The 3900x model was more affordable compared to the 3800x.
The 3900x model was more affordable compared to the 3800x.
For those thinking about a 5800x/5900x setup, the market can be tricky at the moment. Used 3800x vs 3900x are seeing slight gains, with the latter selling a bit more than the original MSRP. If you're upgrading now, it might have been more economical to own the 3900x. A 5900x consistently resells at a higher price point, usually under $100 even in worst scenarios. Over a couple of years, I expect its value to stay close to that gap. If it holds up or prevents an upgrade, a 5900x will likely be cheaper than a 5800x, regardless of pricing. The 5900x also tends to sell better than the 5800x, especially with more cores. Even the 5600x is priced high, and I doubt its value will improve significantly in just a couple years. These chips are priced very similarly, making them good candidates for strong resale in the near future.
I noticed 3800X locally on FB for 300 CAD. My 5600X was undervalued at 325, I listed 5900X for 700CAD and got 550 on a new CPU after two days. Selling my 3600XT kept me under 220. Sometimes bundling with a define c mini is necessary to reach the price I wanted. The resale market isn’t great, especially in my area.
Before Zen 3, buying a 3600 for $200-220 CAD was typical, likely contributing to the challenge of selling it for over $220. PC components tend to depreciate quickly. While the 3800x/3900x and 5800x/5900x have similar prices, owning a Ryzen 9 becomes more affordable after resale. Over the past two years, both the 3800x and 3900x have seen comparable drops, with the 3900x currently cheaper by about $20 compared to the 3800x when selling for an upgrade. Many overlook total ownership costs. The I5/I7 trend shows a similar pattern—new models cost $100 more than their predecessors, yet resale prices usually reflect a $100 difference, making the I7 slightly more valuable. Recent changes in core count and hyperthreading across newer generations have added complexity, confusing buyers when evaluating used items. Many opt to buy twice rather than invest more upfront, while others overestimate longevity, often spending far beyond what’s necessary. There’s a need for better guidance on long-term value.