The Zen Thread

[fitten]

So... Why didn't you add the link to your post?

and @Demento

Well... mostly because this was the Zen thread but here it is, with Linux Tech Tips interviewing the some folks who were restoring Reboot from its master tapes talking about the equipment and restoring the equipment so they could actually read the tapes (that video is in the spoiler below). The group that is/was restoring Reboot also have a documentary on the show and everything (several parts, I haven't watched any of it, yet) on their channel ( https://www.youtube.com/@ReBootRewindDoc )

Spoiler

 

[hobold]

ReBoot, the first raytraced TV series. Most of the scenes you wouldn't know it was RT, because they turned off secondary rays (even basic shadows) for lack of computing resources. But in a few carefully selected scenes they occasionally did a few difficult edge cases better than Pixar would a few years later in Toy Story. (One time, there is this grazing shadow around Buzz's ear that has three different rendering errors simultaneously ... )

 

[IceStorm]

AMD has put up a blog post for Computex 2026

• 7700X3D launches July 16 for $329.
• 5800X3D 10th anniversary edition returns June 25 for $349
• AMD commits to supporting AM5 through 2029
• 9070 GRE launches June 2, MSRP of $549
• They're also working on ultra low latency memory (ULL EXPO), with kits available in June. Seems they think this will net an average of 4% better performance.

 

[evan_s]

Hmmm. Have to think about this. I can probably sell my 5600x for ~$100 so is $250 net worth the upgrade to the 5800X3D? It's interesting that the 7700X3D has a lower MSRP but since it means new MB and more importantly DDR5 memory right now the total upgrade cost would still be massively higher. I wonder/hope that the 5700X3D will make a return along with the 5800X3D and that will be a cheaper option for those willing to look for it.

 

[El Capitano]

It's a bit irritating that the 5800X3D is basically going to be the same price you can get a 7800X3D for. Yeah, I know, it's so you don't have to replace the motherboard and RAM on an AM4 board, but still, meh.

 

[Drizzt321]

Especially with RAM prices. But yeah.

 

[IceStorm]

Hardware Unboxed's speculation is that the 5800X3D price may fall over time, same as it did last time.

If anything, it may push used prices down a bit.

 

[hobold]

I guess the first batch of anniversary 5800X3Ds will sell at its high introductory price, but then sanity will prevail very quickly. Don't fall for the FOMO, and you'll be good.

The compute die is made on TSMC 7nm, the I/O die on GlobalFoundries' 12nm, and there is no shortage of supply on these nodes. Neither was there any real price hike for that kind of silicon. The stacking of dies could be a bit of a bottleneck, but IMHO that's unlikely; most customers of "advanced packaging" have moved on to more modern variants.

 

[Demento]

Hmmm. Have to think about this. I can probably sell my 5600x for ~$100 so is $250 net worth the upgrade to the 5800X3D? It's interesting that the 7700X3D has a lower MSRP but since it means new MB and more importantly DDR5 memory right now the total upgrade cost would still be massively higher. I wonder/hope that the 5700X3D will make a return along with the 5800X3D and that will be a cheaper option for those willing to look for it.

Bear in mind that a regular 7700 is the same speed as a 5800X3D in most gaming. I don't know US prices, but here that's at least a £150 savings that will pay for the motherboard change. DDR4 for the moment still has a sale value, as well. Then you're at the same performance but can drop in an upgrade to Zen 7 later, instead of being on the best gaming CPU your platform will ever have. DDR6 keeps getting delayed and it's unlikely desktop users will see it before 2029 now.

 

[hansmuff]

Bear in mind that a regular 7700 is the same speed as a 5800X3D in most gaming. I don't know US prices, but here that's at least a £150 savings that will pay for the motherboard change. DDR4 for the moment still has a sale value, as well. Then you're at the same performance but can drop in an upgrade to Zen 7 later, instead of being on the best gaming CPU your platform will ever have. DDR6 keeps getting delayed and it's unlikely desktop users will see it before 2029 now.

Counter-point:
If you're on an older AM4 CPU, you can stretch until AM6. Yes, you'll be tapped out on AM4 but you can easily last to 2029 or 2030. Then do DDR6 and all the new stuff.

Switching motherboards and RAM, dealing with selling/buying, and re-building your machine isn't a small effort. And you have to get to know the new motherboard and all that.

 

[Drizzt321]

Counter-point:
If you're on an older AM4 CPU, you can stretch until AM6. Yes, you'll be tapped out on AM4 but you can easily last to 2029 or 2030. Then do DDR6 and all the new stuff.

Switching motherboards and RAM, dealing with selling/buying, and re-building your machine isn't a small effort. And you have to get to know the new motherboard and all that.

Hopefully I can last until AM6, we'll see. I'd like to be able to upgrade next year sometime, we'll see how finances go. Until then, the OG 5080X3D and my new AM4 B550 (after a cap blew on my X370) should last me plenty long enough, I'm thinking.