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AMD’s 9800X3D announcement goes live and we already want to forget about Intel Core Ultra

9800X3D is dubbed the "World's Best Gaming Processor"
Last Updated on October 31, 2024
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AMD just announced its latest processor, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. They even call it the ‘World’s Best Gaming Processor’ so it should be nothing short of the best CPU for gaming this year – just as we have come to expect from the X3D range.

On the flip side, Intel’s brand-new Core Ultra processors have been available to buy for about a week now, but the reviews haven’t been the greatest. We called the budget-friendly Ultra 5 245K “an underwhelming entry” and scored it 3.5 out of 5; we’re not entirely sure why anyone would want to buy one right now. Especially since you’ll have to fork out extra cash for a new Z890 motherboard as well.

The flagship Ultra 9 285K didn’t fare much better according to reviewers online. In our 285K review, we were more generous, saying that it represents “a necessary fresh start” though it does not have the best gaming performance. With that in mind and the fact we’ve been waiting for X3D for a little while now, it makes sense that the 9800X3D is the next go-top CPU.

AMD has finally announced the Ryzen 7 9800X3D

The 9800X3D is the first of the Ryzen 9000 series CPUs featuring AMD’s 3D V-cache design, which helps bolster gaming performance, particularly with a large amount of L3 cache. In its press release, we can see that it will be launching on November 7th as expected, with a price tag of $479 USD – something that was leaked earlier today.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Press Release highlights

  • Features 8 advanced “Zen 5” cores and 16 threads to deliver exceptional performance.
  • The processor offers a base clock speed of 4.7 GHz and a max boost clock of 5.2 GHz, marking the fastest speeds yet on an X3D chip.
  • AMD has re-engineered its industry-leading on-chip memory solution with 2nd Gen AMD 3D V-Cache technology. The 64MB cache memory has been relocated below the processor, which puts the core complex die (CCD) closer to the cooling solution to help keep the “Zen 5” cores cooler.
  • The Ryzen 7 9800X3D provides up to an average 8% gaming performance improvement in gaming compared to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and up to an average 20% gaming improvement vs the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K.
  • It’s the first X3D processor to be fully unlocked, empowering enthusiasts and gamers to push its performance to new limits.
ModelCores / ThreadsBoost / Base Frequency Total CacheTDPSEP (USD)
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8C/16T Up to 5.2 / 4.7 GHz 104MB 120W $479 

As we can see from the 9800X3D PR, it averages 20% better performance in gaming than Intel’s new flagship 285K. This is a sizeable gap and something that now sets the 9000 series apart as its first X3D chip arrives. So, if your main focus when buying a new CPU is gaming, the 9800X3D will deliver the very best there is to offer, and we can’t wait to get it in our testing lab.

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.