The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X processor, with an 8-core, 16-thread architecture and excellent power efficiency and performance, is not your average chip. The Ryzen 7 3700X is a powerful flagship processor from AMD, which brings some gotchas with it, including some compatibility problems with current motherboards.
Let’s go over what you need to know about Ryzen 7 3700X & MB
Here are the most common incompatibilities and problems you may face when setting up your Ryzen 7 3700X with a motherboard.
1. Compatibility Issues With X470 Motherboard & Ryzen 7 3700X
Though the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is compatible with many different AM4 motherboards, there are some issues when using it on an MSI Performance Gaming AMD X470 Ryzen 2ND and 3rd Gen AM4 DDR4. The incompatibilities can include black screens during bootup, instant system shutdowns, and also some specific Ryzen 3rd gen problems.
2. Compatibility Issues With X570 Motherboard & Ryzen 7 3700X
Some Gigabyte X570 motherboards have incompatible PCIe cards or RAM that don’t work with the new Ryzen chipset. Though the motherboard makers are working on a solution for this problem, there is no specific date set for release.
3. Compatibility Issues With MSI ProSeries AMD Ryzen 2ND and 3rd Gen AM4
Some motherboards with the MSI ProSeries AMD Ryzen 2ND and 3rd Gen AM4 are having issues with memory capacity, bootup failures, and other problems. While the MSI ProSeries AMD Ryzen 2ND and 3rd Gen AM4 is compatible with the Ryzen 7 3700X, there are some compatibility problems.
4. Compatibility Issues With MSI MPG X570 GAMING EDGE AC & Ryzen 7 3700X
Some motherboards like the MSI MEG X570 Gaming Edge Aurora and other MSI motherboards cause CSOD (Crash on Display) errors when used with Ryzen 3rd Generation processors. There are also issues with many other MSI motherboards, which cause problems like hanging during boot up, errors about memory capacity, and other Ryzen 3rd gen problems.
Ryzen 7 3700X Temperature Problems
The temperature problems with the Ryzen 7 3700X aren’t just limited to cooling issues. It can throttle due to motherboard and BIOS incompatibility. For example, when the Ryzen 7 3700X was tested on a MSI MEG X570 ACE motherboard, it was observed that the CPU cores were throttling at 80 degrees Celsius.
Furthermore, there are other problems like low GPU utilization and high RAM latency times, which can cause problems like stuttering and general performance issues.
There are also temperature readings that go beyond the range of the CPU temperature sensor, or display temperatures that are higher than what is being reported by temperature monitoring software.
The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X has a TDP rating of 105W, which means that it shouldn’t throttle under normal circumstances, though the temperature problems are definitely something to be concerned about.
Ryzen 7 3700X Requires Special Cooling for Optimal Performance
While the Ryzen 7 3700x is an excellent performance addition, it does need special cooling for optimal performance. AMD states that Ryzen processors require at least a Wraith Spire cooler in order to maintain full performance. The Wraith Prism is preferred if you want overclocking abilities.
However, it has been observed that the best performance is achieved by pairing Ryzen 7 3700X with a high-end air cooler like the Noctua NH-D15 SE-AM4. This would require you to buy an aftermarket cooling solution which can cost up to $100 or more, depending on your motherboard choice.
Ryzen 7 3700X Lacks XFR & Precision Boost Overdrive
While the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X has an impressive core count, it lacks the overclocking abilities of the previous generation. The problem is that there are no new features to take advantage of. With the 2700X, you get two new overclocking tools with XFR2 and Precision Boost Overdrive. There are some Ryzen 7 3700X performance issues because of this.
Additionally, the new CPUs don’t support PCIe 4.0, which is something that enthusiasts will likely be disappointed about. While PCIe 4.0 isn’t widely available yet, the lack of backward compatibility with older motherboards will pose problems for those who want to upgrade.
Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Issues & Ryzen 9 3900X Memory Bandwidth Issues
AMD has released a new series of CPUs which have been facing a lot of problems lately. The Ryzen 9 3900X and the Ryzen 7 3700X are having issues with memory bandwidth, a lack of XFR2 and Precision Boost Overdrive, and there are some temperature problems.
There is also the issue of PCIe 4.0 compatibility, which will make it harder for many users to upgrade their motherboards. With an increase in core count comes a decrease in performance per core. The Ryzen 7 3700X has lower clock speeds than the previous generation, which means that there are some Ryzen 7 3700X performance issues that are related to this.
AMD promised more cores but they also promised better per core performance, which isn’t the case with both the Ryzen 9 3900X and the Ryzen 7 3700X. The reason is that these CPUs have lower clock speeds than the previous generation due to higher core count.
However, the Ryzen 7 3700X is still a great choice for gamers who are looking to upgrade their processors at a lower price point. If you are looking to overclock then you should definitely get something else since overclocking isn’t an option anymore.
There might be some potential power draw issues with the tweaks that AMD has implemented. It is possible that AMD is using a lower voltage than before to limit power draw but it’s not certain whether this will cause real-world issues with the kind of setup and motherboard type used.
There are also reports that there is no support for XFR2 and Precision Boost Overdrive. This means that the processor will automatically adjust clock speeds which could lead to some Ryzen 7 3700X performance issues.
It is possible that the memory bandwidth issue could be resolved with an update, but there are still some Ryzen 7 3700X problems that might not be able to go away without a patch. This is something else that will require more testing and more feedback from users before it can be confirmed.
Ryzen 9 3900X AES-NI Support
The biggest problem with the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is that it doesn’t support AES-NI instructions. This means that Virtual Machines and some software suites will suffer because of this. There are also some Ryzen 7 3700X problems because of this, especially when you compare them to Intel’s offering.
Nowadays, CPUs are already used in a variety of tasks that have nothing to do with just gaming. If you are planning on building a PC for work or school then the Intel i9-9900K might be a better choice because it has AES-NI instructions which allow it to support virtual machines and some software suites.
The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X has lower clock speeds than the Ryzen 7 3700X. It is also possible that the power draw issues are related to this, since higher clock speeds naturally mean more power consumption which can lead to an increase in overall temperature.
Ryzen 9 3900X vs 2700X Memory Bandwidth Issues
AMD promised better performance with their second generation of Ryzen CPUs, but as it turns out the memory bandwidth of the Ryzen 7 3700X and the Ryzen 9 3900X is worse than on their predecessors.
Memory latency, throughput, and input/output operations per second are all worse on these new processors. It is possible that this issue will be resolved with a patch or driver update and hopefully better memory compatibility.
However, the Ryzen 7 3700X is still a good choice for gamers because it has higher clock speeds than its predecessor. This means that it will have more performance per core but also lower overall performance due to increased core count. If you are looking to upgrade then this might not be the best option unless you are planning on overclocking.
CPU Memory Compatibility Issues on Ryzen 7 3700X and 3900X
Some users have been reporting that their CPUs aren’t working with some DDR4 memory modules. This can cause issues such as crashes, blue screens of death, or even damage to the CPU itself.
Now it’s unclear whether this is a new issue with AMD’s latest processors or whether this is just a coincidence, but if you are planning on upgrading then it might be best to either test your memory and see how it works with Ryzen 7 3700X and Ryzen 9 3900X or purchase newer modules for future compatibility.
Ryzen 7 3700x Temperature Range
As each CPU has its own temperature range for optimal performance, it is also best to check the acceptable temperature limits of the Ryzen 7 3700X and 3900X as well as their heatsinks before finalizing a purchase.
In fact, some people who have been using these CPUs for a while have experienced an increase in clock speeds when their CPU temperatures were increased by about 20 degrees Celsius.
This means that the Ryzen 7 3700X and 3900X might be delivering higher performance than what is advertised, but this has yet to be confirmed. Of course, it is also possible that running CPUs at their maximum temperature will result in decreased performance over time which would just mean that you are pushing your luck if you increase the CPU temperature too much.
If you already have a Ryzen 7 3700X or a Ryzen 9 3900X then it would be best to monitor your temperatures and check whether or not they are reaching their limits. If so, then either get a better cooler for them or just stick to the advertised performance.
Ryzen 7 3700X Power Draw Issues at Idle
While many Ryzen 7 3700x power draw issues are not known whether they are an actual issue or just a case of the media blowing things out of proportion, but some tech news sites are talking about how the Ryzen 7 3700X draws more power at idle than what AMD originally claimed.
AMD claims that these CPUs draw under 10 watts of power at idle, but tech news sites are saying that they can draw between 10 and 16 watts at idle. This is likely due to the fact that some users have reported higher power consumption on older motherboards, but it will be interesting to see whether or not AMD fixes this issue with a software update.
Ryzen 7 3700x Temperature Idle
The temperature where the Ryzen 7 3700 idles at does not seem to be a problem as it hovers around 30 degrees Celsius on idle when it is matched with the best motherboard.
This is a bit higher than what AMD stated, but this is likely due to the fact that some Ryzen 7 3700X power draw issues are resulting in higher CPU temperatures. Now if you read our review of the Ryzen 9 3900X then you would know that the idle temperature for this CPU is around 41 degrees Celsius which is a lot higher than what AMD claimed.
This means that if you are going to be buying a Ryzen 7 3700X or a Ryzen 9 3900X then it might be best to check out the heat sink compatibility before making your purchase as these CPUs have an increased core count which can cause them to run hotter.
Ryzen 7 3700x temperature Spikes
If you notice temperature spikes with your Ryzen 7 3700x or Ryzen 9 3900x then it is likely due to power draw issues or the implementation of XFR2. To fix this, all you need to do is make sure that the latest BIOS for your motherboard has been installed and monitor your CPU temperatures closely with HW Info64.
You don’t have to go further than Reddit, where you will find real Ryzen CPU users who have reported that their Ryzen 7 3700X and Ryzen 9 3900X CPUs have been reaching temperatures from 60 up to 100 degrees Celsius in between low and high user case scenarios.
These high temperatures could be due to a number of issues, but what is interesting about this issue is that there were only reports from people who had already updated their BIOS for their motherboard which suggests that it might be being caused by a software update rather than hardware issues.
There are also reports of unstable operation with the Ryzen 7 3700X and Ryzen 9 3900X when using older BIOS revisions, so it might be best to stay on top of your motherboard manufacturer’s website in order to get the latest update for your motherboard which should resolve these issues.
Ryzen 7 3700x Temperature Throttling
The Ryzen 7 3700X and Ryzen 9 3900X CPUs throttle when they reach temperatures of 80 to 100 degrees Celsius. This temperature range is usually reserved for heavy overclocking, but then again, it would be the first time in the history of computing if you could overclock an AMD Ryzen CPU at stock speeds.
No matter what though, it would be interesting to see how the 3700X and 3900X would work under heavy loads if their temperatures are locked at 80 degrees Celsius as this means that you are not getting the full potential of your CPU unless you are doing some serious cooling.
Ryzen 7 3700x Temperature Overclocking
If you are looking to overclock your Ryzen 7 3700X then it is going to be a similar process as with previous CPUs from AMD. You will need a high-end cooler in order to get your CPU under control and a custom BIOS that can help you push beyond standard clock speeds. Without this, there is no way that you will get anywhere near the 4.4 GHz clock speed that AMD has promised.
One of the best ways to get there then is by following this guide which outlines how you can overclock your Ryzen 7 3700X in order to get the best performance possible from it.
Ryzen 7 3700x Temperature Stock Cooler
Ryzen 7 3700x’s temperature stock cooler is around 28 degrees Celsius on idle and hits 45 to 50 degrees Celsius when it is loaded. This is quite similar to the Ryzen 5 3600X which managed 49 degrees Celsius under load, but this is where you will want to make sure that your cooler can keep up with these CPUs in terms of cooling abilities.
With the 3700X, you will likely want to make sure you have a high-end air cooler or even better, a water-cooler if you want it to keep nice and cool under heavy loads. The good thing about the AMD Ryzen 2000 Series CPUs is that they do not run as hot as their first generation counterparts which means that there are plenty of options out there which will run cool and not cost as much such as the Cryorig H7 Quad Lumi.
Ryzen 9 3900x Temperature AMD Wraith Prism
The Ryzen 9 3900X is made with a 28-degree Celsius idle and 55 degrees Celsius load temperatures. This is similar to what we got from the Ryzen 7 3700X and 3600X, but this is where you will want to make sure that your cooler can keep up with these CPUs in terms of cooling abilities.
With the 3900X, you will likely want to make sure you have a high-end air cooler or even better, a water-cooler if you want it to keep nice and cool under heavy loads. The good thing about the Ryzen 2000 Series CPUs is that they do not run as hot as their first-generation counterparts which means that there are plenty of options out there in terms of cooling for your CPU.
The Wraith Prism air cooler will allow you to keep your CPU nice and cool under high loads, but it will require more effort on your part in terms of installation. On the plus side, this air cooler is going to allow you to get a solid overclocking potential out of your CPU and will still keep it nice and cool under high loads.
