AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D review: Maintaining its legendary title as the best gaming CPU with a slam dunk on Intel

As a long-time gaming enthusiast who has seen his fair share of CPU generations come and go, I find myself intrigued by AMD’s latest offering – the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This beast of a processor is undeniably the king of gaming CPUs, delivering unparalleled performance for high-FPS gameplay.

I can tell you that extra cores and threads benefit raw productivity performance, but I’ll always feel the temptation of a gaming-centric CPU that delivers boosted framerates, something AMD has repeatedly delivered with its -X3D chips.

In every new wave of processor technology, it’s evident that I, as an observer, notice a common trend: Gamers are constantly seeking top-notch performance at affordable prices. They view any improvements in desktop performance as a delightful bonus along the way.

For many CPU sellers, AMD has consistently held the number one position, and the Ryzen 7 7800X3D from the previous generation has been dominating the gaming market since it was launched.

Should there be any change, it would likely come from a direct successor, and that appears to be the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, finally unveiled.

Ryzen 7 9800X3D: Price, availability, and specs

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D review: Maintaining its legendary title as the best gaming CPU with a slam dunk on Intel

At its debut, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D stands alone as the Zen 5 processor within AMD’s Ryzen 9000X3D series. Additional models, tentatively including a 9900X3D and 9950X3D, are rumored to be released in the future.

The 8-core, 16-thread AMD APU (System on Chip) known as the Ryzen 7 9800X3D operates at a base TDP of 120W, much like its previous version, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. In terms of specifications, it is quite comparable to AMD’s Ryzen 7 9700X chip, which boasts a lower TDP and smaller L3 cache, with an emphasis on productivity tasks rather than gaming performance.

Starting off at an official price point of $479, this model costs $30 more than its predecessor, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D priced at $449. However, prices in stores show a slight increase, but not significantly so.

AMD has transitioned from a 4nm manufacturing process to a 5nm one using TSMC’s foundry, yet it continues to use the same AM5 socket. This new generation also works with compatible 9000X3D motherboards and maintains support for the same CPU coolers as its preceding Zen 4 (7000 Series) processors.

Upgrading from a Ryzen 7000X3D chip would be a straightforward process for enthusiasts. Still, it wouldn’t provide as much of a performance leap as it would for those using a Ryzen 7 5800X3D or similar AM4 variants using now-incompatible DDR4 memory modules (RAM) as AM5 requires DDR5.

After trying out AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D and Ryzen 8000 Series CPUs such as the Ryzen 5 8600G and Ryzen 7 8700G, I was already equipped with a motherboard compatible with the AM5 socket, specifically the ASUS ROG STRIX B650-A Gaming WiFi. To make sure everything worked smoothly with the latest software, AMD supplied fresh samples. Additionally, they provided EXPO-compatible RAM running at 6000MHz. Arctic’s Liquid Freezer III 360mm AIO cooler was also sent to evaluate another processor, but it still delivered exceptional cooling performance in this setup.

Ryzen 7 9800X3D: CPU benchmarks

Regardless of the specific purpose a processor was built for, it consistently aces my standard battery of synthetic benchmarks that evaluate single-core and multi-core performance across various productivity tasks. Although I’m tempted to jump straight to gaming trials, it’s crucial to understand where the Ryzen 7 9800X3D stands among its counterparts in burst processing and prolonged, high-stress tests.

In terms of multi-core performance for rapid processing tests within Geekbench 6, the 9800X3D outperforms its less potent non-X3D relative, the $359 Ryzen 7 9700X. However, it lags behind in single-core benchmarks.

When compared to its forerunner, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D showed a boost of approximately 21-22% in synthetic performance benchmarks.

Notably, Intel’s $589 Core Ultra 9 285K significantly outperforms in multi-core tests due to its design, but there isn’t a substantial difference in single-core performance – keep this in mind when I discuss gaming performance. Additionally, it boasts approximately a 22% improvement in generational burst performance compared to AMD’s previous model, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

In summary, prolonged stress tests using Cinebench 2024 continue to paint a familiar picture. The 9800X3D maintains its slight edge over the Ryzen 7 9700X, and it’s now closing in on Intel’s Core Ultra 5 245K, as observed previously. Over time, single-core performance tilts towards Intel, with a more significant lead seen in the Core Ultra 9 285K, which consistently outperforms its counterparts significantly in multi-core equivalents, demonstrating exceptional dominance in productivity applications by an enormous margin. Moreover, the 9800X3D shows a 21% sustained generation improvement compared to the 7800X3D, matching the results from burst tests.

Ryzen 7 9800X3D: Gaming benchmarks

As an ardent enthusiast, I can’t help but be excited by AMD’s claim of a 8% average gaming performance boost with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D compared to its predecessor, the 7800X3D. The actual improvement can vary based on game-specific nuances that influence whether a title leans more towards CPU or GPU demands. However, over time, this gap tends to widen with subsequent driver updates. Given that the 7800X3D was previously the cream of the gaming CPU crop, these enhancements are hardly shocking. Instead, it’s the comparison between the 9800X3D and Intel’s flagship CPU, the Core Ultra 9 285K, that truly piques my curiosity.

Matching estimations, Black Myth: Wukong scores almost identically on AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K, while the “121.9%” gains promised in the CPU-centric title Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation didn’t manifest in my testing, sticking around 6% instead. While not much of a surprise given its excellent performance on practically any hardware, Forza Horizon 5 scores an outrageous average of 387 FPS, which is perfect for anyone who uses those 360Hz 1080p gaming monitors. However, something clearly is bugged on Intel’s side, so I’m skipping the implied percentage gain for Forza.

Moving from a disastrous launch to a patched-up marvel, Cyberpunk 2077 sees a 52% performance increase on the 9800X3D over Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K, proving far better of a pairing to NVIDIA’s current high-end GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card. Far Cry 6 bumps up performance by 43% with the same GPU and DDR5-6000 RAM pairing, and the latest blockbuster Call of Duty entry enjoys a 41% lead as the 9800X3D earns extra frames in Black Ops 6.

In my examination focusing on well-known AAA games played on PC, I observed approximately a 36% boost in gaming performance using the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Granted, if I had limited my testing to just games that were closer to AMD’s generational game performance chart at 100% to 110%, my result would have been lower. However, it’s encouraging to see visually-rich blockbuster titles like Call of Duty and Cyberpunk 2077 achieve such substantial increases, which suggests the new processor performs well right out of the box.

Is the Ryzen 7 9800X3D good for gaming?

Absolutely, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D now takes the crown as the top gaming CPU on the market, surpassing its predecessor, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. With 96MB of second-generation 3D V-Cache in the Zen 5 architecture, it delivers a higher frame rate (FPS) in games compared to Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K, a competitor that boasts more cores and threads, a faster clock speed, and a slightly higher thermal design power (TDP). In essence, while Intel’s CPU provides better multi-core performance in productivity tasks and synthetic benchmarks, AMD comes out on top when it comes to gaming performance.

Ryzen 7 9800X3D: Competition

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D faces competition from three main contenders, but for budget-conscious individuals, only two would be given serious consideration. Among these, Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K squares off against AMD’s gaming CPU primarily due to its position as the most potent chip in the latest Core Ultra Series 200S lineup. However, this 24-core, 24-thread processor comes with a price tag of approximately $589 to $630 and caters to a distinct audience that values energy efficiency within productivity-focused software environments.

The gaming performance of Intel’s latest Core i9-14900K is comparable to that of its previous generation, the i9-13900K. However, initially, it encountered a widespread microcode bug during launch which was later addressed for the production of 14th Gen chips, ensuring improved performance.

Despite the upcoming launch of AMD’s Ryzen 9800X3D, listings for the Core i9-14900K remain approximately $440. This makes it an appealing choice because some of its top motherboards are compatible with the established LGA 1700 socket, offering both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM options. This versatility can help reduce the overall expense of a custom build.

From within Team Red’s camp, there’s a significant rival emerging, as the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D doesn’t offer enough improvement over the new 9800X3D to encourage an upgrade for those who already own one. Conversely, individuals who have transitioned to the AM5 socket with new motherboards and DDR5 RAM might find it appealing to swap their processor for this new model without needing additional components. However, spending nearly $500 for a potential performance increase of 8-22% isn’t particularly enticing.

For individuals currently using a Ryzen 7 5800X3D in 2022, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D might be a more sensible upgrade option. However, this does require motherboard and RAM upgrades, which could impact your budget. Fortunately, many AM4-compatible CPU coolers are compatible with AM5 replacements, helping to mitigate the costs somewhat.

On the positive side, upgrading from the 5800X3D will offer you a more substantial performance increase, as it supports PCIe 5.0 (Gen 5), allowing for faster storage options with the CPU upgrade. However, it’s tricky because only those who are willing to spend additional money on a complete system overhaul will experience the most significant advantages from this upgrade.

Ryzen 7 9800X3D: Should you buy?

You should buy this if …

✅ You want the absolute best gaming CPU on the market.

✅ You crave the highest framerate count possible for high-FPS gameplay.

You should not buy this if …

❌ You’re already using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D or high-end 14th Gen Core i9.

❌ You rely on productivity apps that demand the best multi-core performance.

Let’s be clear: The Ryzen 7 9800X3D has taken over as the top gaming CPU, outperforming its predecessor significantly. However, when it comes to productivity tasks such as data analysis in Microsoft Office and Teams, other models like the 9900X and 9950X are more suited due to their superior performance. On the other hand, if you’re a gamer, this Ryzen CPU is a far better choice compared to Intel’s current productivity-focused offerings.

Regrettably, the individuals who stand to gain the most from this upgrade will have to shell out a substantial sum for a new motherboard and RAM, which might make the increase in the 9800X3D’s MSRP feel a bit more painful than a mild $30 pinch. Yet, this is the current direction for PC gaming, and there’s no other technology that can match its prowess in delivering massive FPS rates if you pair it with a powerful GPU to savor the latest AAA games brimming with visual opulence.

2024-11-06 17:09