AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT Processor: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Review of AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT Processor
3. Comparison with Ryzen 9 3900X
4. Packaging and Price
5. Turbo Boost Frequency
6. No Cooler Included
7. Overview of MSI B550 Tomahawk Motherboard
8. Features of B550 Tomahawk
9. Performance Results
10. Single-Core Performance
11. Multi-Core Performance
12. Gaming Performance
13. Verdict and Final Thoughts

AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT Processor: An In-Depth Review

AMD has recently released the Ryzen 9 3900XT processor, and it has certainly caught the attention of tech enthusiasts. As someone who has used various processors in the past, I was quite intrigued to see what this new offering from AMD had to offer. In this review, I will be taking a closer look at the Ryzen 9 3900XT processor and comparing it to its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 3900X. Get ready to be surprised and amused by the performance of this peculiar processor.

Comparison with Ryzen 9 3900X

Let's start by comparing the Ryzen 9 3900XT to its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 3900X. Both processors have the same launch price of $500, but the Ryzen 9 3900X has seen a price drop to $425. This means that currently, there is a $75 difference between the two processors. When considering taxes, the price difference is around 600 TL, making the Ryzen 9 3900XT more expensive. However, one notable difference is that the Ryzen 9 3900XT does not come with a cooler. The absence of the Wraith Prism cooler, which costs around 400 TL, makes the Ryzen 9 3900XT an additional 1000 TL investment if you choose to purchase a separate cooler.

Turbo Boost Frequency

The Ryzen 9 3900XT boasts a slightly higher turbo boost frequency compared to the Ryzen 9 3900X. While this may not sound like a significant improvement on paper, it does make a noticeable difference in performance. The Ryzen 9 3900XT can reach a maximum frequency of 4.7 GHz, which is quite impressive. My expectation was to see around 4.5 GHz while gaming with the Noctua cooler, as the Ryzen 9 3900X typically reaches around 4.2 GHz in the same Scenario. Although the 100 MHz increase in frequency may not seem like much, it can lead to a performance difference of 300 MHz when considering the turbo frequency boost. However, the reality is quite different...

Performance Results

Without further ado, let's dive into the performance results that will provide a clearer understanding of what I'm talking about. I won't bombard you with multiple tests and benchmarks, as I will be sharing a link to the detailed article where you can find all the necessary information. Trust me, once you see the extensive test results, you'll be glad I kept it concise. For single-core performance, the Ryzen 9 3900XT scores a solid 545 points, putting it in close competition with the Intel Core i9-10900K. However, when it comes to gaming performance, the story takes a different turn. The difference in gaming performance between the Ryzen 9 3900XT and the Ryzen 9 3900X is a mere 0.5%, which can be considered within the margin of error. In other words, there is virtually no difference between the two processors when it comes to gaming.

Overview of MSI B550 Tomahawk Motherboard

Now that we've covered the processor, let's shift our attention to the motherboard that accompanied it in this review: the MSI B550 Tomahawk. I have a personal preference for B550 motherboards over X570, mainly due to the improved design and lack of a chipset fan. The B550 features a revised design that offers better PCIe 4.0 support, unlike the X570 motherboards that use a fan to cool the chipset. It's not just about the price; B550 motherboards also perform exceptionally well. The MSI B550 Tomahawk, in particular, offers support for up to 128 GB of RAM and overclocks memory frequencies up to 5100 MHz, which is impressive. Additionally, it has a robust power delivery system with a total of 13 phases (10+2+1) that is more than sufficient for overclocking purposes. Though it may not be a top-of-the-line motherboard with 16 phases, the 13-phase design is more than capable of handling demanding tasks.

Features of B550 Tomahawk

When it comes to the cooling system on the MSI B550 Tomahawk, there are thermal pads that make direct contact with the VRMs (voltage regulator modules). These thermal pads, with a thermal conductivity rating of 7 W/mk, efficiently distribute heat away from the VRMs. Furthermore, the motherboard is equipped with mosfet heatsinks for enhanced cooling. The B550 Tomahawk also offers support for two M.2 SSDs, with the top slot supporting PCIe 4.0 and the bottom slot supporting PCIe 3.0. The top PCIe slot is equipped with a protective plate, and both M.2 slots feature large heatsinks to keep the SSDs cool. This cooling is especially crucial for PCIe 4.0 SSDs, as they tend to generate more heat. In terms of connectivity, the motherboard features a Realtek RTL8125B controller, which provides a 2.5 gigabit ethernet port and a 1 gigabit port. Additionally, it has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 output at the rear and boasts 16.8 million RGB lighting on the chipset, which can be controlled using the Mystic Light software.

Verdict and Final Thoughts

After thoroughly evaluating the Ryzen 9 3900XT processor and the MSI B550 Tomahawk motherboard, I must admit that I am not entirely impressed. This is the first time that I haven't been able to comprehend why a particular Ryzen processor is being marketed. With the presence of the Ryzen 9 3900X, which offers the same performance at a lower price point and comes with a Wraith Prism cooler, I fail to see the appeal of the Ryzen 9 3900XT. Even if we consider the $500 price tag without the cooler, the question remains: why would anyone choose the Ryzen 9 3900XT over the Ryzen 9 3900X? Maybe in the future, AMD will release a BIOS update that optimizes the performance of the Ryzen 9 3900XT, but as of now, there is no discernible difference between the two processors. They perform virtually the same, with the added heat and power consumption of the Ryzen 9 3900XT. In the end, I hope you found this review informative, and if you enjoyed it, please consider subscribing to my Channel. Goodbye for now!

Highlights

• AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT is a peculiar processor that fails to offer a significant performance improvement compared to its predecessor.
• The Ryzen 9 3900XT is priced the same as the Ryzen 9 3900X but lacks a cooler, making it an additional expense.
• The MSI B550 Tomahawk motherboard impresses with its support for up to 128 GB of RAM and overclocking capabilities.
• The B550 Tomahawk's thermal design efficiently dissipates heat from the VRMs and M.2 SSDs.
• Despite its slightly higher turbo boost frequency, the Ryzen 9 3900XT shows no noticeable performance difference compared to the Ryzen 9 3900X, especially in gaming scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Is the Ryzen 9 3900XT worth the price difference over the Ryzen 9 3900X? A: No, considering the similar performance and lack of a cooler, the Ryzen 9 3900XT does not offer enough justification for its higher price.

Q: Does the MSI B550 Tomahawk support PCIe 4.0? A: Yes, the top M.2 slot on the B550 Tomahawk supports PCIe 4.0, while the bottom slot supports PCIe 3.0.

Q: Can the Ryzen 9 3900XT be overclocked? A: Yes, the Ryzen 9 3900XT can be overclocked, although it does not offer substantial benefits over the stock performance.

Q: How does the Ryzen 9 3900XT compare to Intel processors? A: In terms of single-core performance and gaming, the Ryzen 9 3900XT is on par with Intel's Core i9-10900K. However, it falls short in other areas, such as overclocking potential.

Q: Can the MSI B550 Tomahawk handle high-performance tasks? A: Yes, with its 13-phase power delivery system and efficient cooling design, the B550 Tomahawk is capable of handling demanding tasks.