Ryzen 7 5800XT vs. Ryzen 7 5800X – How do they compare?

AMD surprised us all with the announcement of two new AM4 processors; well, buffed-up versions of previously released CPUs would explain the situation better. They were set to be released along with the Ryzen 9000 series, which was delayed due to issues in some initial production units.

That said, the Ryzen 7 5800XT was released on time and is available on Amazon and Newegg. On paper, this processor is the same as the Ryzen 7 5800X, and it left many questioning why AMD would release two of the same processors. On the other hand, the question of how it would fare against its predecessor, the Ryzen 7 5800X, also gained traction.

So, if there is a difference, would it be enough to warrant an upgrade? We’ll explore that in this article, so let’s jump right into it. If you’re interested in exploring how the two AM4 processors would do against each other, check out our Ryzen 9 5900XT vs Ryzen 7 5800XT article. 

AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT

Cores

8

Threads

16

Boost clock speed

4.8 GHz

Base clock speed

3.8 GHz

L3 Cache

32 MB

TDP

105W

Platform

AMD Socket AM4

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AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

Cores

8

Threads

16

Boost clock speed

4.7 GHz

Base clock speed

3.8 GHz

L3 Cache

32 MB

TDP

105 W

Platform

AMD Socket AM4

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Specifications

To see the hardware difference between the two processors, we’ve listed their specifications below.

Just by one look, you can tell there isn’t much difference between these two processors. You’d need to look at the table twice or thrice to notice that the 5800XT has a 0.1 GHz faster boost clock speed, but again, we ask the same question: Was a 0.1 GHz that big of a difference to launch an entirely new processor? Let’s explore this some more.  

Foundations and cores 

The Ryzen 7 5800XT and 5800X belong to the same generation and share the same architecture, so there isn’t much difference in that department. If you were hoping that the 5800XT had more cores and threads than we saw in the 5900XT, unfortunately, that isn’t the case, as both processors have the same eight cores and 16 threads. 

So, it’s a tie. If you’re running the 5800X, there is no reason to upgrade to the 5800XT; rather, it’d be better to use those funds to get faster RAM or SSD. If you’re interested in exploring some options, check out our best DDR4 RAM for the top picks.  

Clock speed

The clock speed of a processor is measured in GHz and shows how fast it can execute an instruction cycle. For example, the base clock speed of these processors is 3.8 GHz, which means it can execute 3.8 billion instructions in a second. So, once again, there is not much to talk about as they are the same. 

On the other hand, the boost clock speed of the 5800XT is 0.1 GHz faster, which isn’t that big of a gap, but we’ll take what we can get. That said, it shouldn’t make much of a difference in performance and nothing that can’t be bridged by overclocking the 5800X. If you plan on overclocking your 5800X, we recommend using the best AIO cooler to keep its temperature under control.  

Cache and TDP

The Ryzen 7 5800XT and 5800X share 32 MB of L3 cache and a TDP of 105W. While the TDP can fluctuate depending on the workload, such as if you’ve overclocked it, the cache size doesn’t give either one an advantage, so this is again a stalemate.  

Graphic capabilities

Neither processor comes with integrated graphics, meaning you’ll have to purchase a discrete graphics card to complete your system. However, that isn’t bad, as a desktop GPU is more powerful than an iGPU and ensures that your gaming and productive sessions are properly fueled. We recommend using the best GPU for Ryzen 7 5800X to leave nothing to doubt. 

5800XT launch price

The Ryzen 7 5800XT costs $249, which is sure to cause an uproar as it is the same processor as the 5800X, which, according to camelcamelcamel, can go for as low as $179.94. So, the question is, why would anyone pay $69.06 more for essentially the same CPU?

We’re not sure if anyone would be interested in this CPU, and if someone was thinking about it, we’d recommend going for the Ryzen 9 5900X for a slight price hike but much better performance.

How have these CPUs changed from the previous generations?

Just a quick glance at the table tells you everything you need to know about the 5800XT and its predecessors. The only varying factors between these four processors are the base and boost clock and architecture, which change over the generations. 

The 5800XT has the highest max boost clock, while the 3800XT has the highest base clock speed. However, against their “X” variants, that is only a 0.1 GHz increment. So, it seems like the 5800XT is on the same path as the 3800XT, and that processor received a lot of criticism and was lost to time. 

The 9600X has the highest boost clock speed, while the 7600X takes over with the highest base clock speed. We see three instances of 65W TDP, with the outlier being the 7600X, which has a 105W power draw, which didn’t make sense at its release and doesn’t make sense now. 

That said, the 9600X has the powerful Zen 5 architecture on its side, and you can take it to the next level by overclocking it without overly increasing its TDP compared to the 7600X. However, just to be on the safe side, we recommend using the best power supply to ensure that your rig is getting all the juice it needs to power your digital adventures.  

Alternatives to the 5800XT and the 5800X

There are some processors that you could opt for instead of the 5800XT and the 5800X, and we’ve listed them below. We’ve reviewed some of these alternative options, and you can also check out their in-depth reviews.

Which one is right for you? 

The answer to this question is simple: the one you can get your hands on is the one for you, as they are both the same processors. It would’ve made more sense to release the 5800XT if the 5800X was discontinued and new chips were no longer available, but that isn’t the case. 
The 5800XT provides no extra value over the 5800X, and if it is priced higher than the 5800X, then the latter will automatically provide more value.

I asked our hardware experts, Jack Howarth and Seb Kozlowski, for their thoughts on this matter, and this is what they had to say:

Certainly an interesting release from AMD, the 5800XT coming out nearly 4 years after the 5800X is a rare sight in prolonging the life of the AM4 platform. But the release doesn’t seem to be a massive change in the CPU. Unlike other releases improving generationally or with bumps in specs this seems to stay the same.

With the process size the same, along with the the cores and TDP, there seems to be little change. Although we expect the price to drop from the years that have passed, it seems to make no real upgrade between the two. I only imagine AMD is trying to used broken CPUs from higher processors keeping them from the trash, so its only a consideration for an upgrade from an older system but not anything new.

Seb Kozlowski

The Ryzen 7 5800XT came as a surprise to us, as did the 5900XT, we certainly weren’t expecting new Zen 3 CPUS in 2024. With that being said, the 5800XT serves as a bridge between the 5800X and the 5900X, and we can only assume that the power of this CPU represents it’s position in the hierarchy. This CPU would still be ideal for most workloads, including intensive ones. If the price is right.

We know that the 5800X is capable of great things, and we know that it’s fairly cheap given that it’s 4 years old. There is no change in core or thread count and it just seems like AMD is saving CPUs from the bin by clocking them lower and shipping them as lesser SKUs. If that’s the case, it might be a safer bet opting for the 5800X.

Jack Howarth