R7 3700X now, or wait for Zen3?

[Action_Johnson]

My work computer (mainly Photoshop and Capture One) is an old i7 3770 build that I put together maybe 8 or 10 years ago, whenever the 3770 just came out. It's got 32GB of RAM and does totally FINE for most stuff, but my R5 3600 build at home is way faster for most work stuff, despite running off SATA SSD's and platter drives. 

 

I'm thinking of spending about $1k on a new work computer and I'm not sure if I should get something like a 3700X now, anticipating the new chips in the same price range, probably won't be meaningfully faster? Main driver for this is Capture One will use as many cores as I can throw at it, and the new Samsung 980 Pro's will make offloading jobs an enormous time saver over using the old SATA interface from 2010.  

[FloRolf]

I say wait, since you'll get ddr5 with Zen 3 and I guess the higher core models will not only come in a little cheaper but also more refined. 

Also, it will be a new socket so you are more future proof when amd keeps up with the longevity of their sockets. 

[Master Disaster]

Zen 3 would be the better choice but fair warning, when Zen 2 launched 3700, 3700X & 3800X CPUs were pretty hard to get hold of, the 3900X was impossible to get for months after release (I actually pre ordered a 3900X and after 4 weeks of waiting the retailer contacted me and offered me a 3800X and a refund of the difference because they wouldn't be able to offer me a 3900X for the foreseeable future). And this was before COVID.

 

You might end up waiting for a few weeks after the launch before you can actually get one.

[porina]

5 minutes ago, FloRolf said:

I say wait, since you'll get ddr5 with Zen 3 and I guess the higher core models will not only come in a little cheaper but also more refined. 

Also, it will be a new socket so you are more future proof when amd keeps up with the longevity of their sockets. 

You might be mixing up your Zen generations there. Zen 3 due to be announced in a couple of weeks is still AM4 and DDR4. 

 

On the OP's question, given it is so close, and you've waited so long to upgrade, might as well see what new things Zen 3 brings, and even if it doesn't help there might be more discounts on the older stuff.

[Delicieuxz]

AMD is releasing New Zen 3 information on October 8, less than 2 weeks away. I'd definitely wait to see what's shown.

[Action_Johnson]

Makes sense

[Haro]

1 hour ago, FloRolf said:

I say wait, since you'll get ddr5 with Zen 3 and I guess the higher core models will not only come in a little cheaper but also more refined. 

Also, it will be a new socket

Zen 3 is going to be on the same socket and it'll be running ddr4. 

1 hour ago, Action_Johnson said:

My work computer

If possible wait and check what it has to offer. 

[porina]

1 minute ago, Master Disaster said:

Zen 3 would be the better choice but fair warning, when Zen 2 launched 3700, 3700X & 3800X CPUs were pretty hard to get hold of, the 3900X was impossible to get for months after release

From what I recall, the single CCD Zen 2 models were in short supply for the first week or so but it didn't last long. The two CCD models, for sure were in more constraint for longer.

 

My memory doesn't go back far enough, how long a gap was there between announcement and sales on AMD side? So even when we know what we're possibly getting, there will still be some time before you can get it. 

[FloRolf]

23 minutes ago, porina said:

You might be mixing up your Zen generations there. Zen 3 due to be announced in a couple of weeks is still AM4 and DDR4. 

 

On the OP's question, given it is so close, and you've waited so long to upgrade, might as well see what new things Zen 3 brings, and even if it doesn't help there might be more discounts on the older stuff.

 

20 minutes ago, TofuHaroto said:

Zen 3 is going to be on the same socket and it'll be running ddr4. 

If possible wait and check what it has to offer. 

Oopsy! Thanks guys. 

Well then still wait but difference won't be as dramatic I guess. 

[GoldenLag]

1 hour ago, Action_Johnson said:

and the new Samsung 980 Pro's will make offloading jobs an enormous time saver over using the old SATA interface from 2010.  

I do suggest looking at something else than the 980 pro, considering for write jobs its worse than the older 970 pro. 

 

And since you are offloading stuff, im assuming you are doing a lot of writing. 

 

In that regard, multiple sx 8200 pro or mp34 would be better. Or if you are doing a lot of writing, the good old 970 pro. 

[PWforPower]

Intel hiding malicious weapon I belive after zen 3 releasing. But now take r3900x if you can(whole pc will be 1500) it will be overkill plus overclock it on 200w and take artic 280. And why samsung m2, I really dont know, but 2tb Adata XPG SX 8200 Pro doing great rat job for me isn't this better than samsung. 

[Action_Johnson]

10 hours ago, GoldenLag said:

I do suggest looking at something else than the 980 pro, considering for write jobs its worse than the older 970 pro. 

 

And since you are offloading stuff, im assuming you are doing a lot of writing. 

 

In that regard, multiple sx 8200 pro or mp34 would be better. Or if you are doing a lot of writing, the good old 970 pro. 

I'm a photographer constantly dumping 64-256GB worth of UHS2 SD, CFExpress, or CFast cards, so the monster sequential write speeds of the 980's look real tasty. Especially when compared to the current 2.5 SATA SSD's I'm using. 

[GoldenLag]

8 minutes ago, Action_Johnson said:

I'm a photographer constantly dumping 64-256GB worth of UHS2 SD, CFExpress, or CFast cards, so the monster sequential write speeds of the 980's look real tasty. Especially when compared to the current 2.5 SATA SSD's I'm using. 

Except those write speeds really arent sustainable due to the TLC nand it uses. Instead of the MLC/DLC that the 970 pro uses. 

 

Might aswell go for cheaper Phison E16 drives if you need burst speeds.