AMD Ryzen 5 3500 to Lack SMT, Takes on Core i5-9400

[btarunr]

As AMD's Ryzen 5 3500 processor is inching closer to launch, we learn more possible specifications of the chip AMD is designing to take on Intel's popular Core i5-9400/9400F processor. Late July, we learned that the chip will be a 6-core model, breaking away from convention set by past generations, of the x500 Ryzen SKU being 4-core/8-thread. Thai PC enthusiast TUM_APISAK, who has a fairly high hit-rate on unreleased products, predicts that the 3500 will be six-core, but lack SMT (it will be 6-core/6-thread).

The Ryzen 5 3500 will be clocked at 3.60 GHz nominal, with a boost frequency of 4.10 GHz. There's no word on other specs, such as L3 cache amount. A single "Zen 2" chiplet normally has 32 MB of it (16 MB per CCX). The main competitor from the Intel stable is the Core i5-9400 / i5-9400F, which ticks at 2.90 GHz with 4.10 GHz boost. The i5-9400F in particular has had a big impact in the sub-$200 segment, as it's been aggressively priced under promotions by various DIY retailers. The chip lacks an iGPU, but has the specs to pull a fairly powerful gaming PC. With the Ryzen 5 3600 at $199, AMD could price the new chip around $169-179.



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[Aldain]

No smt??

Come on AMD, going Intel BS route?

 

[catulitechup]

Well done amd very interesting cpu

Many users dont need ht, 6 cores with good price

 

[Raendor]

Well done amd very interesting cpu

Many users dont need ht, 6 cores with good price

9400F filled in that niche for a long while already. And it actually began with pretty identical 8400 even earlier. Without smt this 3500 is doa.

 

[catulitechup]

9400F filled in that niche for a long while already. And it actually began with pretty identical 8400 even earlier. Without smt this 3500 is doa.

Yeah but many users dont want buy intel and search good cpu around 150us

 

[Solaris17]

Yeah but many users dont want buy intel and search good cpu around 150us

Not to mention how many OEMs might buy for pre-built desktops. Everyone treats CPU releases like the greatest possible market is nerds on Newegg but that’s not the case, just a condition of being in a tech forum.

 

[sutyi]

9400F filled in that niche for a long while already. And it actually began with pretty identical 8400 even earlier. Without smt this 3500 is doa.

The 9400F is retailing at 149US in most places, so if this indeed comes without SMT it needs to launch at or below 129US to make sense. Otherwise don't bother...

PS: Just cheked Microcenter in-store pick-up prices:

• i5-9400F - 135US
• R5 2600 - 119US
• R5 2600X - 139US

 

[ShurikN]

Could be a good product if priced around $150.

Wish we would get a Zen2/Navi APU instead, but that's probably going to wait until early 2020

 

[ador250]

No, it has to be less than from competition such as i5-9400F which is 150$.

 

[Aldain]

No, it has to be less than from competition such as i5-9400F which is 150$.

not if its faster than it..

 

[Dexiefy]

At around 150$ this technically could sell. But then again r5 2600 are still available and easy to get and r5 1600 2nd hand are going for 90-100$.
Anything above, around 170-180$, would make it dead on arrival since it would be too close in price to r5 3600 and around the price of r7 2700 which are both way better choices.

 

[newtekie1]

No smt??

Come on AMD, going Intel BS route?

It's all about getting rid of that defective silicon. They gotta do something with all chips with two defective cores and defective SMT circuitry.

 

[Lorec]

question is who in a right mind would buy r5 3500 6c6t if they can get r5 2600 6c12t cheapo.
how cheap would it have to be? and what role would it have if 2600 is there already?

 

[londiste]

question is who in a right mind would buy r5 3500 6c6t if they can get r5 2600 6c12t cheapo.
how cheap would it have to be? and what role would it have if 2600 is there already?

Anything that is not heavily threaded. Gaming is a big one here.

 

[jeffj7]

the supply of 2600's isn't going to last forever

 

[btarunr]

They had to disable SMT because this chip has unlocked multi (something the i5-9400/F doesn't have), and with an unlocked multi, the 3500 would cannibalize 3600/3600X.

 

[kings]

It makes perfect sense to me. Currently AMD have the R5 2600 on sale to clear stock, but this CPU will not last forever!

The 9400F is around 150€ in most stores. Unless AMD drop about 60€ on 3600 (which I don't see them doing, because it's a recently released CPU), they would end up with a big gap and give the sub 200€ market to Intel.

 

[Deleted member 67555]

The 9400F is retailing at 149US in most places, so if this indeed comes without SMT it needs to launch at or below 129US to make sense. Otherwise don't bother...

PS: Just cheked Microcenter in-store pick-up prices:

• i5-9400F - 135US
• R5 2600 - 119US
• R5 2600X - 139US

And the R5 - 1600 for $80 with the $30 combo discount with Mobo...

This CPU cannot cost more than $139.99 on launch day...$120 if they want it to really sell

 

[Readlight]

Why new the old also works good for movies, light gaming.and i5

 

[dirtyferret]

I'm guessing it's aimed directly at the mass PC merchants like DELL, HP, Lenovo, etc., to fit a price point. No reason to get this CPU when the Intel 9400F basically sells for the same amount. AT $119 the Ryzen 5 3500 makes sense.

 

[brian111]

And the R5 - 1600 for $80 with the $30 combo discount with Mobo...

This CPU cannot cost more than $139.99 on launch day...$120 if they want it to really sell

Micro Center pricing doesn't apply to a lot of the US, much less the rest of the world.

There's no guarantee that this will even be a retail chip. It could be only OEM like the 2500X.

 

[phanbuey]

not sure this is a competitive space for them imo...

their whole selling point is you get more cores and more power than intel at the same/lower price.

but if the i9400f is already at 199, and the 9 series still slaps ryzen around on ST and games... i don't know how many ppl are going to be willing to give up that gaming performance to save $20.

that sub $200 space is crowded... + the 2600/x + the old 1700's that are being sold off. There's no room for the 3500 to be compelling.

the 2700 (non x) which is the same chip as the 2700x is $185....

Amazon.com: AMD Ryzen 7 2700 Processor with Wraith Spire LED Cooler - YD2700BBAFBOX: Computers & Accessories

Buy AMD Ryzen 7 2700 Processor with Wraith Spire LED Cooler - YD2700BBAFBOX: Everything Else - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

this chip has to be $120-130 max.

 

[notb]

This CPU cannot cost more than $139.99 on launch day...$120 if they want it to really sell

AMD sells this CPU with SMT for $200 and they're far from the margins that could make 3500 profitable at $120.
$140 - maybe.

Or they could sell it in very limited quantity at basically any low price they want - just to dominate reviews in another segment. It'll help the general image.

It's all about getting rid of that defective silicon. They gotta do something with all chips with two defective cores and defective SMT circuitry.

By all means, no. It's not that simple.
Sure, they've already paid for the die and the initial tests, but it's a long way to actually selling a CPU.

They have to make the final product: add the IHS, solder, glue etc. In the meantime they'll do few more rounds of costly quality control. Retail items also require coolers and boxes.
On top of all that there's also shipping and marketing.

And that's not all. Because adding a product at the bottom of lineup will hit the sales of the next one ($200), which costs exactly the same to make, but has a much higher margin.

If they decided to launch the 3500, there's clearly some money to be made. But the "all chips" statement is an oversimplification.
They've done the calculations and maybe they'll try to sell 28.3% of bad dies. We'll never know. ;-)

 

[eidairaman1]

Would be an interesting toy

 

[Deleted member 67555]

Micro Center pricing doesn't apply to a lot of the US, much less the rest of the world.

There's no guarantee that this will even be a retail chip. It could be only OEM like the 2500X.

That might be changing somewhat.
From what I understand Microcenter has or is going to start a store on the Amazon Market place to strictly sell Clearance items such as the R5-1600..
From what I gather they won't be offering the combo prices and you won't get the In Store price.
If I understand it right if the in store price of something is say $80 you can expect to pay $90 which is still probably 10-15% less than Newegg.

I wish I had more details but I can't even remember who told be this so...