Zen 4 promises to be a genuine advancement over Zen 3, offering significant improvements and new features.
Zen 4 promises to be a genuine advancement over Zen 3, offering significant improvements and new features.
My perspective is varied. Reviews are mixed, and it won’t be clear until the product launches. It’s scheduled for September 15, just over three months away. Comparing gaming performance and future high-end graphics cards between Zen 3 and Zen 4 systems with identical CPU cores is tricky. I wonder if Zen 4 will bring noticeable improvements. Will it significantly enhance performance for upcoming high-end graphics and games? Compared to Zen 3, will it feel much better? Regarding the new platform aspect, it might help if you’re not focused on extra ports or PCIe Gen 5, except for potential video card compatibility.
Moore's Law is no longer applicable, suggesting AMD, Nvidia, and Intel products may see only modest gains. The forecast predicts a 20-30% rise in single-threading and 30-40% in multi-threading, driven by better IPC and higher clock speeds. Intel could fall further behind in the next couple of years, though this remains uncertain. The Zen 4 chip demonstrated the ability to push single cores beyond 5.6 GHz with improved performance, and IPC gains of 7-9% were observed. This shift indicates a larger jump from Zen 3 to Zen 4 compared to the previous transition from Zen 2 to Zen 3.
Not from where I sit. I've explained this elsewhere, but this is how I see it. For starters, all new technology has bugs when first released. I never buy the first release of anything because of this. Next, all new releases are quite pricey when first released as well. For example, I bought a 5900X CPU in Sep 2021 at the princely sum of $621. Given that they were 12-18 months old at that point, I'd say it was probably pushing $750-$900 when first released. They are now around $400, and will probably drop more when AM5 / Zen4 is released. Whereas going by this, you can likely count on the AM5 being $1000 or more when released, supporting boards to be $500 or more, and prices for the DDR5 RAM and PCIE4 storage they require will go through the roof. PCIE4 storage is already twice the price of PCIE3, and DDR5 RAM is only relatively inexpensive because it isn't in high demand yet. And it's already been demonstrated that even for serious gaming, PCIE4 really doesn't offer much improvement. Maybe 0.5 - 1.5 second faster loading times, for roughly 200%-250% higher cost. PFFFT. Additionally, AMD has publicly stated that the AM4 platform is not going anywhere. Whether that means further development of the platform, it's hard to say. But nothing I do with my 5900X even makes it breathe hard, so it's not likely that anything is slated to hit the market that will require a 12-core or 16-core Zen3 for at least the next two to three years -- let alone an AM5 / Zen4. Simply put, if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it. The piece de resistance -- AMD is only boasting 5.5 Ghz from this platform. Some of us are getting that from AM4s or even older LGA1200s, so why pay through the nose for it and the components it will require? Supply and demand -- the mainstream companies like Dell, HP, Alienware, etc., have probably pre-ordered the first year's worth of production already. I could be wrong, but I doubt more than even a handful DIYers will even be able to get their hands on one for at least a year, maybe two. IMO, all of this adds up to the AM5 / Zen4 not being a good buy, if even cost-effective, when released, especially when a well-tuned 5800X / 5900X / 5950X should still be relevant for several years to come, if not more. I built an entire system with a 5900X and RTX3060ti (anything more is highway robbery these days) for around $2500, and that same build would run $2000-$2200 today. It screams and scores better than expected on CB R23. I see no point in spending 2-3x that for an AM5 if it's not going to serve my purpose any better than a $2000 RTX3080ti / RTX3090 upgrade. Not to mention AMD has blown one tentative release date, and set to blow another. So I fail to see why so many are salivating and clamoring to find out if / when AM5 will be released. If you've ever seen the movie Swordfish, it reminds me of what the villain says to his handler comparing fly fishing to masturbation without the payoff. I think anyone who gets their hands on one will simply be paying through the nose for bragging rights with no real demonstrable performance benefit over a well-tuned 5900X or 5950X for some time to come. Edited June 19, 2022 by An0maly_76 Revised, more info
You purchased the initial Zen3 chip, correct? It was priced at $549 when it first hit the market, assuming availability. Many individuals did, including some friends of mine. Is there solid proof to back this up? We’re not in the same worldwide context as when Zen3 was released, and that’s not a certainty. Where are you focusing your search? This isn’t very representative of what you’d find on Newegg or Amazon. Over the years, I’ve observed the shift from DDR2 to 3, then 3 to 4, and this current cycle is just as similar. With DDR5 becoming essential for AM5, it mainly aids production and pushes the goal of wider adoption, enhancing accessibility. Progress continues in this direction, just as with previous generations. Of course, there are no more CPUs or chipsets on the market we know of. It’s a solid platform, but it doesn’t stand out as the latest project for enthusiasts. Nothing is broken, yet that doesn’t mean progress stops. To be honest, I see your pride in the PC you assembled through your research. However, the landscape is changing rapidly—decades of development exist, and hobbyists love to try new advancements. Not everyone views their system merely as functional for basic tasks; many seek performance upgrades. The challenge isn’t just about cooling, but about clock speeds and architectural improvements. Ignoring these factors overlooks a key part of the story. Sure, an 8-core 5GHz all-core Ryzen 5000 and an 8-core 5GHz all-core Ryzen 7000 are different, with architectural and IPC enhancements being crucial. Plus, AMD has been promoting higher clock speeds for the Ryzen 5000 series that weren’t previously possible, making them viable without extreme cooling. Disregarding this perspective is unfair. I’m sorry to address you in this way, but my main aim here isn’t to promote an unannounced CPU line. It’s about recognizing that this conversation is about genuine progress in CPU technology, not about settling for what seems sufficient. And if you’re satisfied with your setup, that’s perfectly fine. What I’m trying to emphasize is that the focus shouldn’t be on unproven releases, but on understanding how advancements build over time.
Are you sure the 5900X is the initial Zen3? Even if it is, I purchased one at least 18 months ago. That’s the precise situation. Considering you could locate one, another factor comes into play—supply versus demand. I bought it for $4.83 on the East Coast last night, and diesel costs over $5.00. With such high fuel prices, you can confidently predict prices will stay elevated. Shipping isn’t free when companies absorb shipping expenses for inventory. We’re all navigating similar global challenges, albeit for different reasons.
First, NewEgg has faced criticism from several YouTubers about scams affecting customers. Besides that, gameplay comparisons between PCIE3 and PCIE4 storage show minimal real performance gains, though I see potential if a game depends heavily on storage buffering. Three months ago, I spent $186 on a WD Black SN850 and ended up swapping it for a $90 WD Blue SN570. I’ve attached a screenshot of my Amazon refund. Prices might have dropped, but with fuel costs rising, I doubt they’ll stay low.
As I’ve mentioned before, shipping adds to the expense. Unless the platform stops producing, these points remain relevant. And you’re hitting the nail on the head—new releases often attract attention, but whether they deliver value depends on your priorities.
Some expect unrealistic results with limited budgets, others cut corners and question performance, while others overspend only to later regret it. I’m not trying to boast—I’m someone who values practicality.
I’ve often wondered if a 5600X or a 3080ti would have been a better fit for my build, especially if I hadn’t had to upgrade later. I believe a 3080ti or 3090 could keep my current rig competitive through at least 2030, unless gaming software sees a major leap forward.
Your argument is valid: spending now on a proven system means paying more later for upgrades or the next-gen platform. The real question is whether the new tech is genuinely worth it when no games push its limits. It’s not about pride—it’s about making smart, cost-effective choices.
Some people assume everything will work perfectly out of the box, but that rarely happens. I’m just focused on getting value for my money.
I really don’t want to send another long reply (that took too long). I truly think you’re misunderstanding the whole picture, focusing too much on technical details and turning it into a “value for money” debate based on your own experience. That approach works well for beginners, but not here. I can’t help if you don’t see how better tech makes a real difference in what we already have. Zen+ builds on Zen, Zen2 on Zen+, Zen3 beats Zen2, 12th gen is a big upgrade over Zen3… and it keeps going like that. The belief that one platform will last forever isn’t exciting enough for those who love new tech. You missed what I meant about cooling and clock speeds. I was arguing against the myth that Ryzen 5000 chips are always running at 5.5+ GHz—they aren’t, and that would need special cooling. Ryzen 7000, on the other hand, is being promoted as doing that with regular cooling. That’s a big shift, so there’s no real debate about speed alone. The GPU selection game is changing fast; you can buy any GPU you want at a local store right now. The SSD debate is confusing—picking one high-end and one low-end drive doesn’t really matter much anymore, since prices are so similar. My point a year ago was strong, but now it’s different. Here’s a link for reference:
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-970-EVO-P...B07MFZY2F2
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Internal-...B07TLYWMYW
I appreciate your perspective, but it’s not worth repeating right now.
I'm just thinking about how the 5900X might not resonate equally with everyone, and why. I often question whether that particular choice made sense for my setup, especially when considering if an AM5 would be a better fit even for more dedicated gamers.
With the release of the Ryzen 5000, the 5600X offered satisfactory performance for most users. All tests confirmed its strength, with the 5800X and 5900X closely matching in gaming capabilities. It wasn't until later, when systems needed heavy multithreaded tasks requiring 8 to 12 cores, that the 5600X became truly valuable.
Exactly what you're saying. If 5600X meets the needs of most users and my 5900X seems adequate, then AM5 probably isn't needed soon. I believe it will better fit corporate network server roles than the consumer side. Even if it becomes relevant for consumers, it's smarter to invest in one around 3-4 years later when prices and stock might improve. Just a $0.02. Edited June 20, 2022 by An0maly_76 Revised, more info