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On this article, we’ll check out how L3 cache capability impacts gaming efficiency. Extra particularly, we’ll be analyzing AMD’s Zen 3-based Ryzen processors in a “for science” kind of characteristic. This implies it is not essentially meant as shopping for recommendation, although it does align properly with a number of suggestions we have revamped the previous few years. It is also helpful data to be armed with shifting ahead.
This isn’t the primary time we’ve investigated the common claim that “extra cores enhance gaming efficiency.” We examined again in 2021, when it was fairly frequent to listen to from customers who had upgraded from one thing like a Core i5-10600K or Core i7-8700K, to the then flagship Core i9-10900K, saying that the additional cores within the premium CPU resulted in huge FPS boosts for gaming.
You see, the 10900K supplied a 67% enhance in cores, going from 6 to 10 cores, but it surely additionally noticed a 67% enhance in L3 cache capability. Given that the majority video games have been nonetheless unable to completely make the most of all 6 cores of the 10600K or 8700K, this led us to wonder if the additional cache or the cores have been having a better influence on efficiency.
The cool factor was, we may simply discover out by disabling cores on the 10700K and 10900K, whereas locking the working frequency, ring bus, and reminiscence timings in place. This allowed us to check 6-core, 8-core and 10-core configurations, with 12MB, 16MB and 20MB L3 cache capacities and that is how the outcomes turned out.
For essentially the most half, upgrading from 6 cores with a 20MB L3 cache to 10 cores with the identical 20MB L3 yielded only a 3% efficiency enhance on common. Thus, a 67% enhance in core rely netted us a mere 3% FPS increase.
Nonetheless, with the 6-core configurations, rising from a 12MB L3 cache to 20MB resulted in a extra vital 14% enhance on common. This offered us with conclusive proof that cache was extra vital than cores for gaming, when evaluating processors of the identical structure.
On the time, the importance of L3 cache for gaming was not widely known, so this information was shocking for a lot of, particularly those that had assumed the efficiency enchancment seen when shifting from a 6-core Core i5, or i7, to a 10-core Core i9 was as a result of elevated cores, somewhat than the additional cache.
About 8 months after we revealed that characteristic article, AMD launched their first-ever 3D V-Cache processor, the 5800X3D, and the significance of L3 cache for gaming efficiency grew to become extensively acknowledged. Provided that, you may marvel why we’re revisiting this topic now, in early 2024. Truthfully, we do not have a particular purpose; we merely discovered this information intriguing and consider you’ll, too.
Really, again once we revealed the Intel 10th gen Cores vs. Cache article, one of the widespread requests was for an AMD model. Sadly, on the time, this wasn’t possible as all Ryzen 5000 sequence processors featured a 32MB L3 cache capability per CCD, making the Ryzen 7 5800X and Ryzen 5 5600X, for instance, characteristic the identical L3 capability.
We later obtained the primary Ryzen 5000 APUs, which have been reduce all the way down to a 16MB L3 cache. Nonetheless, this would not have made for an exceptionally fascinating article, because you already had that information within the 5700G and 5600G critiques, anyway. However, with the arrival of the 3D V-Cache components (since late 2022 to be clear), we now have Ryzen 5000 CPUs with a 96MB L3 cache – we simply acquired round making this take a look at now.
Check notes and full disclaimer: we did not retest all these CPUs at a locked frequency; as a substitute, they have been benchmarked at their default working frequencies, which vary from 4.4GHz to 4.7GHz, resulting in as a lot as a 7% clock pace discrepancy. Nonetheless, after reviewing the info, it was clear {that a} full re-test to lock the clock speeds would have been pointless as the info we’ve could be very clear and reveals precisely what we might anticipate finding.
All testing has been performed utilizing the GeForce RTX 4090 at 1080p, as it is a CPU benchmark. If you happen to do not perceive why reviewers take a look at this manner and wish to be taught extra, we’ve an article devoted to explaining all the benchmarking basics.
For this take a look at, we’re restricted to a 6-core vs. 8-core comparability as these are the Ryzen CPUs out there that characteristic 16MB, 32MB, and 96MB L3 cache capacities. All CPUs have been examined utilizing 32GB of DDR4-3600 CL14 reminiscence. Now, let’s dive into the info…
Benchmarks
First up is Baldur’s Gate 3, and there is a bit to unpack right here. Cache capability apart, it would not matter if we’ve a Zen 3 processor with 6 or 8 cores; efficiency goes to be the identical, assuming cache capability is equal. Reasonably, cache is king right here; the 5600X, for instance, with its 32MB L3 cache, is 11% quicker than the 5700G, which has simply 16MB of L3.
Wanting on the 8-core information, we see that the 5800X is considerably quicker than the 5700G, enhancing efficiency by 17%, whereas the 5800X3D is 27% quicker than the 5800X. It is also fairly exceptional to notice that though all processors use Zen 3 cores, therefore the identical CPU structure, going from 16MB to 96MB of L3 cache ends in a considerable 48% efficiency enhance, underscoring that cache considerably impacts efficiency.
Subsequent, we study Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. Right here, we do see a slight efficiency benefit for the 8-core processors, although this benefit diminishes because the L3 cache capability decreases. As an illustration, the 5800X3D was 7% quicker than the 5600X3D, and we observe an analogous margin when evaluating the 5800X and 5600X. Nonetheless, this margin disappears with the 16MB 5700G and 5600G, which is considerably surprising.
Nonetheless, cache capability makes essentially the most vital distinction, enhancing 6-core efficiency from the 5600G to the 5600X by 10% after which from the 5600X to the 5600X3D by an additional 25%. Within the case of the 8-core fashions, we witness a 46% efficiency uplift when going from 16MB to 96MB.
Shifting on to Hogwarts Legacy, examined with ray tracing enabled, it appears to problem CPU efficiency on this title considerably. That mentioned, though the sport turns into very CPU-limited, including extra cores would not resolve the problem and even assist, with all three cache configurations delivering practically similar outcomes with both 6 or 8 cores.
Cache capability does make a distinction, and there seems to be no restrict right here. The 5800X was 17% quicker than the 5700G, whereas the 5800X3D was 11% quicker than the 5800X, marking a 30% efficiency enhance from 16MB to 96MB of L3 cache.
In Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, 6-core and 8-core efficiency could be very comparable, although the 5700G was 11% quicker than the 5600G, regardless of delivering comparable low percentile efficiency. The margin shrinks to simply 6% with the 32MB L3 cache fashions after which 2% for the X3D components, indicating that as efficiency will increase through a bigger L3 cache, the dependence on core rely turns into much less vital on this title.
Inspecting the 6-core fashions, we see a 19% enhance from the 5600G to the 5600X after which an additional 28% enhance from the 5600X to the 5600X3D. It is exceptional to watch a 53% enhance from the 5600G to the 5600X3D, given each CPUs characteristic six Zen 3 cores.
It has been recognized that ACC is a sport that does not closely depend on a number of threads however could be very delicate to cache dimension, and these CPUs spotlight that. There is no vital distinction between 6 and 8-core components right here, very true when analyzing the 32 and 96MB fashions. There’s an 8% margin favoring the 8-core 16MB chip, so the additional cores do appear to supply some profit when cache is extra restricted.
Even when analyzing the 8-core components, we see a 23% enhance from the 5700G to the 5800X after which a big 38% increase from the 5800X to the 5800X3D. This showcases simply how a lot of a efficiency distinction L3 cache could make, roughly a 70% increase from the 5700G to the 5800X3D, which is exceptional.
The Spider-Man Remastered outcomes are intriguing as a result of, once more, though all CPUs examined characteristic the identical Zen 3 cores, clocked at comparable frequencies, the ensuing efficiency can differ extensively. Core rely would not appear to play a big function, 6 or 8; the outcomes are a lot the identical. Probably the most appreciable distinction is seen when evaluating the X3D fashions, because the 5800X3D was 7% quicker on common.
What stands out is the slower efficiency of the 16MB fashions, simply 60 fps for the low percentile. This implies, when evaluating low percentile efficiency, the 5800X was 44% quicker than the 5700G.
Efficiency in A Plague Story: Requiem was nearer than in different titles examined to this point. There’s additionally a slight efficiency benefit for the 8-core fashions, constant throughout all three configurations.
What’s totally different right here is the smaller beneficial properties supplied by the bigger L3 cache, only a 12% enhance from the 5700G to the 5800X, after which an additional 12% from the 5800X to the 5800X3D. Nonetheless, you are a 25% uplift from the 5700G to the 5800X3D, which is a substantial enchancment throughout the similar technology.
In Murderer’s Creed Mirage, like most video games, extra L3 cache is helpful, however not like most video games, it additionally takes benefit of additional cores. Right here, we’re a 12% increase for the 5800X3D over the 5600X3D, a 9% enhance for the 5800X over the 5600X, and a 4% enhance for the 5700G over the 5600G. Curiously, the efficiency beneficial properties for the 8-core fashions enhance with the L3 cache capability.
Nonetheless, the rise in cache considerably outpaces the rise in cores; from the 5700G to the 5800X, we’re a 19% enhance, after which an enormous 33% increase from the 5800X to the 5800X3D.
In Watch Canine: Legion, additional cores do not carry advantages, with similar efficiency seen from the 6 and 8-core fashions. The actual variations are noticed when rising cache capability. Going from the 16MB fashions to 32MB improved efficiency by 17%, whereas going from 32MB to 96MB boosted efficiency by an additional 32%. Altogether, you are a 55% enchancment from 16MB to 96MB.
Lastly we’ve Hitman 3 and once more core rely is not that vital right here, however cache capability is. From the 5700G to the 5800X we’re an enormous 23% enhance after which an additional 18% enhance from the 5800X to the 5800X3D. So on this instance we’re seeing a 46% uplift from 16 MB to 96 MB.
Hitman 3 Lastly we’ve Hitman 3 and once more core rely is not that vital right here, however cache capability is. From the 5700G to the 5800X we’re an enormous 23% enhance after which an additional 18% enhance from the 5800X to the 5800X3D. So on this instance we’re seeing a 46% uplift from 16 MB to 96 MB.
12 Recreation Common
This is the 12-game common information, and on common, we noticed as much as a 3% efficiency benefit when going from 6 to eight cores. Thus, it is clear that for many trendy video games, half a dozen Zen 3 cores are greater than enough. What issues extra is the pace of the cores, and a big a part of that equation for gaming is L3 cache.
By doubling the L3 cache capability from 16MB to 32MB, we noticed a median of 18% higher efficiency. Nonetheless, the beneficial properties did not cease there; going from 32MB to 96MB netted us an additional 23% enchancment. This implies, on common, we noticed a forty five% uplift when going from 16MB to 96MB, whereas utilizing the identical variety of Zen 3 cores.
What We Discovered
Cache issues. Usually extra so than cores, with regards to PC gaming efficiency. So, there you may have it. As we discovered with Intel’s Tenth-gen sequence two years in the past, and in reality, in all probability greater than we realized two years ago. The arrival of AMD’s 3D V-Cache processors has confirmed this past a shadow of a doubt, inflicting vital challenges for Intel’s gaming efficiency, one thing the corporate deeply cares about.
This information additionally helps suggestions we made years in the past. For instance, we appreciated the worth delivered by the Ryzen 5 5600 sequence and beneficial it regardless of it having solely 6 cores, which many on the time believed can be inadequate for future gaming.
Immediately, the 6 and 8-core Zen 3 components are nonetheless delivering comparable efficiency, and naturally, components just like the Ryzen 5 5600X are nonetheless very usable.
What we have by no means beneficial for gaming, particularly for these utilizing discrete GPUs, have been AMD’s cut-down APUs such because the 5700G and 5600G. The smaller 16MB L3 cache considerably impacts gaming efficiency and, whereas nonetheless usable, for a similar cash, the 5600X and 5800X provide a lot better efficiency.
After all, there are different disadvantages to the APUs, akin to an older PCI Specific spec and, in some situations, even fewer PCIe lanes. Nonetheless, the first situation we’ve with these components is the L3 cache capability, and this information clearly reveals why.
Now, getting again to core counts for a second, I am certain the subject of “multi-tasking” will come up. We do not wish to delve into that right here, as we have already coated it intimately, however in a nutshell, the parable that 8-core CPUs will sport higher than 6-core fashions due to multi-tasking is fake, and we have by no means seen anybody making this declare present any scientific information to again it up.
Nonetheless, we did some testing and located the claims to be inaccurate. Furthermore, for any severe multi-tasking, you may discover the identical efficiency points with the 5800X as you’ll with the 5600X. For instance, updating or putting in a Steam sport within the background can result in noticeable efficiency degradation, akin to body time stutters, however these happen whatever the variety of cores you may have.
So, till video games absolutely saturate the 5600X, you will not see an enchancment with the 5800X, and by that point, we count on each CPUs will probably be struggling. After all, there are situations the place 8-core fashions of the identical structure are quicker than their 6-core counterparts, however in these examples, the 6-core processors nonetheless ship extremely playable efficiency, making the core rely argument moot, particularly contemplating the fee distinction.
As a extra trendy instance, the Ryzen 5 7600 prices $210 and delivers comparable gaming efficiency to the 5800X3D. The Ryzen 7 7700 prices $310 – nearly 50% extra – and it might be difficult to discover a sport the place the 7700 is even 20% quicker than the 7600; in reality, such a situation may not even exist. Wanting over our most up-to-date information from the 5700X3D evaluation, the 7700X is simply 4% quicker than the 7600X on common, so by way of worth, the 6-core mannequin is considerably higher for gaming.
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