Five years have passed since the release of the first generation of 8-core Ryzen processors. Then, back in 2017, chips based on the Zen 1 architecture gave a lot of gamers and enthusiasts a pretty good opportunity in terms of price/performance ratio. Nevertheless, even at the time of the release of a new creation by Jim Keller (leading developer of the Zen architecture), experts noted that the current Intel CPUs based on the SkyLake architecture significantly outperform Zen 1 in terms of IPC. Moreover, in the course of the then research, it turned out that the new AMD development is not able to show a stable superiority over the 3-year-old Haswell architecture that was already outdated in 2017.
Of course, Zen showed unprecedented speed in processing complex calculations and rendering, but at the same time, it was significantly inferior to Haswell in games of that era.
Now, in general, everything has fallen into place: multi-core chips like the 1600X, 1700X, and 1800X no longer feel any threat from the 4-core Core i7-4770K or its derivatives. Nevertheless, thanks to the enterprising Chinese, Haswell server chips like the Xeon E5-2630 v3 ended up in the hands of many gamers. Exactly like the first generation of Zen, they have a large number of cores/threads and a huge supply of third-level cache memory, which makes very “tidbits” out of such CPUs.
In this article, we will try to answer the burning question: which of the architectures turned out to be stronger in the long run: Zen 1 or Haswell?
The fastest chip in the first generation of Zen, the Ryzen 7 1800X, was chosen as the test subject from the “red” camp. The “blue” giant will be protected by several available server processors based on the Haswell architecture: Xeon E5-2620 v3, E5-2630 v3, E5-2660 v3, and E5-2670 v3. By the way, even a 12-core, 24-thread 2670 v3 will cost much less than the Ryzen 7 1700X chip, not to mention the 1800X.
Nevertheless, it seems fair to us to name the 8-core, 16-thread Xeon E5-2630 v3 as the main competitor of the Ryzen 7 1800X.
Processor
This is an 8-core, 16-thread processor based on the relatively current first-generation AMD Zen architecture, codenamed Ryzen 7 1800X. Let’s take a look at the chip itself:
The marking of our test copy is YD180XBCM88AE UA 1843PGS; The chip was manufactured on the 43rd week of 2018 in Malaysia, its base frequency is 3600MHz, and the TDP is set at around 95 watts. This is a very modest figure, so almost any cooler in the middle price segment can handle cooling this CPU.
The 1800X processor is based on a 14nm die with two CCX blocks: each of the blocks contains 4 cores, 8 threads, and 8MB of L3 cache. This chip is designed for installation in motherboards with an AM4 socket, its base frequency is 3600 MHz, however, using Precision Boost technology, it can slightly increase: 4000 MHz for one core and 3700 MHz for all 8 cores, 16 threads (under heavy load using AVX2 – 3500-3600MHz).
The Ryzen 7 1800X features 512KB L2 cache per core and a total L3 cache of 16MB. The speed of the memory controller built into the processor of the 1800X is related to the frequency of the RAM and depends entirely on its characteristics. The maximum frequency of RAM is limited by a dual-channel DDR4-2666MHz controller. However, this was the case before. Since the release of the AM4 platform in 2017, the BIOS of the vast majority of motherboards has been significantly improved, thanks to which, in the realities of 2022, the first generation of Ryzen processors function without any problems with DDR4-3200 strips. We have successfully used this.
In addition to all the above characteristics, it should be noted that the 8-core Zena has SSE4.2, FMA3, AVX, and AVX2 instructions, which are so necessary for the realities of 2022. This feature will help avid gamers to launch almost any new product of this year without any problems, and, as practice shows, even with activated ray tracing.
Test setup and software
Test setup
- Intel processors— Xeon X3470, Core i7-2600, Xeon X5660, Xeon E5-2667, Xeon E5-2620 v3, Xeon E5-2630 v3, Xeon E5-2660 v3, Xeon E5-2670 v3;
- AMD processors— Ryzen 7 1800X, FX-8350, FX-6350;
- CPU cooling — Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition (RR-212S-20PK-R1);
- RAM for LGA 1155/1156 — 4 x 8GB HyperX Genesis Na’Vi Edition (KHX16C9C2K2/8) with a total capacity of 32GB;
- RAM for LGA 1366 — 3 x 8GB HyperX Genesis Na’Vi Edition (KHX16C9C2K2/8) with a total capacity of 24GB;
- RAM for LGA 2011 — 4 x 8GB Micron MT36JSF1G72PZ-1G4M1HF with a total capacity of 32GB;
- RAM for LGA 2011 v3 — 4 x 4GB G.SKILL DDR4 F4-2400C15S-4GNT with a total capacity of 16GB;
- RAM for AM3+ — 4 x 8GB HyperX Genesis Na’Vi Edition (KHX16C9C2K2/8) with a total capacity of 32GB;
- RAM for AM4 – 2 x 8GB G.SKILL Trident Z RGB F4-3600C19-8GTZRB (H5AN8G8NCJR-TFC chips) with a total capacity of 16GB;
- Motherboard LGA 1156 — DELL OptiPlex 980 (0D441T, mod-BIOS);
- Motherboard LGA 1155 — Gigabyte GA-Z68P-DS3 (rev. 2.0);
- Motherboard LGA 1366 — DELL T3500 (09KPNV);
- Motherboard LGA 2011 — DELL T3610 (09M8Y8);
- Motherboard LGA 2011 v3 — Qiyida X99-H9 with a modified BIOS from Huananzhi x99-8m-f (Unlock Turbo Boost, timing control unlocked);
- Motherboard AM3+ — ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0;
- Motherboard AM4 – Gigabyte X470 AORUS ULTRA GAMING;
- Graphics card — KFA2 GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8GB (~1950/14816MHz, Power Limit 112%);
- SSD — KINGSTON SUV400S37120G 120,0 GB (Windows 10), KINGSTON SUV400S37240G 240,0 GB + KINGSTON SUV400S37400G 400,0 GB (Games);
- Power supply — Chieftec GPS-1250C.
Software
- Operating system: Windows 10 x64 with latest updates for August 2022;
- Graphics card drivers: NVIDIA GeForce 516.94 WHQL;
- Additional software for measuring FPS: MSI Afterburner 4.6.4;
- Games: testing was conducted on current versions of games as of August 2022;
- Game settings: testing was conducted at the highest possible graphics settings in 720p resolution.
Test processor settings
- Intel processors:
- Core i7-2600@3400MHz, Dual-Channel DDR3@1866MHz (DDR3 timings 10-11-11-26, DDR3 voltage 1.550v);
- Xeon X3470@3200MHz, Dual-Channel DDR3@1333MHz;
- Xeon X5660@3066MHz, Triple-Channel DDR3@1333MHz;
- Xeon E5-2667@3200MHz, Quad-Channel DDR3@1333MHz;
- Xeon E5-2620 v3@3200MHz, Quad-Channel DDR4@1866MHz (DDR4 timings 10-10-10-24);
- Xeon E5-2630 v3@3200MHz, Quad-Channel DDR4@1866MHz (DDR4 timings 10-10-10-24);
- Xeon E5-2660 v3@3300MHz, Quad-Channel DDR4@2133MHz (DDR4 timings 12-12-12-32);
- Xeon E5-2670 v3@3100MHz, Quad-Channel DDR4@2133MHz (DDR4 timings 12-12-12-35).
- AMD processors:
- Ryzen 7 1800X@3700MHz, Dual-Channel DDR4@3200MHz (DDR4 timings 16-17-17-35, SOC voltage 1.230v);
- FX-6350@4200MHz, CPU-NB@2200MHz, Dual-Channel DDR3@1866MHz;
- FX-6350@4595MHz, CPU-NB@2608MHz, Dual-Channel DDR3@2086MHz (DDR3 timings 11-12-12-30, CPU Core voltage — 1.440v, CPU-NB voltage — 1.375v, DDR3 voltage — 1.660v);
- FX-8350@4200MHz, CPU-NB@2200MHz, Dual-Channel DDR3@1866MHz;
- FX-8350@4434MHz, CPU-NB@2608MHz, Dual-Channel DDR3@2086MHz (DDR3 timings 11-12-12-30, CPU Core voltage — 1.416v, CPU-NB voltage — 1.375v, DDR3 voltage — 1.660v).
You can learn more about almost all the subjects from our full-fledged articles, or by looking at the blogs section with small notes.
Separately, we recall the processor testing methodology: each game was run five times, then the average frame rate among five runs was selected and it was recorded in the final results. Also, let me remind you again: all the games were installed on the SSD.
Test results
Assassins Creed Valhalla
Despite a significant clock speed advantage, in “Assassins Creed Valhalla”, the eight-core Zen shows a slight 9% lag behind the E5-2630 v3 and slightly outperforms the 6-core E5-2620 v3.
Battlefield 2042
Ray Tracing – ON
“Battlefield 2042” with ray tracing enabled responded much better to the AMD Zen architecture. Here, the 16-thread Ryzen 7 1800X processor matched the E5-2630 v3 chip and showed an extremely confident result of 71 FPS.
Ray Tracing – OFF
However, with ray tracing disabled, the 1800X couldn’t hold its ground and lag behind the E5-2630 v3 by 6%. To be honest, this is not a significant advantage of the 8-core Haswell, however, you should keep in mind the cost of each of the processors and the platform as a whole. Thus, it is not difficult to calculate that for Battlefield 2042 the system on the first Zen does not look attractive.
Cyberpunk 2077
Ray Tracing – ON
Exactly the same conclusions can be drawn for Cyberpunk 2077: with ray tracing activated, the CDPR project works better on the eight-core E5-2630 v3. Ryzen 7 1800X lagged behind its counterpart by 6%.
Ray Tracing – OFF
Turning off the notorious ray tracing allows you to squeeze extra FPS out of 1800X, but even so, the AMD chip could not beat the E5-2630 v3, let alone the E5-2660 v3, or 2670 v3.
Destiny 2
And here is the first long-awaited victory: in the multiplayer session shooter Destiny, the 8-core Ryzen 7 1800X was able to outperform the E5-2630 v3 by 4% and come close to the E5-2660 v3.
Elden Ring
In Elden Ring, the 7 1800X processor took the lead! The AMD chip bypassed absolutely all competitors and showed the most confident minimum FPS.
Far Cry 6
Ray Tracing — ON
Far Cry 6 with RT activated is another game where the 1800X manages to beat all of its opponents, including its direct competitor in the 16-thread E5-2630 v3. 8% is a staggering advantage, especially given the early results of AMD’s 8-core.
Ray Tracing — ON
With ray tracing deactivated, the situation changes quite seriously. The Ryzen 7 1800X still outperforms the Xeon E5-2630 v3 by a significant margin, but AMD’s advantage over the 12-core E5-2670 v3 has almost vanished.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
Ray Tracing — OFF
The 1800X failed miserably in the remaster of SONY’s cult game “Marvel’s Spider-Man” with ray tracing activated. The 8-core Ryzen couldn’t compete even with the 6-core E5-2620 v3, let alone the 8-core or 10-core Haswell.
Ray Tracing — OFF
With RT disabled, the 1800X chip still managed to outperform the E5-2620 v3, but AMD’s representative failed to outperform the E5-2630 v3. In addition, worth noting the extremely low rate of rare events in the 8-core Ryzen, it is not very far from that of the overclocked FX-8350.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
Ray Tracing — ON
“Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy” with ray tracing enabled is another project that put the 1800X on par with the 2620 v3, showing 8-core Ryzen not at its best. Needless to say, the E5-2630 v3 is far beyond AMD’s processor reach.
Ray Tracing — OFF
Without ray tracing, the frame rate increases on all processors without exception. At the same time, the balance of power and the separation do not actually change: the 1800X could not come close to the E5-2630 v3.
Saints Row [2022]
Ray Tracing — ON
In Saints Row with ray tracing activated, the Ryzen 7 1800X chip shows the ultimate performance and literally does not feel any threat from the E5-2620 v3 or E5-2630 v3. Unlike the same AMD FX processors, the top representative of the first generation Zen architecture demonstrates the smoothest, and, most importantly, stable frame rate.
Ray Tracing — OFF
With tracing disabled, the balance of power among the processors does not change: FPS increases insignificantly on all tested CPUs, and Ryzen, in turn, still remains the sole leader, bypassing even the 12-core E5-2670 v3 with a decent margin.
Red Dead Redemption 2
In the second part of the legendary Red Dead Redemption franchise, the 8-core 1800X chip failed to demonstrate the same agility and lagged behind the E5-2630 v3 by a noticeable 11%.
Watch Dogs Legion
Ray Tracing — ON
Finally, we got to the heaviest game from our test package – Watch Dogs Legion. The third part of the popular series from Ubisoft responds quite well to the increase in processor cores, but even so, the Ryzen 7 1800X could only slightly outperform the 6-core E5-2620 v3 and significantly lagged behind its direct competitor in the face of the E5-2630 v3.
Ray Tracing — OFF
A similar picture awaited us in standard mode with ultra graphics settings: the E5-2630 v3 is out of reach for the 1800X. The 8-core Zen has a hard time even against the 6-core Haswell. The E5-2620 v3 was better in terms of minimum FPS.
Difference between Xeon E5-2630 v3 and Ryzen 7 1800X in 11 games
| Game: | Ryzen 7 1800X | Xeon E5-2630 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Assassins Creed Valhalla | +8.6% | |
| Battlefield 2042 RT | +1.41% | |
| Battlefield 2042 | +9.78% | |
| Cyberpunk 2077 RT | +5.97% | |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | +3.33% | |
| Destiny 2 | +4.24% | |
| Elden Ring | +1.72% | |
| Far Cry 6 RT | +10.71% | |
| Far Cry 6 | +6.15% | |
| Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered RT | +11.63% | |
| Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered | +3.28% | |
| Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy RT | +10.96% | |
| Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy | +10.98% | |
| Saints Row [2022] RT | +12.68% | |
| Saints Row [2022] | +14.86% | |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | +10.99% | |
| Watch Dogs Legion RT | +12.24% | |
| Watch Dogs Legion | +14.29% |
Conclusion
Based on our performance review of the Ryzen 7 1800X processor, it turned out that the top CPU based on the Zen 1 architecture is a very controversial product: in 7 out of 11 test games, it is inferior to the 8-core Xeon E5-2630 v3, while operating at a much higher clock speed than an opponent. But these are just numbers. In reality, it all depends on what kind of projects you play, as well as whether you are ready to overpay for the processor and motherboard.
Anticipating your fairly fair comments, I will answer in advance: even if you choose not the top 1800X, but for example the Ryzen 7 1700, the situation will not change much. The cheapest 8-core chip based on the first generation of the Zen architecture is 500-600% more expensive than the E5-2630 v3 (about $15 for the E5-2630 v3 versus $90-100 for the Ryzen 7 1700).
Of course, on the side of the AM4 platform, there is a rather attractive prospect of being able to upgrade to Zen 3 (Ryzen 5000). But it is worth considering – in this case, you will not be able to get off with a budget motherboard and a cheap set of RAM, which means that, compared to LGA 2011 v3, the cost of the final assembly based on the AM4 socket will increase significantly.
In any case, we have provided you with information for reflection, and what to choose is up to you.
