AMD Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9: differences, keys and type of user they are targeting

AMD's Ryzen processors have become, on their own merits, one of the most popular solutions among users. It is perfectly understandable, 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 remained until the arrival of the Ryzen 5000, based on Zen 3 architecture, as these have received a significant price increase and have placed themselves in a difficult position.

When AMD released the first processors based on the Zen architecture, a major revolution occurred. It is true that these chips did not manage to surpass, in IPC, the Skylake architecture, in fact, they were halfway between it and Haswell, but they did achieve something very important: democratize the six and eight-core processors.

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

With the arrival of Zen +, AMD introduced small adjustments that slightly improved the IPC compared to Zen. The consecration of the AMD MCM architecture came with Zen 2, a generation that was used in the Ryzen 3000 series and that triggered the IPC to place it, more or less, at the level of Intel's next-generation Core, and Zen 3 has been, as we know, the culmination of that architecture, since it 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 skyrocketed the prices of the Ryzen 5000 series, to such an extent that a Ryzen 5 5600X, with six cores and twelve threads, costs 349.90 euros, while a Ryzen 5 3600 can be purchased for 209.90 euros. The former offers higher performance, but the price difference is so great that, despite this, it is impossible to justify it. For that money, we could even buy a Ryzen 7 3700X, which has eight cores and sixteen threads and costs less than 300 euros.

It is clear that AMD has, right now, the most powerful processors on the market, both in single and multi-threaded performance. It is also clear that, as a company, your goal is to make money, and therefore you have the right to charge what you see fit for your new processors. But let us not forget, when we have to assess the strategies of Intel and AMD, that, in the end, the objective of both is the same, and that when we talk about prices they are limited to adjusting them to their position in the market, to competition and popularity.

Ryzen processor families: architecture

In the introduction, we have already touched on this topic in a simplified way. Currently, we can find a total of four different architectures that 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 must 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 catalog of high-performance CPUs, and yet, between 2017 and today it has launched four new architectures. Awesome, right? If anyone doubts AMD's recovery, I think this argument is more than enough to stop them.

With this guide, we want to help you internalize the differences that exist between the Ryzen series 3, series 5, series 7, and series 9, but before entering to see that question, I thought it would be a good idea to review, in a simplified way, the keys to each of those four architectures that AMD has launched so far, everything so that you can have grouped, in a single article, the differences between Zen, Zen +, Zen 2 and Zen 3.

Zen architecture

It was key to AMD's recovery. It marked the leap from a monolithic core design to an MCM design that introduced the CCX block as a 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 via an Infinity Fabric system.

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

MCM design based on CCX drives (quad-core and 8MB 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 thread.
52% improvement in the IPC compared to Bulldozer.

Zen + architecture

It is a minor revision of the Zen architecture, which introduced small improvements focused, above all, on the latencies at the cache level, the support of high-speed memories, and produced a slight increase in the maximum working frequencies. This allowed a slight increase in the IPC and led to greater compatibility with high-performance RAM.

The Zen + architecture made the leap to the 12nm process and was a kind of mid-generation with which AMD demonstrated that MCM designs were indeed viable in the high-performance consumer CPU market. We see its keys:

MCM design based on CCX drives (quad-core and 8MB of L3).
Higher working frequencies that could reach 4.3 GHz with an active core (4.2 GHz with all active cores).
12 nm process.
SMT technology, which allows each core to work with a process and a thread.
IPC improvement of 4% (average) compared to Zen.

Zen architecture 2

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

Zen 2 uses the 7nm manufacturing process, a major leap from Zen + 's 12nm manufacturing process that allowed performance improvements in every way without sacrificing efficiency. These are your keys:

MCM design based on CCD drives (two CCX drives totaling eight cores and 32MB of L3).
Higher working frequencies that could reach 4.7 GHz with an active core (4.3-4.4 GHz with all active cores).
7 nm process.
Double the maximum number of cores and threads, going from 8 and 16 to 16 and 32 (Ryzen 9 3950X).
SMT technology, which allows each core to work with a process and a thread.
17% improvement in the CPI (average) compared to Zen +.

Zen Architecture 3

It has finally allowed AMD to outperform Intel in terms of CPI, and it has been accompanied by an increase in frequencies that have helped to boost raw performance compared to 10th generation Core processors.

Zen 3 uses the 7 nm manufacturing process, the same that we saw in Zen 2, but it introduces important changes at the architectural level, 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 L3 cache but instead are integrated into a single block with 8 cores and 32 MB L3 cache, which means that each core can access the total L3 cache available, and is no longer limited to 16MB. We see its keys:

MCM design based on monolithic CCD drives (eight cores and 32MB of L3 available for all cores).
Higher working frequencies that could reach 4.9 GHz with an active core (4.4-4.6 GHz with all active cores).
7 nm process.
It maintains a maximum of 16 cores and 32 threads.
SMT technology, which allows each core to work with a process and a thread.
CPI improvement of 22% (average) compared to Zen 2.

Ryzen processors: keys and type of user they are targeting

Now that we are clear about the differences presented by the four Zen architectures that currently exist, we are ready to enter to see the characteristics that define the different Ryzen processor families.

In order for this guide to be of maximum use to you, we are not going to limit ourselves to reviewing their specifications, we will also indicate the type of user they are aimed at, and we will see what we can expect from each of them to discover, in a simple way, in what environments give their best.

Without further ado, we enter the matter. Keep in mind that each Ryzen processor will offer a different IPC depending on the generation in which it is framed and that therefore the most current models will have an advantage over the previous ones in certain environments, even if they have a smaller number of cores and threads.

Ryzen 3 1000 and 2000 series processors

They are configured with four cores and four threads, which means that they are capable of offering a good level of performance in basic tasks, and also with many of the games that currently exist.

They are based on the Zen (1000 series) and Zen + (2000 series) architectures.
They total 8 MB of L3 cache and have frequencies of up to 4 GHz.
They are very cheap and have contained consumption.
They offer very good value for what they cost.
They are aimed at users with tight budgets who want to enjoy a good performance with minimal investment.
They don't offer a totally optimal experience with demanding applications, and neither with most of the latest batch games.

Ryzen 3 3000 Series Processors

These processors maintain the quad-core configuration but can work with eight threads thanks to the integration of SMT technology. They can move optimally in almost all current games, except for very specific cases.

They are based on Zen 2 architecture.
They add up to 16MB of L3 cache and are clocked at up to 4.3 GHz.
They are inexpensive 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 a good return with a contained investment.
They do not perform well with very demanding multi-threaded applications, but thanks to their eight threads they can handle most of today's games.

Ryzen 5 1000 and 2000 series processors

They are divided into two large groups, 1400, 1500, and 2500 series, which have four cores and eight threads, and the 1600 and 2600 series, which have six cores and twelve threads. The former is clearly below the latter, who has aged better and can move any current set without problems and perform very well even with demanding applications that require a high degree of parallelization.

Remember that the Ryzen 5 1600 AF is a Ryzen 5 2600 "in disguise", operating 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 has 8MB of L3 cache, the others have 16MB 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 inexpensive and have a reasonable consumption.
They offer a very good price-performance value, the Ryzen 5 1600 AF was, for a time, the best processor for less than 100 euros.
They are aimed at users with tight budgets who want to enjoy the good performance with demanding applications.
The Ryzen 1600 and 2600 offer a very good experience in demanding applications and can handle any current game without problems.

Ryzen 5 3000 series and 5000 series processors

Both have six cores and twelve threads, although the exception to the rule is the Ryzen 5 3500X, which has six cores and six threads. They offer a very high IPC and can move current games fully optimally, although the Ryzen 5 3500 lags behind in demanding multi-threaded environments.

They are based on the Zen 2 (3000 series) and Zen 3 (5000 series) architecture.
They add up to 32MB of L3 cache and are clocked at up to 4.6 GHz.
The Ryzen 5 3600 are reasonably priced and offer a good price-performance value. The Ryzen 5 5600X offers a very high IPC but is very expensive.
They are aimed at users with medium or medium-high budgets who want to enjoy the good performance without falling into unnecessary excesses.
They perform well with very demanding multi-threaded applications (the Ryzen 5 3500X lags behind, as we said).
They can optimally run any current game, and they have a good lifespan ahead (note the hue 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 excellent performance to this day. They have 8 cores and 16 threads, which means that they are capable of offering excellent performance in demanding multi-threaded applications, and also in games.

Its IPC is lower than that of the Ryzen 3000 series, which means that, in low resolutions and in games that do not scale well in multi-core CPUs, they lose integers compared to other models with fewer cores but higher IPC. However, this does not mean that they are not still perfectly viable for gaming, especially at 1440p and 4K resolutions, where the CPU has less impact.

They are based on the Zen (1000 series) and Zen + (2000 series) architectures.
They add up to 16MB of L3 cache and are clocked at up to 4.3 GHz.
They can be found at affordable prices.
They offer a very good value for what they cost on the second-hand market.
They are aimed at users with tight budgets who want to enjoy the good performance in both multi-threaded applications and games.
They offer an optimal experience with demanding applications, and can without problems with all the latest batch games.
They will have a long service life, thanks to their 8 cores and 16 threads.

Ryzen 7 3000 Series and 5000 Series Processors

They are mid-high-end processors that maintain the 8-core and 16-thread configuration, but greatly improve the IPC compared to previous generations. They offer fantastic performance in both demanding applications and games.

They are based on the Zen 2 (3000 series) and Zen 3 (5000 series) architecture.
They total 32MB of L3 cache and are clocked at up to 4.7 GHz.
The Ryzen 7 3700X are reasonably priced and offer a good price-performance value. The Ryzen 7 5800X offer a very high IPC and have superior performance, but they are very expensive.
They are aimed at users with medium-high budgets who want to enjoy a high level of performance and ensure long service life.
They perform wonderfully with very demanding multi-threaded applications.
They can optimally run any current game.

Ryzen 9 3000 Series and 5000 Series Processors

They form the high end of the AMD catalog. The Ryzen 9 3900X and Ryzen 9 5900X have 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Ryzen 9 3950X and Ryzen 9 5950X come with 16 cores and 32 threads. Its performance is excellent with any application, games included, although obviously the Ryzen 9 5000 series have a higher IPC and work at higher frequencies, so they perform better in all areas.

They are based on the Zen 2 (3000 series) and Zen 3 (5000 series) architecture.
They add up to 64MB of L3 cache and are clocked at up to 4.9 GHz.
The Ryzen 9 3900X are priced interestingly considering the raw potential they offer. The Ryzen 9 5900X offer a noticeable performance improvement but are more expensive.
They are aimed at users with high budgets who want to enjoy a high level of performance and who use their PC for more than just gaming (streaming and gaming, for example).
The Ryzen 9 3950X and Ryzen 9 5950X make no sense on a PC dedicated exclusively to gaming, even if we plan to stream using CPUs.
They can handle any workload with guarantees, although they shine especially in multi-threaded applications.

Which processor is the best for me?

It all depends on the configuration you have, or what you intend to mount, 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 processor to play with the best price-performance value that AMD sells is the Ryzen 5 3600.

If you want to ensure a foolproof configuration, able to withstand without problems the transition that new generation games will mark, the Ryzen 7 3700X is a fantastic alternative, especially now that we can still buy it for less than 300 euros.

In case you aspire to the best possible performance and you are playing in 1080p resolution, where the impact of the processor is noticeable and can make a big difference, and you want to take advantage of a monitor with a high refresh rate, the Ryzen 5 5600X will makes it an interesting alternative, thanks to its high CPI.

Processors with more than 8 cores and 16 threads do not, as we have said, make sense on a PC dedicated exclusively to games. In case you are going to use your PC for basic tasks and to occasionally enjoy a game, a Ryzen 3 1200 processor could cover your needs without problems, and for very little money.