AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D: The New CPU Gaming King has Arrived
Last year's undisputed king of gaming, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, now has a challenger to the throne. Available now, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D makes use of Zen 5 architecture to become AMD’s latest and greatest gaming processor.
AMD’s lineup of X3D processors have a track record of being the absolute best chips for gaming. From the Micro Center exclusive Ryzen 5 7600X3D to the last generation's gaming champion, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, AMD has yet to miss the mark and the brand-new AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is no exception. So, what’s new with this chip and what sort of performance can we expect to see from it?
What’s New with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D?
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is remarkably different chip from its predecessors, with several upgrades that make it worth picking up, even if you’re already using an X3D chip.
The biggest change is the upgrade to Zen 5 architecture. Zen 5 naturally delivers up to approximately 16% better performance than the previous Zen 4 architecture, and that’s before factoring in anything that makes the X3D lineup unique.
The other major change is the new 2nd Generation AMD 3D V-Cache technology. The 3D V-Cache is what has made the X3D lineup of chips such strong gaming chips, with additional L3 cache stacked vertically -- hence the name. The second generation of the technology moves the 64MB cache under the processor. This allows for greater cooling potential, opening the chip up to pushing its limits even further, with up to an 8% increase over the previous generation.
This change also enables a first for the X3D lineup: overclocking potential. While the previous generation was locked down, the 9800X3D is fully unlocked, meaning that anyone can overclock it for even more gaming power.
Specs at a Glance
Benchmarks:
Photos: Micro Center If you’re ready to upgrade, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is available now at your local Micro Center, as a stand-alone chip as well as in bundles with 32GB of RAM and either an ASUS B650-E TUF motherboard or MSI X670E MAG motherboard. If you’re looking for ideas on your next build using the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, check out our build guide where we walk you through why we picked the parts before putting the whole thing together on our YouTube Channel.
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Sean Mekinda is Micro Center's Associate Editor, with three years of experience on The Micro Center Community and writing credits across the internet, including Polygon, 25YL, and 614 Magazine. He's been writing about and reviewing tech for over five years. Sean's specialty in gaming, peripherals, and creative projects designed to make your life easier, especially when it comes to tabletop gaming. Contact Sean at SMekinda@microcenter.com
