Rumours suggest AMD will launch Ryzen 9800X3D later this month, with availability soon after. The CPU should boast higher frequencies to boost performance, but it’ll come at a distinctly higher cost.
According to Wjm47196 on the Chiphell forums, AMD’s first Zen 5 3D V-Cache CPU on AM5 will be Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The chip is rumoured to launch on October 25, followed by store availability during the first week of November. This puts it right against Intel’s Core Ultra 200K processors, launching on October 24.
It’s a smart move, given Team Red needs to counter its rival after Ryzen 9000 got such a lukewarm reception. You’ll just need to wait a couple more weeks to get your hands on one. Although we don’t yet know the specific date, leaks point towards November 7 being the latest.
Specs
Though nothing is official yet, Ryzen 7 9800X3D should carry the same core layout as the regular Ryzen 7 9700X, but with an extra 3D V-Cache layer on top. In other words, we should get eight Zen 5 cores and 16 threads topped by some amount of 3D V-Cache – likely 64MB for a total of 104MB. For reference, the 9700X comes equipped with 40MB total.
Historically, X3D models tend to include slower frequencies, which would set the bar no higher than 9700X’s 5.5GHz boost clock. This is due to the sensitivity of the 3D V-Cache. However, the leaker claims this time will be different, and we should expect higher than the current chip. By how much is unknown.
Lastly, due to the extra cache that requires additional power, the 9800X3D should eat around 120W, which is slightly higher than the updated 105W mode on 9700X. As a reminder, the latter initially shipped with a 65W TDP, which left untapped performance on the table due to the lack of juice.
Performance
Ryzen 7 9800X3D is eagerly awaited by players looking to upgrade their gaming machines. While the uplift for those coming from Ryzen 7 7800X3D may not be groundbreaking, those still rocking a Ryzen 7 5800X3D will surely see a great difference if the higher frequency claim is true.
With the limited information we have available, we expect between a 10% and 15% uplift compared to 7800X3D. At 1080p resolution, this would mean around 172fps in Far Cry 6, 217fps in Forza Horizon 4, and 132fps in AC Valhalla, assuming the GPU can follow the rhythm.
This also means that Intel may be in a bit of a pickle since its own slides indicate an overall performance similar to the Core i9-14900K on its fastest chip. In other words, the 9800X3D could hold the crown for the best gaming CPU.
Price
Getting to the part that could make or break a product: pricing. According to Wjm47196, Ryzen 7 9800X3D won’t come cheap. How much exactly is yet to be determined, but anything above $550 would make it less appealing. After all, Ryzen 7 7800X3D debuted at $430 and currently costs $490+ due to shrinking stock. Even if availability stabilises, the introduction of a new processor should see our favourite chip fall in price, cementing it as a solid option regardless.
The leaker also suggests waiting for Ryzen 9 9950X3D if you’re not in a hurry. This may be due to previous rumours claiming that the dual CCD Zen 5 processors could carry 3D V-Cache on both CCDs.
In any case, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D isn’t far away, and we should get official information soon enough. Personally, I still don’t feel the need to upgrade from my 7600X yet. Maybe Zen 6 X3D will be the one.
