Earlier this month, AMD announced the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, its latest processor with stacked 3D cache that is supposed to deliver the best gaming experience among its competitors. Now, a couple of weeks later, AMD has an official release date for the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, so mark January 29 in your calendar and prepare $499 in your bank account.
The Ryzen 7 9850X3D is similar to its counterpart, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, the same 120 W TDP, and the same 104 MB of cache. However, AMD increased the clocks by 400 MHz, which is supposed to give the new processor an advantage over the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and justify the $20 difference in prices.
| Model | Cores/Threads | Boost / Base Frequency | Total Cache | TDP | SEP (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | 8C/16T | Up to 5.6 / 4.7 GHz | 104MB | 120W | $499 |
Given that the only difference between the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and 9850X3D is clock speed, do not expect to see major performance leaps. AMD"s own benchmarks show modest improvements over the cheaper lineup sibling, primarily in e-sports games and older titles, such as Grand Theft Auto V or Far Cry 6. It is also worth noting that AMD"s latest X3D chips are overclockable, so if you have a lucky chip, you can push your Ryzen 7 9800X3D closer to the newer, more expensive model.
The Ryzen 7 9850X3D is an AM5 chip, and it works with existing AM5 motherboards and DDR5 memory. However, if you have an older motherboard, you may need to update your UEFI before installing the new processor after its launch on January 29. And if you do not care about the extra 400 MHz, you can get the Ryzen 7 9800X3D for $469.
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