CPU/GPU for 2020 Thoughts

[Retiredpilot]

Going to be starting with 2020 and getting a new PC for it.  I am looking at a Ryzen 7 9800X3D or a Ryzen 9 7950X3D.  For the GPU what would you recommend?  A 4070/4080?

I realize things change quickly and will probably go to 2024 once things get sorted out, but who knows so I am thinking about buying for today and 2020 instead of tomorrow so to speak.  Thanks for your input.

[Bob Scott]

A 9800X3D and RTX4080 is a good combo.  I wouldn't go for a GPU with less than 16GB of VRAM these days, so a 4080 or 4090 would be my recommendation.

The 7950X3D has 16 cores on two CCDs versus the 9800X3D's 8 cores on a single CCD, but half of those 16 cores are on a CCD that doesn't have direct access to the massive 3D cache, which really makes a difference in MSFS2020.  In fact the optimum config for MSFS2020 on the 7950X3D is to set it so that the the sim runs only on the 3D-equipped CCD.  So if this machine is intended strictly or primarily for MSFS, the 7950X3D presents an unnecessary added expense.  There are some use cases that might justify the 7950X3D...running lots of ancillary software along with the sim, for example.

[Retiredpilot]

34 minutes ago, Bob Scott said:

A 9800X3D and RTX4080 is a good combo.  I wouldn't go for a GPU with less than 16GB of VRAM these days, so a 4080 or 4090 would be my recommendation.

The 7950X3D has 16 cores on two CCDs versus the 9800X3D's 8 cores on a single CCD, but half of those 16 cores are on a CCD that doesn't have direct access to the massive 3D cache, which really makes a difference in MSFS2020.  In fact the optimum config for MSFS2020 on the 7950X3D is to set it so that the the sim runs only on the 3D-equipped CCD.  So if this machine is intended strictly or primarily for MSFS, the 7950X3D presents an unnecessary added expense.  There are some use cases that might justify the 7950X3D...running lots of ancillary software along with the sim, for example.

Thank you very much.  

[prolixindec]

I'm in a similar situation. I'm still using 2020, and I'm in the market for a new system. If I had to buy one today, I'd go for the 9800X3D and 4080, but the CSE Expo starts this coming week, and AMD and Nvidia are both having press conferences on Monday. The predictions are that AMD will announce the 9850X3D, while Nvidia will announce the 50xx cards. The new Nvidia cards may not move the price of the 4080 very much, who knows, but maybe it's worth waiting to see what happens. It could be much more exciting if the 9850X3D is announced and only adds $500 to the cost of the 9800. If that's the case, I'd be tempted to wait and see how it looks. 

Waiting isn't mandatory; I think a 9800X3D and 4080 is an excellent combo, but more news does come out in just 3 days...

[rayharris108]

4080 if you can afford it. I have the 4070 Ti Super which is also highly thought of. Main thing is it has 16Gb RAM...

[flyinion]

I was holding out for the 9950x3d announcement myself since I'm currently on a 5950x but I haven't really gotten into the video editing/etc I thought I might that would have used it so I think I'm going to do a 9800x3d myself after seeing the CES announcement and info that they still are only putting the 3d cache on one of the two chiplets in the 99xx's.  I don't want to have to bother with assigning stuff to cores just to make sure apps that can use it are getting access to it.  Let alone having to remember which apps can actually take advantage of it.

Edited January 7 by flyinion