QOTW: How many cores for your next desktop CPU?

[Core2Extreme]

Absolute minimum? 6. Partly because my laptop (8750H) has six cores, so I couldn't see buying a desktop with any fewer. But also because there can be some really good deals on hex-core CPUs. I very nearly upgraded to the Ryzen 5 1600 (non-AF) when it was $80 at the local store. Almost wish I had. If the 3600 is going for that when I'm ready to upgrade, it will be hard to pass on it.

Most likely, though, I'll go with 8. Seems a good compromise between price, multithreaded performance, and single-threaded clocks. And I tend to keep my desktop CPUs a long time, with the current one already at 8.5 years, so over the lifetime of the CPU the price difference is not that great.

Twelve is a possibility, too, particularly if my Sandy Bridge lasts until Ryzen 4000 is out. The Ryzen 9 3900 (non-X) is an appealing configuration, and if something like that hits the $330 price point, it'll be a tough decision between 8 and 12 cores.

Not that I actually *need* more than 4, but when I don't use them, the spare is donated to the World Community Grid. At least, that's the justification for all the extra horsepower.

[markzero]

Right now I don't see going less than 6 cores again, with 12 threads. On the other hand, up until recently I didn't think I'd want a car with less than a V6 engine again, but now I'm thinking about HEVs and BEVs. In either case, it depends on whether I can get the responsiveness I'm used to, with better energy use.

[nar53]

My current CPU has eight cores and I don't have plans to upgrade anytime soon I'll have to see what's available when the time to upgrade next comes around.

[Spreadie]

Currently on 6c/12t, so probably 12c/24t.

Eventually.

There's no rush, unless I spy an absolute bargain.

[Spreadie]

The Ryzen 9 3900 (non-X) is an appealing configuration, and if something like that hits the $330 price point, it'll be a tough decision between 8 and 12 cores.

There isn't a "non-X" 3900.

[ik9000]

There isn't a "non-X" 3900.

yes there is but it's only available to OEMs: https://www.amd.com/en/products/cpu/...zen-9-pro-3900

[SlickR]

8 cores for sure, all the next gen consoles utilize 8 ryzen cores, so for me the next standard is 8 cores. I'll be skipping 6 cores and going straight to 8 cores.

[MrJim]

yes there is but it's only available to OEMs: https://www.amd.com/en/products/cpu/...zen-9-pro-3900

Interesting - that's the only locked Ryzen CPU I've ever heard of.

[Terbinator]

These QOTW could really do with a poll.

[ik9000]

Interesting - that's the only locked Ryzen CPU I've ever heard of.

there's a 3700 version too. Also OEM only. https://www.amd.com/en/products/cpu/...zen-7-pro-3700

[Duckboy79]

As soon as there's a cheap Ryzen 5ghz 8 core 16 thread chip I'll upgrade!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

yes there is but it's only available to OEMs: https://www.amd.com/en/products/cpu/...zen-9-pro-3900

You can buy it from AWD-IT. I even posted it in the Deals section:
https://forums.hexus.net/retail-ther...vered-awd.html

In fact you can actually add the Ryzen 9 3900 as a bundle deal to most of the motherboards they sell!

[ohmaheid]

I just built a new ryzen 3600 based system, so it's going to be another 5 years before I upgrade...UNLESS a 3900x becomes a bargain-bucket item in a year or so.
12 cores would be nice...Oh and a 1tb nvme as a christmas present.

[micles5]

Now i got ryzen 2600. I may upgrade it to ryzen 4600 to use most of my b450 motherboard but no rush and no need

[loccothan]

After this one i will go for 12/24 or 16/32
But i will wait for PCIe Gen5 and DDR5.
What i have will be enough for gaming for years to come.

[Iota]

No idea, I've gone from 2 physical cores, to 4 physical cores, to 8 physical cores. So I'm guessing when I do upgrade it'll be 16 physical cores. As to when I upgrade, that depends on when I need to upgrade.