If you’re wondering if you should buy a Ryzen 3900X, you’re probably working on video or audio editing, or even gaming or content creation. Rest easy, because there is a way to remedy all of those issues without breaking the bank.
Ryzen’s third-generation processor, the 3900X, is an absolute monster, and we’ll lay out exactly why it should be the choice of any serious PC user in these ten simple points.
While Intel enthusiasts might claim that they have the best processors for gaming, the Ryzen 3900X really shows that AMD has some competitive edge, too. Read on for the major highlights of this heavy-lifting processor in more detail.
Reason #1: It’s Affordable Without Sacrificing Performance
Since they’re available at just $360 on newegg.com brand new, and you can find them at $250 and up for a used chip on Amazon, it’s an extremely affordable option. With all the power it brings to the table, that’s a hell of a bargain.
Other processors can cost well over the AMD Ryzen 3900X while still falling short regarding specifications, overall performance, and compatibility. It’s nonsensical even to consider otherwise.
The Ryzen 3900X is a prime choice for anyone building a serious computer and who takes computing seriously. If you clicked on this article, that’s probably you. Like you, we were highly impressed with its output versus cost ratio and its versatility. In a world of constantly steepening prices, why spend more to get less?
- Supports ECC memory
- Best at complex tasks
- Ultra-fast 100 plus FPS performance
- Comes with 12 Cores and 24 processing threads
Reason #2: It Has a 3.8GHz Base Clock
The Ryzen 3900X has a beefy 3.8GHz base processing speed. It is unlocked for overclocking and can be boosted to 4.3-4.6GHz fairly easily. Even if you don’t have much background in information technology, all you need is access to Youtube or a search engine.
Plenty of explainers are out there if you take even a cursory look around for one. It’s well worth the time if you want to get the most out of a Ryzen 3900X 12-core processing chip.
Even with the base clock at 3.8GHz, you can accomplish a lot. That puts it on par with or exceeding that of chips developed more recently, and the overclocking of it can make it superior to even newer chips. The features of the Ryzen 3900X processor chip allow for processing multiple programs at once, and can handle a lot of RAM relative to competing processors.
That extends its computing power in a huge way. More RAM paired with a killer processor like the AMD 3900X allows you to multitask efficiently and without hassle. It’s clearly an excellent choice for even the average PC user, much less a professional relying on fast, reliable computing.
Reason #3: You Can OverClock it Even Higher
As previously mentioned, it comes unlocked. This means you can overclock the processor through BIOS for optimal performance. This allows the user to run programs for which they otherwise would be under the necessary specifications to run them. This is especially important for rendering software, whereas GPU performance has a deeper influence on gaming (though processor speed can’t be disregarded.
Investing in upgraded cooling systems, such as an all-in-one liquid cooler or a comparable solution, is crucial to mitigate the risk of overheating caused by increased processing power. If you’ve recently acquired a state-of-the-art processor, the last thing you want is to fry it inadvertently.
Perhaps you’ve experimented with overclocking in the past, and initially, it seemed like a great idea. However, the excessive heat caused certain cores to burn out due to insufficient ventilation, resulting in a significant decline in overall performance. Don’t be that person.
You can overclock the Ryzen 3900X to get even more performance out of your chip.
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Reason #4: It’s Equipped With 12 Cores with 24 Threads
If you were building a rig a few years ago, 12 cores would have seemed like overkill. These days, It’s not exactly uncommon. Intel’s i9-9900K has 12 cores but a slower processing speed and is more difficult to overclock, so if you can build around the AMD 3900X. It’s the sort of difference that can mean a program running beautifully and crashing every time you open it.
The Ryzen 9 3900X’s impressive configuration of 12 cores and 24 threads sets it apart as a powerhouse for multitasking and resource-intensive workloads. With each core capable of executing two threads simultaneously through what AMD calls “Simultaneous Multithreading,” the processor effectively doubles its processing capabilities.
In other words, the Ryzen 9 3900X can effortlessly handle numerous tasks in parallel, making it a top choice for demanding users.
Reason #5: The AMD Ryzen 3900X Supports Multiple Operating Systems:
This processing chip supports Windows 10 and 11, and both 32 and 64-bit configurations of software, so it has a fair amount of versatility. If you’re not feeling Windows, you can always install Linux or Ubuntu too. Some users have even built Hackintoshes and installed Mac OS on systems using their Ryzen 3900X.
Given its wide compatibility with different operating systems, it is safe to say that even in a few years, the Ryzen 3900X will still hold up and be compatible with the latest software.
Compatibility is an often overlooked feature of many computer components, so whether you’re buying one off the shelf or custom building a rig for specific purposes, make sure that everything you’re getting can run older software after your computer ages a bit.
Reason #6: It Has a Formidable L2/L3 Cache
To appreciate the L2 cache and L3 cache on the Ryzen 3900X, you have to understand how these two types of memory work. The L2 cache is the intermediate cache between the processor and the main memory. It is larger than the L1 cache and operates at a slightly slower speed.
The purpose of the L2 cache is to store data and instructions that the processor is likely to need in the near future, reducing the time it takes to retrieve them from the main memory.
On the other hand, the L3 cache is a shared cache that is larger but slower than the L2 cache. It acts as a buffer between the main memory and the L2 cache, providing a larger pool of frequently accessed data for the processor cores to access.
Now, let’s discuss the specific case of the Ryzen 3900X processor. One of the key highlights of this processor is its impressive cache configuration. It boasts a generous 64MB of L3 cache, which provides a significant amount of high-speed storage for frequently accessed data shared among all the processor cores.
This larger L3 cache capacity allows the Ryzen 3900X to have a higher hit rate, meaning it can store more data than the processor cores are likely to need, minimizing the time spent waiting for data from the main memory.
In addition to the L3 cache, the Ryzen 3900X also features 512KB of L2 cache per core, resulting in a total of 6MB of L2 cache. With this configuration, the Ryzen 3900X maximizes data locality, keeping critical information readily available for each core, and reducing latency for gaming and other intensive tasks.
Reason #7: It’s the First Processor to Outperform a Comparable Intel Chip for Gaming, Video, and Audio Production PCs
This is a short announcement, but it seems AMD has finally outperformed Intel in the processor space. The Ryzen 3900X is the processor that crossed that finish line without breaking the bank. It’s totally worth it to consider running one of these in a serious gamers rig.
Benefits like this are applicable to almost all in the digital creation space, whether loading or creating a game, mixing that final version of the perfect song, or rendering the final cut of your blockbusting film, the Ryzen 3900X has you covered from the front end to the back end of production.
Ryzen is finally overtaking similar Intel processors.
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Reason #8: Its Stock Cooling System Is a Beast
The Wraith cooling system is designed to maintain the proper temperature for the operation of a chip as powerful as this one. Initially, it was used for older chips, but as the chips grew in strength, so did the Wraith cooler’s efficiency.
The Wraith is scaled to be similarly efficient at cooling a system but without the expected noise generation. It is engineered to have durable fins and lots of ventilation and cooling power, though being a bit on the bulky side.
This can make for a tight squeeze, but you should definitely find or make plenty of room if you have to though, because it’s the way to go for an AMD Ryzen 3900X chip. Honestly, bang for your buck, you’re probably not going to find a better compatible cooling system without striking gold, metaphorically speaking.
If you are looking to drop a bigger investment on your cooling system, the Ryzen 3900X is also compatible with a wide range of liquid coolers. If you’re doing any overclocking, the Wraith might not be sufficient. But a quality All-in-one liquid cooling system will do the job.
Reason #9: The Ryzen 3900X Supports Up to 128GB of RAM
Another great reason to buy the Ryzen 3900X is that it can support a truly impressive amount of RAM, topping out at 128 GB. While not many applications can really take advantage of this much memory just yet, it is still a win. Having as much RAM as possible ensures your PC stays future-proof.
However, one downside to this is that you don’t get support for DDR5. Since current operating systems support DDR4 with no hassle, you won’t run into a hard limit yet, but you also won’t enjoy the fastest memory speeds out there. If you want access to the latest RAM standard, you’ll have to look at a new processor like the Ryzen 5900X.
- Supports ECC memory
- Best at complex tasks
- Ultra-fast 100 plus FPS performance
- Comes with 12 Cores and 24 processing threads
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy It?
The AMD Ryzen 3900X strikes an excellent balance of formidable strength and overall utility with consumer cost. At less than $400, there’s little reason not to get one for a custom rig. Building a PC can be arduous, and selecting the right hardware is essential. You can rest easy knowing that this processor will have you covered well into the future.
And with its hearty stock cooling, overclock-friendly design, whopping 12 cores with 24 threads, and quiet operation, this processing unit is by far the superior choice for those who are looking to upgrade their CPU. Don’t sleep on this often looked-over gem in favor of a flashier model with slightly higher specs at hundreds of more dollars.
All in all, the Ryzen 3900X is the ideal choice for gamers, creators, or enthusiasts who are working within a budget but want a powerful processor. The AMD Ryzen 3900X is the perfect solution to their CPU woes. It’s relatively inexpensive, fits standard parts, and represents AMD’s overtaking of Intel in the gaming space, at the very least.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©RSplaneta/Shutterstock.com.
