Skip to main content

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D review: obliterating the competition

The new fastest gaming CPU, to no one's surprise.

Image credit: Digital Foundry

It's been a rough old time when it comes to benchmarking CPUs, I can tell you that. The Ryzen 9000 release back in August was let down by relatively meagre performance improvements and an unready software ecosystem, while Intel's 285K and 245K launch last month showed a significant performance regression versus 14th-gen - despite a genuinely interesting shift in architectures. Thankfully, AMD is here to save the day with the Ryzen 9 9800X3D.

As you might expect, the 9800X3D is the fastest gaming CPU we've ever tested, but what you might not expect is just how much faster it can be in some titles versus the 7800X3D, 9700X and 14900K - and how much of a step forward it is outside of games versus its X3D predecessor.

What I particularly like about the 9800X3D is that it does something a bit different to the 7800X3D and 5800X3D before it. Rather than adding on the extra L3 cache above the CCD, AMD has popped it underneath this time around, a move that sees temperatures go down and clock speeds go up. The result is a chip that is a much better all-rounder than its predecessors, while still delivering the kind of game-changing performance that makes X3D chips worth waiting for.

2nd-gen 3D V-Cache from AMD
Image credit: AMD

To properly get to grips with the level of performance on offer, we've run the 9800X3D through our full gamut of 11 game benchmarks at 1080p, 1440p and 4K, including some of the most demanding single-player (Dragon's Dogma, Starfield, Cyberpunk) and multiplayer (CS2, F1 24) releases. Our power analysis and DDR5 testing also returns from our recent Intel Core Ultra 200S reviews.

Before we get into all that though, it's worth taking a closer look at the specs here - and whether the changes we see versus the 7800X3D and 9700X are reflected in our synthetic and content creation benchmarks.

In short, the 9800X3D offers higher base clock speeds and much more L3 cache than the 9700X, but it's also worth noting that the TDP has climbed to 120W - versus 65W and optionally 105W - for the 9700X. Boost speeds are still 300MHz slower on the X3D chip, but versus the 7800X3D it's clear that the new on-bottom V-Cache location has delivered some nice gains - plus 500MHz (!) when it comes to base clock and plus 200MHz when it comes to boost. For context, we only saw a 100MHz leap in boost clock when going from the 7700X to the 9700X, so that new design does make itself known.

This is also the most expensive Ryzen 7 X3D chip ever shipped, with a $479 RRP versus the $449 7800X3D and 5800X3D - though (potentially deliberate) supply issues have meant that the 7800X3D is far from the bargain it once was.

CPU design Boost Base L3 cache TDP Price
Ryzen 9 9950X Zen 5 16C/32T 5.7GHz 4.3GHz 64MB 170W £555/$584
Ryzen 9 9900X Zen 5 12C/24T 5.6GHz 4.4GHz 64MB 120W £383/$383
Ryzen 7 9800X3D Zen 5 8C/16T 5.2GHz 4.7GHz 96MB 120W $479
Ryzen 7 9700X Zen 5 8C/16T 5.5GHz 3.8GHz 32MB 65W £309/$324
Ryzen 5 9600X Zen 5 6C/12T 5.4GHz 3.9GHz 32MB 65W £229/$249
Ryzen 9 7950X3D Zen 4 16C/32T 5.7GHz 4.2GHz 128MB 120W £550/$595
Ryzen 9 7950X Zen 4 16C/32T 5.7GHz 4.5GHz 64MB 170W £429/$487
Ryzen 9 7900X3D Zen 4 12C/24T 5.6GHz 4.4GHz 128MB 120W £443/$569
Ryzen 9 7900X Zen 4 12C/24T 5.6GHz 4.7GHz 64MB 170W £323/$395
Ryzen 7 7800X3D Zen 4 8C/16T 5.0GHz 4.2GHz 96MB 120W £398/$476
Ryzen 7 7700X Zen 4 8C/16T 5.4GHz 4.5GHz 32MB 105W £264/$269
Ryzen 5 7600X Zen 4 6C/12T 5.3GHz 4.7GHz 32MB 105W £189/$207
Ryzen 5 7600 Zen 4 6C/12T 5.1GHz 3.8GHz 32MB 65W £167/$198
Ryzen 9000 benchmarking setup
A very clean and not at all dusty test rig, featuring a Ryzen 9000 processor, RTX 4090 Founders Edition, ASRock Taichi X670E and the Alphacool Aurora Eisbaer 240mm AiO. | Image credit: Digital Foundry

All testing was performed on fresh installs of Windows 24H2 with the latest chipset drivers, BIOS updates and Nvidia's 565.90 graphic drivers installed (to allow us to reuse the mountain of data we collected for our Core 285K and 245K reviews). Resizable BAR and core isolation were enabled on each system.

Our CPU test platform is based around the Nvidia GeForce Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition graphics card and Trident Z5 Neo DDR5-6000 CL30 RAM. Each CPU is accompanied by a 1000W+ power supply from Corsair or NZXT, a high-end 240mm or 360mm AiO and a suitable premium motherboard: the ASRock X670E Taichi for AMD Ryzen 7000 and 9000, the MSI Z890 Meg Ace for Intel Core Ultra 200S, the Gigabyte Aorus Z790 Master for 12th and 14th-gen Intel Core and the Asus ROG Crosshair 8 Hero for AMD Ryzen 5000 - with Trident Z Royal DDR4-3600 CL16 as DDR5 RAM is not supported on this platform.

Storage duties are handled by a range of PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 5.0 SSDs, including the 4TB Lexar NM790 for our AMD Ryzen 9000 system.

Now, let's move onto the content creation benchmarks to get a better sense of how the 9800X3D advances on its predecessors. Even if you don't plan to use the 9800X3D to crank out videos or do 3D modelling, this sort of testing also sets out the maximum uptick we're likely to see in gaming workloads and gives you a more general sense of all-core performance.

Cinebench 2024 (1T) 2024 (MT) R20 (1T) R20 (MT)
Ryzen 5 3600X 77 578 485 3654
Ryzen 7 5800X3D 95 915 546 5746
Ryzen 9 5900X 98 1171 610 8393
Ryzen 5 7600X 114 845 744 5814
Ryzen 7 7700X 118 1127 758 7609
Ryzen 7 7800X3D 112 1074 688 6988
Ryzen 9 7900X 116 1605 776 11196
Ryzen 9 7950X 121 2004 784 14272
Ryzen 5 9600X 132 935 850 6358
Ryzen 7 9700X 130 1172 862 7851
Ryzen 9 9800X3D 134 1342 823 8938
Ryzen 9 9900X 135 1784 879 12617
Ryzen 9 9950X 138 2235 866 15850
Core i5 14600K 120 1400 777 9420
Core i7 14700K 127 1987 818 13614
Core i9 14900K 133 2107 875 15297
Ultra 5 245K 128 1435 841 9864
Ultra 9 285K 144 2386 895 16055

Starting with our Cinebench test results, including the popular R20 and more recent 2024 release, the 9800X3D shows a small uptick in single-core performance (130 vs 134) and a much larger ramp up in multi-core performance (1342 vs 1172) versus the 9700X, most likely attributable to its higher power limits or the extra L3 cache. Note that we tested the 9700X at its stock 65W setting, though a 105W mode was made available later and in our 9700X review we saw it deliver similar performance to the 9800X3D - 136 single, 1280 multi.

The bigger differential comes when examining the 9800X3D versus the 7800X3D. Here, scores are up around 20 percent for single and 25 percent multi-core in the two Cinebench versions, putting the 9800X3D half-way between the eight-core 7700X and 12-core 7900X - not bad.

While Cinebench is meant to reflect a 3D modelling and animation task in Cinema 4D, our Cinebench test reflects a real use case for us: transcoding a Patreon video file into H.264 and H.265 (HEVC). Here, we measured the 9800X3D sucking down a healthy 259W at full tilt, versus the 191W-max 9700X, but the new CPU also turns in an impressive 59.59fps H.264 and 27.44fps HEVC average transcode frame-rate. That's 15 percent faster than the 9700X, admittedly while drawing 35 percent more power.

Handbrake H264 (fps) HEVC (fps)
Ryzen 5 3600X 26.66 10.80
Ryzen 7 5800X3D 42.00 18.71
Ryzen 9 5900X 57.59 23.83
Ryzen 5 7600X 41.29 18.31
Ryzen 7 7700X 53.27 23.65
Ryzen 7 7800X3D 49.63 21.54
Ryzen 9 7900X 78.35 32.59
Ryzen 9 7950X 98.58 41.68
Ryzen 5 9600X 42.51 19.77
Ryzen 7 9700X (191W max) 51.80 23.79
Ryzen 7 9800X3D (259W max) 59.59 27.44
Ryzen 9 9900X 82.96 35.33
Ryzen 9 9950X 103.25 44.97
Intel Core i5 14600K 59.42 25.39
Intel Core i7 14700K 80.26 31.07
Intel Core i9 14900K (476W max) 85.06 35.08
Intel Ultra 5 245K (286W max) 61.05 26.88
Intel Ultra 9 285K (362W max) 97.17 38.44

Comparisons versus the 7800X3D are also impressive, with a 27 percentage point advantage in the HEVC test. We're still some way from the likes of the 12-core and 16-core AM5 designs, but it's still an impressive showing for a gaming-focused part and one that proves the efficacy of AMD's new bottom-cache design.

Now let's get into the turkey and Yorkshire puddings of our testing, the gaming benchmarks. We have 11 games in all.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D analysis

seductrice.net
universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
prowp.net
webmanicura.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
mfhoudan.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
kftz5k.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
casino-natali.com
iprofit-internet.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
healthandfitnesslives.com
androidnews-jp.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
britsmile.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
kakakpintar.com
jerusalemdispatch.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
rajasthancarservices.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
hemendekor.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
worldhealthstory.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
techguroh.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com