Ryzen 5xxx vs 7/9xxx System

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I'm due an upgrade on my current system (Ryzen 1600 / 16 GB Ram / Standard SSD (Not NVME) and a basic display only GPU.

I know people speak of upgradability of a system and future proofing but I keep my systems long enough that typically an upgrade for myself has always been a new system.

Given that a Ryzen 5xxx series is going to give me a two generation jump is it still worth spending more on a 7/9xxx CPU based system given I have little to no need in the ability to upgrade in the future?

My system is currently useable and is mainly used for some light image editing and will soon be starting to dabble in music production as a hobby (Ableton/Fruity Loops/Waveform etc)

Don't have a set budget yet but was thinking of £800-1000 for the parts but not to include a case as I'm thinking of putting this in a Thermaltake Tower 300

GPU wise I'm toying with a 7700/7800XT as will also be upgrading to a 34UW monitor (Monitor not included in budget).

Thoughts are currently the savings made by sticking to 5xxx could mean a better GPU but then is 7xxx much better with it being another generation newer and using DDR5?

Thoughts?

Cheers :)
 
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GPU wise I'm toying with a 7700/7800XT as will also be upgrading to a 34UW monitor (Monitor not included in budget).
Is this meaning that you're switching to gaming?

What is the main purpose of this upgrade? In other words, what are you trying to achieve with it, or what is currently running too slowly?

but then is 7xxx much better with it being another generation newer and using DDR5?
For content creation (multithreaded), 8x zen 4 cores are roughly equal to 12x zen 3 cores, e.g. Ryzen 9 5900 and Ryzen 7 7700 perform similarly.

For lightly threaded work (image editing is often in this category, but it depends what you're doing), then the Ryzen 5 7600 can generally beat even the Ryzen 9 5950X.
 
A possible switch to gaming more often but I wouldn't say a huge amount. Not sure if 7700/7800XT would be overkill other than the monitor being a large resolution.

Main reason for the upgrade is more of an itch rather than a need to be fair as I don't currently use my PC much at all at the moment.

I didn't realise the jump between Zen 3 and Zen 4 was as substantial as that, crikey.
 
Are you playing games? Seems like an odd choice if you aren't.

At the moment I play on my PS4 so I do play then but not on the PC currently.

34UW is for image editing more than it is for gaming.
 
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A possible switch to gaming more often but I wouldn't say a huge amount. Not sure if 7700/7800XT would be overkill other than the monitor being a large resolution.
All Ryzen 7000 CPUs include integrated graphics, so if you didn't intend to play any games I'd suggest not even buying one.

If you do intend to game, a 34" ultrawide is a serious bit of kit and you'll need at least a card of that calibre unless you're only playing old and undemanding games.
 
In that case then sounds like a 7000 series CPU is a much more sound choice and if I get the gaming itch I can drop in a GPU later.

For £800-1000 then what would you suggest as a build for music production and image editing?

Head says no GPU needed then!
 
In that case then sounds like a 7000 series CPU is a much more sound choice and if I get the gaming itch I can drop in a GPU later.

For £800-1000 then what would you suggest as a build for music production and image editing?

Head says no GPU needed then!
For a complete rebuild, something like this:

The PSU choice assumes you're buying an AMD card.

My basket at OcUK:

Total: £809.82 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

I'm not super familiar with your chosen case, so I'd advise double checking the clearance for the air cooler and PSU. It also has restrictions on the graphics card length and I don't know what they mean by "power cover".

For an upgrade with what you already own:

My basket at OcUK:

Total: £324.97 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

You could get the 5900, but I'd suggest you confirm your usage first, because if you're not saturating the cores there's not much point spending an extra £100 to have 4 more.

Ryzen 9000 is due in a few weeks by the way, if you're not aware.
 
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9600x and 9700x reviews will come out on wednesday, day before they launch on the 8th...i'd at least wait for that, and look at hardware unboxed for gaming review, and technotice for content creation review(video editing/photograghy)

if you're looking at a tower 300, you'll want a Matx board..something like the MSI B650M Mortar wifi (theres the tuf b650m gaming wifi board also same price(£179.99 which you see a lot of in promo for the case, or slightly cheaper B650M aorus elite ax for £165, but the other 2 have stronger vrm's, but up to you) and the , some 32gb 6000c30 ram ddr5 ram(wait for review of new cpu's though as they're meant to be able to take much faster ram so worth holiding fire) and a 2tb ssd..I'd still get a decent psu 750w or 850w, with 10yrs warranty..that way you'll have no problem sticking in a gpu if you do go down that route in future...yes bit more money now getting a nice one, but saves swapping it out down the line if you do decide to go gaming etc
 
Head says no GPU needed then!

Yeah just add one if needed, although depending on what type of editing you are doing picking up something used/cheap with CUDA acceleration could be helpful, sub £100 I am talking.

In that case then sounds like a 7000 series CPU is a much more sound choice
7xxx parts are getting a price cut around the end of August, middle Sept, waiting for confirmation, so don't over pay right now, £290 for a 7700 is daylight robbery,
 
7xxx parts are getting a price cut around the end of August, middle Sept, waiting for confirmation, so don't over pay right now, £290 for a 7700 is daylight robbery,
Can get them for half that already if you don’t mind importing.
 
For a complete rebuild, something like this:

The PSU choice assumes you're buying an AMD card.

I'm not super familiar with your chosen case, so I'd advise double checking the clearance for the air cooler and PSU. It also has restrictions on the graphics card length and I don't know what they mean by "power cover".

For an upgrade with what you already own:

You could get the 5900, but I'd suggest you confirm your usage first, because if you're not saturating the cores there's not much point spending an extra £100 to have 4 more.

Ryzen 9000 is due in a few weeks by the way, if you're not aware.

Fantastic options, thank you. :)

Will wait on the Ryzen 9000 and see how that affects prices for the 7000 at all. Will likely go with a 7000 build similar to what you suggested.

I'll likely either keep my old Ryzen 1600 system as a back up or may sell it to offset the cost of the new system a little bit.
 
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Why not just upgrade cpu to something like a 5700x3d they are very cheap around £140 from a well know place.

If you really do want a new setup sell your old bits should help go towards funding new parts.
 
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