CPU upgrade time...

[mao91]

Built my X99 (5820k) system 5 years ago. For gaming purposes, my currently CPU is actually great. For my work, not so much. I have a little extra money right now and thought maybe it could be a good time to upgrade. Here’s my question: what would be the smarter choice? 3700X or 3900X? There’s a significant price difference between the two.

 

EDIT: more info on my work usage

 

I‘m an audio engineer. The DAW I run is Reaper, which by DAW standards is very lightweight. However, many of the tools that I use (analog lab, omnisphere, slate, isotope, soundtoys, neural, JST, etc) can add up to be very CPU-demanding very quickly. It’s pretty common for me to see 90% or higher CPU utilization while working, even at an OC of 4.4 GHz. The tools I use all scale across multiple cores very well and my system is about as optimized as I’ve been able to make it for my situation.

[Oswin]

would suggest waiting for zen 3 since we are not that far away from release, the 5820k should suffice till then. 

[lmeneses]

between those two, i would get the 3700x, but I would wait for zen 3 to release first

[Cyracus]

Depends on the workload, some programs woudn't even get to using the extra cores, need more info for recommendation (and as stated, zen 3 soon)

[RobFRaschke]

What work are you doing that the 5820X is lacking on? that would better tell us if the more cores would be of any use to you at all.

[mao91]

I apologize for my lack of information. I have updated the original post with more.

[mao91]

I’ll also be needing new RAM. I run a NH-D15 cooler so I need low profile to fit underneath it. Recommendations?