differences, passwords and type of user they are intended for

AMD’s Ryzen processors have become, on their own merits, one of the most popular solutions among users. This is perfectly understandable, as since the debut of the first-generation models back in 2017, Ryzen processors have offered excellent value in price-performance ratio.a reality that has been maintained until the arrival of the Ryzen 5000, based on the Zen 3 architecture, as these have received a significant price increase and have been placed in a complicated position.

When AMD launched the first processors based on the Zen architecture, a very important revolution took place. It is true that these chips did not manage to outperform the Skylake architecture in IPCin fact they were halfway between Skylake and Haswell, but they did achieve something very important: democratize six-core and eight-core processors.

Prior to the advent of the Ryzen 1000, an eight-core, sixteen-thread processor, such as the Core i7 6900K, cost more than 1,300 euros.. This chip used the Broadwell-E architecture (IPC lower than Skylake). The Ryzen 7 1800X also had an 8-core, 16-thread configuration, and had an launch price of 569 euros. By 359 euros we could buy the Ryzen 7 1700. I think the figures speak for themselves, and help us to understand without problem why we have said that Zen marked an important revolution.

With the advent of Zen+, AMD introduced minor tweaks that slightly improved IPC versus Zen. The consecration of AMD’s MCM architecture came with Zen 2, a generation used in the Ryzen 3000 series that boosted the IPC to about the same level as Intel’s next-generation Core, and Zen 3 has been, as we know, the culmination of this architectureThis has allowed it to surpass Intel in terms of IPC, despite having to deal with the disadvantages of MCM designs.

There is no doubt that Zen 3 is a fantastic architecture, but unfortunately AMD has driven up the prices of the Ryzen 5000 series to such an extent that a Ryzen 5 5600X, with six cores and twelve threads, cost at launch €349.90whereas a Ryzen 5 3600 could be purchased for €209.90. The former offered better performance, but the price difference was so great that it was impossible to justify it. For that money we could even buy a Ryzen 7 3700X, which has eight cores and sixteen threads, and which cost less than 300 euros.

It is clear that AMD had at the time the most powerful processors available on the market, both in single and multithreaded performance. It is also clear that, as a company, their goal is to. make moneyand therefore it is within its rights to charge whatever it sees fit for its new processors. But let’s not forget, when it comes to assessing Intel’s and AMD’s strategies, that, at the end of the day, the objective of both is the same.When we talk about prices, they are limited to adjusting them to their position in the market, to the competition and to their popularity.

With the launch of the Ryzen 7000 we saw that AMD decided to keep launch prices high, even though. these were gradually reduced when Intel proved that it was able to compete again with the Sunnyvale giant. That new generation greatly improved the IPC compared to the previous one, made the leap to the 5 nm node and totally changed both the interconnection system, which went from being PGA to LGA. This meant the introduction of a new socket, and AMD took advantage of all these changes to jump on the DDR5 memory bandwagon and to embrace the PCIe Gen5 standard.

The arrival of this new generation did not displace the Ryzen 5000, quite the contrary. That family is still available, and at really affordable prices, which makes it a very interesting option for assembling a powerful PC at a contained cost, and also for upgrading an existing computer. For example, the Ryzen 5 5600 has been available for less than 130 euros, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a very interesting option for upgrading a gaming PC without having to change the motherboard or memory.

Ryzen processor families: architecture

In the introduction we have already touched in a simplified way on this topic. Currently we can find a total of four different architectures which AMD has used in its Ryzen processors, and also in its Threadripper families, aimed at the HEDT sector, and in its EPYC chips, aimed at the professional sector.

We should not forget that the Sunnyvale company was, after the launch of Piledriver (second-generation Bulldozer), more than five years without launching a new architecture to update its portfolio of high-performance CPUs, and yet, between 2017 and today has launched four new architectures. Impressive, isn’t it? If anyone doubts AMD’s recovery, I think this argument is more than enough for them to stop.

With this guide we want to help you internalize the differences that exist between the Ryzen 3-series, 5-series, 7-series and 9-series, but before we get into looking at that question, I thought it would be a good idea to review, in simplified form, the key features of each of these four architectures that AMD has released so far, all so that you have grouped, in a single article, the differences that exist between Zen, Zen+, Zen 2 and Zen 3.

Zen Architecture

It was key to AMD’s recovery. It was the leap from a monolithic core design to an MCM design. which introduced the CCX block as the base unit. Each CCX block had four cores and 8 MB of L3 cache. To create an eight-core processor, two CCX units were joined together, interconnected through an Infinity Fabric system.

This architecture was manufactured in 14 nm processand marked a huge leap over Bulldozer in terms of both IPC and efficiency. These were its most important keys:

• MCM design based on CCX units (four cores and 8 MB of L3).
• Operating frequencies limited to a maximum of 4 GHz (4.1 GHz on some “select” chips).
• 14 nm process.
• SMT technology, which allows each core to work with a process and a subprocess.
• IPC improvement of 52% over Bulldozer.

Zen+ Architecture

This is a minor revision of the Zen architecture, which introduced small improvements mainly focused on cache-level latencies, high-speed memory support, and produced a slight increase in maximum operating frequencies. This allowed a slight increase in IPC, and led to better support for high-performance RAM.

The Zen+ architecture made the leap to the 12 nm processand was a sort of intermediate generation with which AMD demonstrated that MCM designs were indeed viable in the high-performance mainstream consumer CPU market. We look at its keys:

• MCM design based on CCX units (four cores and 8 MB of L3).
• Higher operating frequencies that could reach 4.3 GHz with one active core (4.2 GHz with all cores active).
• 12 nm process.
• SMT technology, which allows each core to work with a process and a subprocess.
• IPC improvement of 4% (average) vs. Zen.

Zen 2 Architecture

This was, as we anticipated, the consecration of AMD’s MCM architecture, and marked an important revolution, as it redefined the foundations of that architecture. With this generation, AMD introduced the chiplet, or CCD unit.as a new starting point. Each CCD unit is made up of two CCX units, which integrate four cores and 16 MB of L3 cacheThis leaves a total of 32 MB of L3 cache.

Zen 2 uses the 7 nm manufacturing processa major leap forward compared to the 12 nm manufacturing process of Zen+ that allowed for improved all-around performance without sacrificing efficiency. Here are its keys:

• MCM design based on CCD units (two CCX units totaling eight cores and 32 MB of L3).
• Higher operating frequencies that could reach 4.7 GHz with one active core (4.3-4.4 GHz with all cores active).
• 7 nm process.
• Doubles the maximum cores and threads from 8 and 16 to 16 and 32 (Ryzen 9 3950X).
• SMT technology, which allows each core to work with one process and one thread.
• IPC improvement of 17% (average) vs. Zen+.

Zen 3 architecture

Enabled AMD to finally surpass Intel in terms of IPC, and was accompanied by a frequency bump that helped boost raw performance against tenth- and eleventh-generation Core processors.

Zen 3 uses the 7 nm manufacturing processThe same that we saw in Zen 2, but it introduces important architectural changes, among which we can rule out a monolithic design at the CCD unit level. These are no longer divided into two CCX units with four cores and 16 MB of L3 cache, but are integrated into a single block with 8 cores and 32 MB of L3 cache.which means that each core can access the total available L3 cache, and is no longer limited to 16 MB. We see its keys:

• MCM design based on monolithic CCD units (eight cores and 32 MB of L3 available to all cores).
• Higher operating frequencies that could reach 4.9 GHz with one active core (4.4-4.6 GHz with all cores active).
• 7 nm process.
• Maintains the maximum of 16 cores and 32 threads.
• SMT technology, which allows each core to work with one process and one thread.
• IPC improvement of 22% (average) vs. Zen 2.

Zen 4 architecture

With this generation AMD achieved a very important breakthrough not only in terms of raw performance, but also at the level of operating frequencies and platform, since as I told you earlier it has been the first of the Sunnyvale company to use DDR5 memory and to support the PCIe Gen5 standard. It is, therefore, a state-of-the-art generation.

Zen 4 maintains the chiplet division we saw starting with Zen 2, but brings profound changes at the architecture level and uses the 5nm node (chiplet CPU). The I/O chiplet uses TSMC’s 6 nm node, and unlike Ryzen 5000 and earlier now also includes an integrated GPU, giving them greater versatility and superior value.

The base CPU chiplet configuration remains unchanged, we have. 8 cores and 16 threads thanks to SMT technology and 32 MB of L3 cache accessible by all cores, but the L2 cache per core has been increased from 512 KB to 1 MBwhich translates into a higher level of performance. AMD has also kept the configurations with additional 3D stacked L3 cache, which are specialized for gaming. Here are their keys:

• MCM design based on monolithic CCD units with 8 cores and 16 threads (SMT technology) with 32 MB of L3 cache accessible by all cores.
• 1 MB of L2 cache per core, twice as much as in the previous architecture.
• Higher operating frequencies reaching 5.7 GHz (in single-core).
• TSMC 5 nm node.
• The maximum of 16 cores and 32 threads is retained.
• IPC improvement of 15% on average vs. Zen 3.
• AVX-512 instruction support.

Ryzen processors: keys and type of user targeted.

Now that we are clear on the differences between the four Zen architectures that currently exist, we are ready to look at the characteristics that define the different families of Ryzen processors.

In order to make this guide as useful as possible, we will not only go over their specifications, but we will also indicate the type of user they are intended forand we will see what we can expect from each of them to discover, in a simple way, in which environments they are at their best.

Without further ado, let’s get down to business. Keep in mind that each Ryzen processor will offer a different IPC depending on the generation in which it is framed.and therefore the latest models will have an advantage over older models in certain environments, even if they have a lower number of cores and threads.

Ryzen 3 1000 and 2000 series processors

They are configured with four cores and four threadswhich means that they are able to offer a good level of performance in basic tasks, and also with many of the games that do not require 8 threads to work properly, something that is frequent especially in pre-2020 games.

• They are based on the Zen (1000 series) and Zen+ (2000 series) architectures.
• They add 8 MB of L3 cache and have frequencies up to 4 GHz.
• They are very economical and have a contained consumption.
• They offer very good value for what they cost.
• They are aimed at users with tight budgets who want to enjoy acceptable performance with minimal investment.
• They do not offer a fully optimal experience with demanding applications, nor do they offer an optimal experience with most of the latest games.

Ryzen 3 3000 series processors

These processors maintain the configuration of quad-corebut can work with eight wires thanks to the integration of SMT technology.. They can run almost all current games well, except in very specific cases where the ideal is 6 cores and 12 threads.

• They are based on the Zen 2 architecture.
• They add 16 MB of L3 cache and have frequencies up to 4.3 GHz.
• They are economical and have a contained consumption.
• They offer reasonable value for what they cost.
• They are aimed at users with tight budgets who want to enjoy good performance with a contained investment.
• They do not perform well with very demanding multithreaded applications, but thanks to their eight threads they can handle most current games.

Ryzen 5 1000 and 2000 series processors

They are divided into two major groups, the 1400, 1500 and 2500 series, which feature. four cores and eight threadsand the 1600 and 2600 series, which integrate six cores and twelve threads. The former clearly lag behind the latter, which have aged better and offer superior performance. They are quite capable even in applications with a considerable degree of parallelization.

Remember that the Ryzen 5 1600 AF is a “disguised” Ryzen 5 2600.running at lower frequencies, which maintains the Zen+ architecture.

• They are based on the Zen (1000 series) and Zen+ (2000 series) architectures.
• The Ryzen 5 1400 series adds 8 MB of L3 cache, the others have 16 MB of L3 cache.
• The 1000 series models have frequencies up to 4 GHz, while the 2000 series can go up to 4.2 GHz.
• They are economical and have reasonable power consumption.
• They offer a good price-performance value, the Ryzen 5 1600 AF was, for a while, the best processor for less than 100 euros.
• They are aimed at users with tight budgets who want to enjoy good performance with a multitude of applications.
• The Ryzen 1600 and 2600 offer a good experience in demanding applications, and can handle current games, although their lower IPC is already noticeable.

Ryzen 5 3000 series, 5000 series and 7000 series processors.

All three add up to six cores and twelve threadsalthough the exception to the rule is the Ryzen 5 3500X, which have six cores and six threads. We have a good IPC in the 3000 series, a high IPC in the 5000 series and a very high IPC in the 7000 series. From a Ryzen 5 5600 onwards we can already run current games fully optimally.

• They are based on Zen 2 (3000 series), Zen 3 (5000 series) and Zen 4 (7000 series) architecture.
• They add 32 MB of L3 cache and have frequencies up to 5.3 GHz.
• The Ryzen 5 5600s are reasonably priced and offer good price-performance value. The Ryzen 5 7600X offer a very high IPC, but obviously cost more money.
• They are aimed at users with medium to medium-high budgets who want to enjoy good performance without falling into unnecessary excess.
• They perform well with very demanding applications in multithreading (the Ryzen 5 3500X is behind, as we have said).
• They can optimally run any current game, and have a good lifespan ahead of them (note the nuance applied to the Ryzen 5 3500X).

Ryzen 7 1000 series and 2000 series processors

They were high-end processors at the time, and therefore still offer, to this day, excellent performance. They add up to 8 cores and 16 threads, which means that they are capable of delivering good performance in many demanding multithreaded applications, and they also do well in games, although in those that rely more on IPC they show clear symptoms of burnout.

Their IPC is lower than that of the Ryzen 3000 series, which means that at low resolutions and in games that don’t scale well on multi-core CPUs, lose out to other models with fewer cores but higher IPCs.. However, this does not mean that they are not still perfectly viable for gaming, especially in 4K, where the CPU has less impact.

• They are based on the Zen (1000 series) and Zen+ (2000 series) architectures.
• They add 16 MB of L3 cache and have frequencies up to 4.3 GHz.
• They can be found at economical prices.
• They offer very good value for what they cost on the used market.
• They are aimed at budget-minded users who want to enjoy good performance in both multithreaded applications and gaming.
• They offer a good experience with demanding multithreaded applications, and can run current games without problems, although their lower IPC is already noticeable.
• They will have a long multithreaded lifespan thanks to their 8 cores and 16 threads.

Ryzen 7 3000 series, 5000 series and 7000 series processors.

These are mid-range processors that have been maintaining the 8-core, 16-thread configuration, but have been improve in IPC compared to previous generations. They also reach higher frequencies, and therefore offer higher raw power. They have very good gaming performance, especially from the Ryzen 7 5000 onwards, and hold up well in multithreaded applications.

• They are based on Zen 2 (3000 series), Zen 3 (5000 series) and Zen 4 (7000 series) architecture.
• They add 32 MB of L3 cache and have frequencies up to 5.4 GHz.
• Models with 3D cache have 96 MB of L3 in total.
• The Ryzen 7 3700X offered good price-performance value, but as of today the most interesting options are the Ryzen 7 5700X, which still performs very well in games, and the Ryzen 7 7700X, which is more powerful and also more expensive.
• They are aimed at mid-budget users who want to enjoy high performance and ensure a long lifespan.
• They perform very well with relatively demanding multithreaded applications.
• They can optimally run any current game.
• Options with 3D stacked cache, such as the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, offer maximum gaming performance and have very low power consumption, making them an excellent choice for those who want to use the PC primarily for gaming.

Ryzen 9 3000 series, 5000 series and 7000 series processors.

They form the high-end of AMD’s portfolio. The Ryzen 9 3900X, Ryzen 9 5900X and Ryzen 9 7900X (and Ryzen 9 7900X) total 12 cores and 24 threadswhile the Ryzen 9 3950X, Ryzen 9 5950X and Ryzen 9 7950X come with 16 cores and 32 threads. Their performance is excellent in multithreaded environments, and they perform very well in games, although obviously the Ryzen 9 5000 series and 7000 series have a higher IPC and run at higher frequencies, so they perform much better, especially in games.

• They are based on Zen 2 (3000 series), Zen 3 (5000 series) and Zen 4 (7000 series) architecture.
• They add 64 MB of L3 cache and have frequencies up to 5.7 GHz.
• There are models with 3D stacked cache totaling 128 MB of L3.
• The Ryzen 9 5900X offers a very interesting value today for the price drop it has experienced, and the same can be said for the Ryzen 9 5950X. The Ryzen 9 7900X and 7950X have a higher IPC and perform much better, especially in gaming, but they are more expensive.
• They are aimed at users with high budgets who want to enjoy high level of performance and use the PC for more than just gaming (streaming and gaming, for example).
• The Ryzen 9 5950X and Ryzen 9 7950X do not make sense in a PC dedicated exclusively to gaming, even if we plan to do streaming by pulling CPU. For that, a Ryzen 7 7700X or Ryzen 9 7900X in the worst case would suffice.
• They can cope with any workload with guarantees, although they shine especially in multithreaded applications.
• The 7000 series versions with 3D stacked L3 cache perform better in games, but having two different chiplets, one with stacked cache and one without that extra cache, they tend to perform a bit less than the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

Which processor is best for me?

It all depends on the configuration you have, or intend to assemble, your budget and what you are going to do with your PC. There are many variables, but in general lines we can establish that, right now, the gaming processor with the best price-performance value in general that we can find in AMD’s catalog for less than 150 euros is the Ryzen 5 5600.

If you want to enjoy a very high level of performance and assemble a configuration ready for the future and with a long life, able to withstand without problems all the current generation and be prepared for the leap that we will see with the next generation of consoles be clear, you should bet on a Ryzen 5 7600X.

In case you aspire to the best possible performance in games your choice is very simple, you should go for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, a processor that as we told you in our review is currently the best for gaming. Its price is high, but there is nothing that performs better in its price range and power consumption.

Processors with more than 8 cores and 16 threads make no sense in a PC. dedicated exclusively to gaming. In case you are going to use your PC for basic tasks and office automation a Ryzen 3 will be the best option, and that will allow you to enjoy good performance with that kind of loads making a minimum investment.

On the other hand, if you are going to use the PC for gaming and streaming a Ryzen 9 7900X3D would make sense.while in those scenarios where our goal is to work with demanding multithreaded applications we should go for a Ryzen 9 7950X. The version with 3D cache of the latter would be a good option and to take into account if we also want to play games.