AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X in 2025: Is it worth getting the legendary 12-core processor?

Up-to-date review for enthusiasts and professionals

Key Features: Why is the 3900X Still Relevant?

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X, released in 2019, remains in demand even in 2025 due to its unique combination of characteristics:

- Zen 2 Architecture: Despite its age, the 7nm TSMC FinFET process ensures high energy efficiency.

- 12 Cores / 24 Threads: Perfect for multithreaded tasks — rendering, encoding, virtual machine operations.

- 64 MB L3 Cache: Reduces latency in data processing.

- TDP 105W: Modest power consumption for its class.

- Performance: Geekbench 6 — 1689 (single-thread), 9934 (multi-thread).

Key Features:

- PCIe 4.0 support (relevant for high-speed NVMe drives).

- Precision Boost 2 technology for automatic overclocking up to 4.6 GHz.

- Compatibility with the AM4 platform, allowing use in budget builds.

Compatible Motherboards: Which to Choose in 2025?

The AM4 socket is the basis for the Ryzen 9 3900X. Despite the introduction of AM5, many AM4 boards are still available:

- Chipsets:

- X570 (recommended): PCIe 4.0 support on all lanes, overclocking. Example: ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero (price: ~$180–$220).

- B550: Budget option with PCIe 4.0 for GPU and one M.2. Example: MSI B550 Tomahawk (~$120–$150).

- Selection Features:

- BIOS updates may be required for older boards.

- For maximum performance, look for models with a robust VRM (e.g., Gigabyte X570 Aorus Elite).

Memory: DDR4 Still in Play

The Ryzen 9 3900X supports DDR4 (up to 3200 MHz base, often overclocked to 3600–3800 MHz).

- Recommendations:

- 32 GB (2x16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 is the optimal choice for work tasks (price: ~$90–$120).

- 16 GB is sufficient for gaming, but 32 GB offers "future-proofing."

- Important: DDR5 is not supported, so upgrading to new standards would require CPU and motherboard replacement.

Power Supply: How Many Watts Do You Need?

With a TDP of 105W and average power consumption under load of ~142W:

- Minimum: 650W (considering a discrete graphics card like the NVIDIA RTX 4070 or AMD RX 7800 XT).

- Recommendations:

- Units with an 80+ Gold certification (e.g., Corsair RM650x or Seasonic FOCUS GX-650).

- For systems with high-end GPUs (RTX 4090) — 850W.

Pros and Cons: Weighing the Decision

Pros:

- Exceptional multithreaded performance for ~$250–$300 (new).

- Low TDP for a 12-core CPU.

- Compatibility with inexpensive AM4 motherboards.

Cons:

- Lacks PCIe 5.0 and DDR5.

- Underperforms in gaming compared to new Ryzen 5 7600X (~15–20% in single-thread tests).

- Heats up to 80–85°C under load (requires a good cooler).

Use Case Scenarios: Where Does the 3900X Still Shine?

1. Work Tasks:

- Video editing in DaVinci Resolve, 3D rendering in Blender.

- Programming and testing in multithreaded environments.

2. Streaming and Multitasking: Recording + gaming + browsing with 20 tabs open.

3. Gaming: In projects optimized for multithreading (Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield), shows 60+ FPS at 1440p. However, in CS2 or Valorant, it lags behind new 8-core models.

Comparison with Competitors: Who is Better?

- Intel Core i9-10900K (10 cores): Cheaper (~$200), but weaker in multithreading (+30% for Ryzen).

- Ryzen 5 7600X (6 cores): Better in gaming (+25% single-thread performance), but more expensive (~$300) due to the need for AM5 and DDR5.

- Ryzen 7 5700X (8 cores): Similar in price (~$220), but fewer cores for work tasks.

Conclusion: The 3900X outperforms its competition from its generation and is still relevant where core counts matter more than absolute gaming power.

Assembly Tips: Avoiding Mistakes

1. Cooling:

- At minimum, use a tower cooler (DeepCool AK620 or Noctua NH-D15).

- For quiet operation — a 240mm AIO (NZXT Kraken X53).

2. Case: Good ventilation (Lian Li Lancool 216 or Fractal Design Meshify 2).

3. BIOS Update: For B550/X570 boards, use the latest firmware version.

4. Overclocking: Reduce voltage (Offset -0.05V) to lessen heat without losing performance.

Final Conclusion: Who is the Ryzen 9 3900X Suitable for in 2025?

This processor is worth choosing if:

- Budget is limited, but 12 cores are needed for work.

- Upgrading an old AM4 system without replacing the motherboard.

- PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 are not critical (e.g., for a home NAS or server).

Why not? If you're building a gaming PC with a 240Hz monitor or working with AI models — consider Ryzen 7000/8000 or Intel's 14th generation.

Price in 2025: A new Ryzen 9 3900X can be found for $250–$300. This is an excellent deal for those who value a balance between price, performance, and multitasking.