Some queries on CPUs and my cooling setup
Some queries on CPUs and my cooling setup
I'm considering upgrading from my 3700x to a higher-end CPU. The 5800x3d and 5900x are both available now, with prices around £340. It seems like a good moment to purchase. I have some questions before making the decision. Which one would perform better? The 5800x3d or the 5900x? I’m looking for improved gaming performance but also want extra cores for tasks like handbrake and audio editing. Tools such as Abelton could benefit from both. Regarding cooling, my current Arctic freezer 34 esports duo works fine for my 3700x. I’ve seen videos showing it running at higher frequencies, like the i7 12700k, and a Reddit post mentioning success with the 5900x even at lower temps. So, should I stick with my current cooler?
Uncertain about the CPU, but if the cooler functions correctly, it should perform adequately.
I recently moved from 3700x to 5800x3d. My thoughts on Handbrake are limited, but I notice a big boost in responsiveness and reduced latency. It really depends on your music style—this extra cache helps a lot with poorly optimized plugins. If you mainly work with a few tracks, many VSTs or big samples like Omni Sphere (also not well optimized), complex sounds, or orchestral pieces, this upgrade is the key. On the other hand, if you use lots of instruments across several tracks, especially orchestral or cinematic projects with high vocal counts, more cores might be better. — Edited January 4, 2023 by lotus10101
You're using a 212 EVO Black, holding it at about 60 degrees in music apps and around 75 degrees in games. That's all good to go!
I'm a beginner in DJing and producing. I create my own music and remix existing tracks. My primary software is Abelton, which includes the arcade plugin and various utilities. My mixes feature many instruments, vocals, and samples. Large sets can contain up to 12 tracks. This puts significant strain on Abelton's CPU. When it slows down, the CPU becomes unresponsive and Abelton crashes. Increasing the buffer size to 512 helps slightly, but ideally it should be around 256 or even better at 128. I'm aware that Abelton leverages multiple cores for performance—more cores mean faster processing. A quicker 8-core processor would be beneficial. Additionally, it consumes a lot of RAM, often utilizing most of my 32GB. Handbrake also utilizes all available cores directly. The more cores you have, the quicker encoding becomes. This is why I compress my YouTube videos before uploading.
What genres are you into? What sound card are you using? Either option will provide stronger processing power. A 12-track setup shouldn’t require such a large buffer even for a 3700x, which is why I’m curious about your audio hardware—using a good Asio driver or high-quality audio device can really change things. How fast are you running your 32GB RAM? The MHz and timing settings significantly affect performance, often boosting it by 15-25% in some scenarios. You’re not exceeding 50+ mixer tracks, so it looks like you’re routing many sources through a few lanes. I’d say your CPU might be struggling with heavy plugins or high RAM usage, which could be the issue. If that’s the case, go for X3D; its cache handles buffering independently, helping reduce buffer size in Ableton and easing the load from large sample libraries. If your RAM is slower, it won’t noticeably impact the 5800x3d, but it will affect the 5900x more—especially if you’re running high volumes. For orchestral or cinematic work, using 90+ mixer lanes with hundreds of instruments and effects is common; in that scenario, extra cores are more valuable. Ultimately, both options are solid, but X3D seems better suited for your audio needs right now.
I enjoy hardcore, hardcore and trance music. My setup uses an old soundblaster z, which isn't perfect. The front pannel connector is damaged, so I connect the headset to the rear of the card. Sometimes it stops working, so I have to turn it off at the power for a while to fix it. Previously it was a solid card. I also own a 1000 watt 5.1 surround system and use a razer headset at night to avoid annoying neighbors. My RAM is running at 3200 MHz with CL 16. It was the top 32 GB configuration I could get at the time, but it performed very well. Kingston Hyper X Fury Beast is what I’m using now. Thanks for the tips. I’m planning to upgrade to the 5800x3D. Honestly, it offers the best of both worlds. A few cores would be great, but the 5800x3D seems like a better choice overall. It should improve my gaming and audio experience.
The SoundBlaster could be contributing to your buffer size problems. The sound quality is decent, but for serious audio work the drivers and DAC aren’t ideal—especially in real-time situations. Consider using Focusrite or Presonus cards, which are affordable and perform well. Their drivers offer solid performance with low latency and reliable hardware, even on entry-level models like the Focusrite 212 or Presonus Studio 24. For higher settings, you can still use them without major issues. If budget isn’t a concern, the 5900x is widely available used, making it easy to upgrade or trade. The 5800x3D is also common on the second-hand market, so you could sell or swap it if needed.
Hey there, this reminds me a lot—so many tough calls... but I’ll try again, maybe with different picks on the drugs or at least in how much. I lean more toward Hard House, Progressive, Dubstep and Hip Hop.