The latest processor has officially been unveiled, accompanied by details about its performance capabilities and specifications. This eight-core gaming CPU is set to lead the charge as the first Ryzen 9000X3D model, building upon the foundation established by the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. AMD claims it will boast a 20% performance advantage over the new Intel Core Extreme i9-295K in gaming applications.
If this new AMD chip lives up to its promise, it will likely be the most potent gaming CPU upon release. The latest Ryzen 9 9800X3D boasts not only a faster clock speed than its renowned predecessor, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, but also a repositioned 3D V-cache chip, enabling it to run at a lower temperature. In the interim, it appears increasingly likely that the shift to the cutting-edge AMD Zen 5 architecture will further boost its performance.
The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2022.
As Intel’s latest processor, the Core i9-13900KS, debuts just weeks after the Intel Arrow Lake launch, it perfectly coincides with the onset of the vacation season.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D worth
The 7900X3D’s price tag is $30 higher than its original launch value of $7800X3D, indicating AMD’s confidence in charging a premium for this processor, despite its modest eight-core configuration. While that’s a significant expense for an eight-core CPU, one has to consider whether the promised gaming performance will justify the added cost?
In comparison, the eight-core Ryzen 7 9700X, lacking 3D V-cache, currently retails for $325, a significantly more affordable option. Meanwhile, Intel’s closest competitors are the Core Extreme 7 265K, priced around $400, and the Core i9 14900K, currently available for approximately $439.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D specs
| Ryzen 7 9800X3D | |
| 8 | |
| 16 | |
| 5.2GHz | |
| 4.7GHz | |
| 8MB | |
| 96 MB (32 MB + 64 MB 3D-optimized cache) | |
| Sure | |
| 120W | |
| AMD Socket AM5 |
Rather than situating the 2nd Gen 3D V-cache chip atop the CPU cores, as was the case with earlier AMD X3D chips, the innovative 9800X3D positions the cache chip beneath the CPU cores, and this time it is a chip of similar dimension to the core chiplet itself.
That’s the idea: by positioning CPU cores closer to the heat-spreader and contact plate of the CPU cooler, AMD can keep the CPU cores running cooler, ultimately allowing for increased clock velocities. Despite maintaining its caching capabilities unchanged, the 9800X3D’s 64MB L3 cache size results in a total of 96MB available for use.
The AMD Ryzen 9 9800X3D processor boasts a peak enhancement clock speed of 5.2 GHz, marking a significant 200 MHz increase over its predecessor, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D’s 5 GHz enhanced clock velocity. Meanwhile, the 9800X3D’s base clock speed clocks in at 4.7GHz, a notable 500MHz boost from its predecessor, the 7800X3D. According to AMD, the forthcoming 9800X3D is expected to deliver an average performance boost of approximately 8% compared to its predecessor, the 7800X3D, in various video game titles. In stark contrast to the novel Intel Arrow Lake CPU variation, the 9800X3D boasts SMT capabilities, allowing it to efficiently execute up to 16 concurrent threads across its eight cores.
If you’re considering building a gaming PC around the upcoming AMD Ryzen 9 9800X3D processor, consider pairing it with the best gaming RAM available today. Our comprehensive guide will walk you through our top recommendations for optimal performance. AMD indicates that the sweet spot for this processor in terms of value and performance will be achieved at a frequency of 6,000MHz.
