Now that the crises have died down, prices have come down too. So, it’s no surprise we can find this CPU for a better deal today.
Today, you can find this chip for as little as half the price if you know where to look. It hasn’t been that long since its initial release. So, that is a solid discount for such a powerful CPU.
Different Models
AMD has several CPUs in the Ryzen 5000 series that offer variable performance and pricing ranges. The AMD Ryzen 5950x, the 5800X’s bigger sibling, comes first.
With sixteen cores and thirty-two threads, it is better suited for densely threaded applications like 3D modeling, animation, and video rendering. However, sitting at the top of the price range makes it a much bigger investment.
The other models in the lineup include the 5900x, which runs just over $100 more in price, making it a tempting bargain. For the extra money, you get 12 cores and 24 threads, and an additional cache.
There is also the lesser-known 5800X3D, which comes with roughly 11% lower base and boost clock speeds, but an extra 64MB of cache compared to the standard 5800X. Both CPUs are based on the same architecture, although the 5800X3D will set you back roughly another $100.
It is slightly more powerful than a standard 5800X, but if you’re going to spend the extra money, the 5900X is a better deal.
Features
The AMD Ryzen 5800X is a powerful CPU with several characteristics that deliver outstanding performance for various application scenarios.
Some of the features that set it apart from its competitors are the Zen 3 architecture packing 4,150 million transistors, eight cores, sixteen threads, a base clock speed of 3.8 GHz, and a boost clock speed of up to 4.7 GHz.
The Ryzen 5800X also includes 32MB of L3 cache, which reduces latency and improves speed in general. Its most welcome feature is denoted by the ‘X’ in its name.
This is AMD’s way of saying that its multiplier is unlocked and freely capable of overclocking. For PC enthusiasts, this is the icing on the cake that makes this processor even more desirable.
Specifications
| Architecture | Zen 3 |
| Cores/ Threads | 8/ 16 |
| Base Clock Speed | 3.8 GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | Up to 4.7 GHz |
| TDP | 105W |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB |
| PCIe Version | PCIe 4.0 |
| MSRP | $449 |
Ryzen 5800X: Review
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AMD rocked the PC world when they first dropped the Ryzen series. Giving Intel a run for their money, we got instantly hooked on the power and efficiency of the whole lineup. From the Ryzen 3, all the way up to the Ryzen 9, there is an AMD processor fit for every purpose.
The 5800X is part of the Ryzen 7 family. This processor is a one-size-fits-all thing. It can help gamers play their favorite games at high settings. It can also help video editors or professionals to run their desired software at a lightning-fast speed.
So, let’s have a closer look and see what it’s like using this top-of-the-line processor:
Graphics
We have to talk about graphics first, because… the Ryzen 5800X does not have any! The absence of integrated graphics means you’ll need to buy your own graphics card if you want to use this processor.
This is not exactly the end of the world, especially if you’re a gamer or content creator. You will want to upgrade your graphics card anyway, so being forced to isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you’re upgrading your existing CPU, you likely already have a decent graphics card installed.
Before you go through with the upgrade, though, find out what model graphics card you have. You don’t want to find out too late that you have an old, outdated card that will bottleneck your processor’s performance.
Compatibility
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is a great CPU with lots of power for demanding apps and games. However, a CPU’s greatness goes beyond its pure performance. Another important factor is compatibility; the Ryzen 7 5800X offers plenty in this area.
One of its standout features is its compatibility with PCIe 4.0, one of the latest standards that allow for higher data transfer rates. This is particularly significant if you are a content creator and professional who frequently works with massive files.
In addition to its impressive data transfer capabilities, the Ryzen 7 5800X is also a great option for future-proofing your system. With PCIe 4.0 support, this processor can take full advantage of the latest gear and devices as they become available. So, if you’re looking to upgrade your system for the long haul, the Ryzen 7 5800X is a great investment.
One of the great things about the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is its backward compatibility with earlier AMD CPU versions. What this means is that if you have an older Ryzen CPU, like a 3700, 2700, or even 1700, you can use the same motherboard. Since they are all socket AM4, the 5800X will fit in the same slot.
©Preechar Bowonkitwanchai/Shutterstock.com
But one warning you should heed if you’re upgrading an older motherboard is that a BIOS update might be necessary to ensure smooth compatibility! One of the most common problems when upgrading to a newer CPU is getting a black screen when you try to boot your system.
This will happen if you have an incompatible BIOS. Usually, all you need to do is update it. Taking care of the BIOS upgrade before the CPU upgrade will ensure this does not happen.
On the other hand, if you’re building a new system from scratch, selecting a compatible motherboard is crucial. Fortunately, the AM4 socket offers a wide range of options, catering to different budgets and requirements.
Whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or simply looking to build a reliable system, you won’t have difficulty finding a motherboard for the 5800X that suits your needs and preferences.
Memory
Memory support is another crucial factor for compatibility. The most popular type of memory utilized in modern computers nowadays is DDR4 or DDR5.
The latest standard is DDR5, which offers a modest improvement over DDR4. But the bad news is the Ryzen 5800X cannot run this new standard of memory. Instead, you’re relegated to DDR4.
This is a little disappointing, especially if you were hoping to be on the cutting edge for the foreseeable future. But the good news is that DDR4 is still more than adequate for most users.
With support for 3200MHz RAM, you’re not looking at low bandwidth by any means. Instead, this type of RAM will offer more than enough performance to run the latest games and applications.
Plus, the Ryzen 5800X supports up to a whopping 128GB of DDR4 memory. Such a massive store of memory will let you multitask without running into RAM shortages. Just make sure your motherboard also supports this much RAM if you want to max it out.
Speed
One of the most vital aspects of a processor’s stats is the raw speed. But there are a few things that go into this. The first is base clock speed and boost clock speed. The base clock speed on this CPU is 3.80GHz, which is already competitive. When called upon, the 5800X can boost up to 4.70GHz to satisfy demand.
As for benchmarks, this processor outperforms AMD’s previous generation chips and the 10th-gen Core i7 10700K (the latest i7 at the time the 5800X was released) in Cinebench R20, making it a clear choice for rendering and video encoding tasks.
In the realm of gaming, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X demonstrates a significant performance boost compared to its predecessor and poses strong competition against Intel’s offerings. For example, in F1 2019, the 5800X outperforms the Intel i7-10700K by delivering an additional 7 frames per second at a resolution of 1080p.
While Total War: Three Kingdoms presents an equally matched performance between the two processors and Metro Exodus slightly favors the 10700K, the discrepancies between the two platforms diminish as the resolutions increase, rendering them virtually negligible.
The Ryzen 7 5800X’s speed is quite impressive. It is an excellent choice for gamers and professionals who want a powerful processor that can easily handle various tasks.
Additionally, overclocking can offer some additional speed boosts. Depending on your motherboard, you might be able to overclock directly through your system’s BIOS.
But be careful messing around here, as you could damage your components if you’re not careful.
Power Consumption and Cooling
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is a high-performance CPU with amazing speed and power. However, high-performance CPUs consume a lot of energy, and as a result, will generate a lot of excess heat.
The Thermal Design Power (TDP) of the Ryzen 7 5800X is 105 watts, which is similar to its biggest competitor, the 10th-generation i7.
You’ll need a pretty hefty power supply to handle this level of energy consumption — a 500-watt or higher model will do the trick. If you have a high-end graphics card, motherboard, and lots of RAM, you might feel safer with an 850-watt minimum.
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One of the biggest complaints from buyers, and something you might notice if you’ve ever purchased a Ryzen CPU in the past, is that a cooler is not included this time.
Yes, even though AMD has been known to include their surprisingly high-quality stock “Wraith” cooler with most of their processors, it is missing from this model. You’ll need to buy your own aftermarket cooler instead.
Ryzen 5800X: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent multi-threaded performance
- PCIe 4.0 support for faster data transfer
- High base and boost clock speeds
- Efficient power consumption
Cons
- No in-built graphics
- DDR4 memory
Ryzen 5800X: Is it a Buy?
Buy it if…
You want a processor that can handle demanding gaming with ease.
There might be plenty of reasons to buy the Ryzen 5800X. But perhaps the biggest is that it is a fantastic option for gamers. Even the most demanding games can be played smoothly and responsively because of this CPU’s outstanding multi-threaded performance.
Gamers can also benefit from the PCIe 4.0 support to run more bandwidth-hogging graphics cards, such as the RTX 3000-series or even 4000-series.
You are a content producer who runs demanding apps.
The same reasons that make this chip good for gaming make it equally good for running creative apps like graphic design, video editing, animation, or even CAD software. So if you’re a content creator or professional, time saved from faster processing speeds equals money earned.
Additionally, content producers may overclock the processor to an even higher level for better performance. Thanks to its overclocking capabilities, you can push it to its theoretical limit without too much difficulty.
You want a powerful AM4 socket processor.
Thanks to the AM4 compatibility of this processor, you can easily find all the other components required to run the system in harmony, ensuring excellent results.
While the Ryzen 5800x is relatively expensive compared to the Ryzen 3 or Ryzen 5, if you want a powerful processor that can handle whatever you throw at it, it’s definitely worth considering.
Don’t Buy it if…
You have a limited budget and are searching for a more economical CPU.
There might not be that many reasons to avoid the Ryzen 5800X. But the price is one of them. This processor is more expensive than plenty of others on the market, so you don’t want to spend the money if you won’t use all its advanced capabilities. The good news is that it has gone down quite a bit in price since its initial launch.
You are looking for the absolute best gaming CPU.
There are better processors for gaming than the 5800X. There is no doubt about that. While the Ryzen 5800x excels at gaming, newer CPUs with more efficient architecture will give you more frames per second and ever smoother gameplay. But there is a cost.
Consider the Intel Core i9 12th generation or even the 13th generation. If you want to put your PC in this league, just get ready to drop some big bucks. The cost to get a little extra performance is substantial. If you want to stick with AMD, you can opt for the Ryzen 9 series as the next step up.
For what it is worth, the Ryzen 7 is enough for the vast majority of gamers. But if you want to squeeze those extra frames per second out of your gaming rig, you’ll need the best of the best.
You need PCIe 5.0 or DDR5 RAM.
The Ryzen 5800X does not support either of these. If you absolutely have to be on the cutting edge of PC technology, you’ll need something newer, like a Ryzen 7000-series CPU, to get the job done.
For now, the latest cards from Nvidia still support PCIe 4.0, and DDR4 is more than adequate for most users. Still, at three years old, the Ryzen 5800X is no longer the most future-proof option on the market.
- 4.7 GHz Max Boost
- 100-plus FPS performance
- Socket AM4
- Can support PCIe 4.0 on X570 and B550 motherboards
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Tester128/Shutterstock.com.
