Difference Between Ryzen 7 3700x and Ryzen 9 3900x

If you play a wide variety of games or render videos, you will surely need a powerful processor for your system. You have no other option than having a top-performing CPU. With the Introduction of the latest Ryzen CPUs, gaming has become more fun and enjoyable than ever before.

With a lot of options available for those looking for AMD CPUs, it may be a little confusing to choose which AMD processor is the best. However, two of the latest AMD Ryzen processors – Ryzen 7 3700x vs Ryzen 9 3900x – are touted as the best in the market. There can’t be too much argument about that, considering that both of them are packed with multiple threads and clocks.

Now, comparing both CPUs side-by-side is another task we have embarked on to help people decide which CPU is better.

Comparing Ryzen 7 3700x vs Ryzen 9 3900x

Both the Ryzen 7 3700x and Ryzen 9 3900x CPUs are top-performing processors with top speeds and multiple threads. They are similar in performance, but also different in some ways. Our interest here is to compare both CPUs to find out which one is better suited for your system build. We are going to begin with their features.

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Ryzen 7 3700x vs Ryzen 9 3900x – features

Ryzen 9 3900X is AMD’s first Ryzen 9 CPU, and it has been equipped with multiple features. It’s a 24-thread, 12-core processor based on the latest 7nm microarchitecture. Ryzen 9 3900X comes with 70 MB of L3 cache and a base/boost clock of 4.6GHz/3.8GHz.

It also has a TDP of 105W and supports 3200 MHz DDR4 system memory. The memory controller of the Ryzen 9 3900x has been significantly improved over the Ryzen 7 3700x version, but it still indicates low latency which can obviously impact gaming.

On the other hand, Ryzen 7 3700x is a mid-range Ryzen 3000 CPU with 8 cores and 16 threads. Although both the Ryzen 9 3900X and Ryzen 7 3700x achieve similar core speeds, the 24-threaded Ryzen 9 3900X processor is 30% faster at multi-core computations because of its higher core and thread features.

The Ryzen 7 3700x has more improved cooler compared to the lower-end Ryzen 300 SKUs, but the cooler installed in Ryzen 9 3900X is much better.

One very obvious feature in Ryzen 9 3900X is the big increase to the instructions per clock. AMD says it was possible to increase the 3rd generation Ryzen IPCs by 15%. Both processors are using the 7nm architecture, which has allowed for increase in cache size.

However, while Ryzen 7 3700x boast of 36 MB cache size, Ryzen 9 3900x offers a whooping 70 MB cache, which is almost twice what its predecessor offers. Again, this adds to the speed levels of the processor, as it retains its claims as one of the fastest processors ever produced. It’s obvious that in terms of speed, Ryzen 9 3900x outperforms Ryzen 7 3700x and even gives the fastest Intel processors a run for their money.

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Ryzen 7 3700x vs Ryzen 9 3900x – Overclocking

With the Ryzen 9 3900x CPU, AMD packed 12 cores in its AM4 sockets, making it one of the most advanced CPUs in the world today. It’s also one of the best responsive CPUs for overclocking.

On the other hand, the Ryzen 7 3700x CPU is a bit unstable during overclocking. The only time it remained steady was when we boot at 4.5 GHz on eight cores. When you compared to the specific boost and take it to 4,300 MHz, the Ryzen 7 3700x accelerates in performance and increases in power consumption as well.

But with Ryzen 9 3900x, the overclocking outcome is better even when stretched to the limits. Although the system was not very stable when it was taken to the highest GHz, the result at 3.8 GHz was far clearer than what Ryzen 7 3700x has to offer.

From our overclocking result, it shows that the automatic overclocking through Ryzen master tools stops in few seconds or works on a limited level with an increase in clock speeds. Between the Ryzen 9 3900x and Ryzen 7 3700x, if you’re looking for the CPU with better overclocking feature, we will gladly recommend Ryzen 9 3900x because it remains more stable than its Ryzen 7 7300x counterpart.

But if we are talking about energy efficiency, we just have to give it to Ryzen 7 3700x. Yes, both CPUs have much better energy efficiency than previous models because of the shrink down to 7nm microarchitecture. But Ryzen 7 3700x scored better with 63% more energy efficiency than previous models compared to the 58% for Ryzen 9 3900X. This is understandable, considering Ryzen 9 3900X has more cores, more threads, and obviously more strength when the system is stretched.

Remember that both are compatible with motherboards with AM4 socket. If your motherboard only has Intel LGA 1151 socket, the CPUs will not be compatible with your system. So, it’s important to have a motherboard that supports AM4 socket if you want the Ryzen 7 3700x or Ryzen 9 3900x to work in your system.

Ryzen 7 3700x vs Ryzen 9 3900x – performance

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that a processor with 12 cores, 24 threads, and 4.6 GHz boost clock speed performs like an absolute beast. The Ryzen 9 3900X processor deserves to perform that way. It’s certainly one of the fastest processors you can have without sacrificing much from your wallet.

But when it comes to offering a better value for money, you should rather go for 8-core, 16-thread Ryzen 7 3700x processor because you get to gain close to the speed levels of the Ryzen 9 3900X model at a more affordable price.

When we tested both processors in terms of performance using both Cinebench and Cinebench R 15 performance benchmarks, Ryzen 9 3900X scored an impressive 38,467 and 3,024 against 34,002 and 2,874 for Ryzen 7 3700x. The difference is not that huge, but when you are playing the toughest of games with high graphics requirements, that’s when Ryzen 9 3900X shows its class.

It is even far more impressive than its Intel Core i9-9900k competitor which is sold about the same price.

However, the huge leap in performance doesn’t really maintain the same levels when it comes to single core performance. That is where Intel still leads.

But our concern here is on the Ryzen 7 3700x vs Ryzen 9 3900x face-off, which Ryzen 9 3900x is managing to win, albeit not a landslide victory.

As far as gaming is concerned, the general understanding which is still applicable in the gaming industry is the fact that single-core performance is still the ultimate.

However, this rule of thumb is gradually changing as a lot more modern games are altering the status quo. Multi-core performance is increasingly becoming more used.

For example, our benchmark with the game Total War shows that Ryzen 9 3900x experienced higher frame rates at 1080 than Ryzen 7 3700x.

Ryzen 7 3700x vs Ryzen 9 3900x – benchmarking

We also tested both processors with different gaming benchmarks to where their gaming strength resides.

On Civilization VI, Ryzen 7 3700x scored 136 fps while Ryzen 9 3900X maintained an average of 142 points. The difference may not be massive, but it’s still going to be noticeable for an enthusiastic gamer.

The result for Far Cry 5 is even closer, with Ryzen 9 3900X scoring 116 fps while its Ryzen 7 3700x counterpart scored 115 fps. This shows only a difference level of 1 fps. Even the most experienced gamer will not notice any performance difference when playing Far Cry 5 with either of these processors.

We also tested both CPUs performance with popular racing game Grand Theft Auto V. Our result shows that Ryzen 9 3900X was far ahead by scoring 158 fps against Ryzen 7 3700x which scored 133 fps. This is the only game where Ryzen 9 3900X showed a clear superiority over Ryzen 7 3700x.

Ryzen 7 3700x vs Ryzen 9 3900x – compatibility

As we mentioned earlier, both processors are compatible with the 300 and 400 series motherboards, as well as the new PCIce 4.0 X570 motherboard using the AM4 socket. So, you need to have the matching motherboard if you want to enjoy the top features of either of these CPUs.

Ryzen 7 3700x vs Ryzen 9 3900x – value for money

This is always a criterion for most gamers looking to buy the best gaming CPUs money can buy. If we are pitching Ryzen CPU against Intel CPUs when it comes to value for money, the choice will be obviously the Ryzen CPUs because they are cheaper. But since we are comparing Ryzen 7 3700x vs Ryzen 9 3900x, we have to look at several indices. Again, both CPUs are not too far off between themselves.

One main difference between the Ryzen 9 3900x and the Ryzen 7 3700x processor is the fact that the former has 12 cores and 24 threads while the later has 8 cores and 16 threads. So, from the additional 4 cores and 8 threads, one can say the Ryzen 9 3900x may be faster and better at more high-end computing tasks. However, considering the price difference between the two, we can’t say Ryzen 9 3900x provides a better value for money.

If you take price out of the comparison, we will go for Ryzen 9 3900x any day. But since Ryzen 7 3700x is far cheaper than Ryzen 9 3900x, you could get more value for your money if you settle for the 12-core, 16-core Ryzen 7 3700x processor.