Let's talk about AMD Zen 3 5000 series launch

AMD announced it's Zen 3 lineup on 8th October, 2020. The launch was exciting as it was the first time AMD has got so close to Intel and in some cases outperformed it in terms of gaming performance. Let's look at the main highlights of the launch:

1. 8-core CCX (core complex)
   
   
   AMD has changed its layout to fit 8 cores in a single CCX module when compared to 4 cores in Zen 2. This avoids the need to split 32MB L3 cache into 2x 16MB making the entire 32MB accessible directly to all cores.
   
   This not only reduces memory latency but also provides great improvements in gaming and single core performance. This is one of the major reasons for such increase in performance when compared to the previous generation.
   
   
2. 19% higher instructions per clock
   
   
   
   Before the launch, it was expected that Zen 3 would bring in 15% higher IPC but it has brought in 4% more than what was expected which is tremendous. IPC is nothing but the number of instructions that the CPU can execute in a single clock cycle.
   
   This means that even if your processors has higher clock speed but lower IPC then a processor with slightly lower clock speed but higher IPC, the latter will perform better.
   
   
3. Zen 4 will be based on 5nm process node (Note: This is not related to the Zen 3 processors which were announced but next gen processors which will be announced next year)
   
   
   This has been mentioned previously as well, but it is good to note. Intel is still stuck with its 14nm process node for quite a long time and AMD is leading ahead with the next generation being 5nm.
   
   Lower the process node, the better is the power efficiency and the processor is more densely packed. This also improves the speed of the processor.
   
   
4. Comparison with Intel 10th generation processors
   
   
   
   
   
   The graph (Comparison between Intel Core i9-10900K and AMD Ryzen 9 5900X) which you see above clearly indicates that AMD is neck to neck with Intel and also surpassed it in some cases. This is really big news and this would make it really difficult for Intel as it is already losing its market share to AMD.
   
   This just does not stop there. Check this comparison claimed by AMD between the Core i9-10900K and Ryzen 9 5950X:
   
   
   This is really incredible feat for AMD. AMD also claims 2.8x more efficiency than Core i9-10900K.
   
   
5. Increase in pricing
   
   
   
   
   
   The pricing of the 5000 series when compared to 4000 series is higher. There is an increase of $50 across the skew. This should not be an issue if AMD's claims related to performance improvement convert to real world performance as well.
   
   
6. Availability
   All processors announced on the 8th October, 2020 will be available from 5th November, 2020 worldwide which is complete month of waiting.

The complete 5000 series line-up is as follows: (You can click on the below image to check the complete specifications from amd.com)

Looking at all this makes it look like Intel is going to have a hard time. I hope that the actual performance of the 5000 series matches up with what AMD has claimed. Overall it is a good generation upgrade.

I am looking to get the Ryzen 5600X for my gaming rig. Also stay tuned for "Part IV: Deciding the graphics card" article where I will talk about which graphics card I would be choosing for my build. I initially thought of waiting for the Radeon (Big Navi) launch on 28th October, 2020, but I am currently inclined towards the Nvidia cards.

As always, I would appreciate any suggestions that could help me decide the components to be used in the build. Also do provide me your valuable feedback. Have a great day!