AMD has recently officially un veiled Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the first desktop processor with Zen 5 architecture that features an additional 3D V-Cache buffer. The chips will go on sale on November 7, but the first detailed reviews of the new CPUs’ capabilities have already been published. Developers claim that we are dealing with the world’s fastest gaming processor. Do independent reviewers confirm this, and what is the real advantage of the new 8-core chip over its predecessor Ryzen 7 7800X3D? The balance of power with Intel processors is also interesting, but unfortunately, no intrigue is expected there.

First test results of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor

As a reminder, by placing a layer with an additional L3 under the chip with computing blocks (CCD), the developers managed to significantly increase the operating frequencies of Ryzen 7 9800X3D to 4.7/5.2 GHz. The total capacity of the third-level cache is 96 MB (32 MB + 64 MB), TDP is 120 W.

First test results of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor

After testing the new processor, TechPowerUp colleagues note that the Ryzen 7 9800X3D has significantly increased its overall computing performance. On average, it’s 15-17% faster than the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, outperforms the Ryzen 7 9700X and Core Ultra 5 245K (+5%), and even managed to beat the 12-core Ryzen 7 7900 in the overall standings. This is a noticeable improvement over its predecessor, but given that the operating frequencies are not lowered like the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, we would like to see an even greater increase. However, not all work tasks are significantly accelerated with an increase in L3.

First test results of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor

In the “core discipline” of gaming, AMD’s new chip really has no competitors. Although there is a reason to grumble here as well. A new architecture, a new 3D V-Cache, higher operating frequencies, and the result is an average acceleration of only ~4% compared to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. And this is when using a GeForce RTX 4090 video card and Full HD graphics mode. In 1440p, the difference drops to 2-3%, and in 4K it is already within the measurement error.

The advantage over Intel chips does not raise any special questions. However, there were none in the case of Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

First test results of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor
First test results of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor
First test results of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor

There is a separate fee for additional acceleration of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. I was frankly surprised by the power consumption of the new CPUs. In multi-pot mode, it doubled compared to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D – 155 W vs. 74 W. This is already the level of 16-core Ryzen 9 7950X or Core Ultra 7 265K or Core 5 14600K. The average figures for the results in different work applications also differ by almost half – 88 W vs. 48 W. In games, the difference is smaller, but also noticeable (65 W vs. 46 W).

We assume that the motherboard firmware still needs additional optimizations to set up the optimal operating modes for Ryzen 7 9800X3D. So we can expect some improvements here.

The new CPU has an unlocked boost factor, which simplifies the process of overclocking the processor. TechpowerUp reviewers managed to additionally increase the operating frequency of the chip by 200 MHz – up to 5400 MHz. This is not impressive, but it is only against the background of the fact that the chip is already accelerated to 5200 MHz in normal mode.

On November 7, Ryzen 7 9800X3D will go on sale. The recommended price for the US market is $479. So, we probably shouldn’t expect prices in Ukraine below the equivalent of $500, and at the start, they will traditionally be even higher.