Reviews often write «one of the best», but in this case, we can confidently say «the best» because AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is an uncompromising solution when it comes to video games. In work tasks, this processor also has something to surprise, although it no longer looks like an absolute winner among competitors. We checked the gaming hit in stock and overclocking, and also set several new records in popular benchmarks.
Pluses:
uncompromising gaming performance, the best among classic computers; no cooling problems like its predecessor 7800X3D; high performance per core;
Minuses:
inadequately high real value due to shortages;
Content
Technical specifications of AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
| Technical characteristics | |
| Lithography | TSMC 4nm |
| Platform | AMD AM5 |
| Chipset support | A620, X670E, X670, B650E, B650, X870E, X870, B840, B850 |
| Number of cores | 8 |
| Number of threads | 16 |
| Base frequency | 4.7 GHz |
| Max. frequency | 5.2 GHz |
| Third level cache | 96 MB |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes |
| Basic TDP | 120 W |
| PCI-E version | 5.0 |
| PCI-E lines | 28/24 |
| Embedded graphics | AMD Radeon |
| Type of RAM | DDR5 5600 MHz |
| Maximum RAM | 192 GB |
Test bench
We tested the capabilities of the best gaming processor of our time with the most productive graphics card from AMD. A three-section liquid cooling system, a top SSD drive, high-quality RAM (importantly, with low latency), and the flagship X870E motherboard of the chipset as the basis of the build.
- Processor AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D;
- Cooling MSI MAG CORELIQUID I360;
- RAM G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 CL28;
- Drive 1 Samsung 990 PRO MZ-V9P1T0BW;
- Drive 2 Kingston NV2 SNV2S/4000G;
- Video card AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX;
- Power supply MSI MPG A1000G;
- Body MSI MPG QUIETUDE 100S;
Package and packaging
The boxed version of AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D does not come with a cooler for obvious reasons. AMD recommends using a 240 mm or 280 mm liquid cooling system for this processor. Apart from the «not for sale» inscription, the box is no different from those sold in stores. It also comes with a branded sticker with the company logo that can be attached to the computer case or on your forehead.
Work productivity
The cores in AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D are strong, but only against the background of x86 competitors. In Cinebench 2024, the best gaming processor shows itself at the level of top solutions for the desktop segment, although it loses a lot to mini-PCs on Apple M4 chips.
Overclocking doesn’t give a massive performance boost, but it’s nice to see 3400 points on the core in Geekbench. Such figures are not a shame to brag about among friends, which is often done by PC enthusiasts. The performance per core and all cores has increased significantly compared to the 7800X3D’s predecessor.
The most popular browser benchmark Speedometer 3.0 demonstrates phenomenal performance with AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D. It was not possible to overtake the iPad M4 Pro without overclocking, but at 5500 MHz x86 architecture still managed to take the lead over the tablet.
Another WebXPRT4 benchmark has once again gained a new record holder in the official chart. Thanks to its high performance per core, AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D managed to outperform all of its higher-end predecessors (including AMD Ryzen 9 9950X) that were tested at ITC.
It would seem that the bandwidth is lower than Intel’s, but if you measure only by this, then what about Apple Silicon with 600-800 GB/s versus 100-130 GB/s on top Intel systems? Of course, the future belongs to soldered unified memory, but it is still very expensive.
For our case, i.e. video games, G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 CL28 is exactly what we need. If you already have memory with a lower frequency, then this is not a problem. In such circumstances, you should try to reduce the latency to the lowest possible values because AMD AM5s feel great with 5200-5600 MT/s RAM.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D gaming performance
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D was named the fastest gaming processor even before the first tests were released. No one doubted that it would outperform its predecessor, the only question was by how much. In fact, the gap between gaming performance and the 7800X3D is much smaller than the difference in real market value for both processors.
We tested 14 video games of various types and genres with different graphics settings. Despite using the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX at 1920x1080p resolution, in many scenarios we still ran into the capabilities of the video card, not the CPU.
In 3840x2160p resolution, the difference between AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and some budget AMD Ryzen 5 7500F will only be in very poorly optimized video games. Although the hero of the review has the title of the best, it is still not enough for curved games, where the developers have put a huge «screw» on optimization.
Alan Wake 2 is famous for its high graphics card requirements, so with any graphics settings we hit the GPU. The processor is capable of delivering up to 200-210 FPS in this game with incredibly low power consumption of 20-30 watts.
Arma 3 has brought the best processors to their knees. Even the 9800X3D was not easy because the frame rate can drop to 90-100 FPS in not very loaded scenes. There is room to experiment with mods, and that’s the main thing.
In the campaign Call of Duty Black Ops 6 delivers 190-240 FPS with a fully loaded graphics card and maximum graphics.
In multiplayer, we changed the graphics settings to eSports to get better visibility of opponents. Under these conditions, the meter shows 240-250 FPS on medium-sized maps.
Strategy from Ukrainian developers Cossacks 3 has always been known for its high single-core speed requirements, making the 9800X3D deliver relatively smooth gameplay.
Of course, in intense matches with thousands of units on the screen, 60 FPS will not be possible, but this is the fault of the developers, not the processor. If this CPU can’t handle it, then no other CPU can.
Counter Strike 2 loves processors with 3D cache, literally. On the Dust2 map in Deathmatch mode, you can get 500+ FPS, which means that in 5 vs 5 ranked matches the frame rate will be even higher.
Cyberpunk 2077 does not load the video card to its fullest only with low graphics settings (275 FPS). With ultra settings, we still get 200+ FPS, but does it make sense with an RX 7900 XTX and a Full-HD monitor?
Flying in Digital Combat Simulator World on the SU-25 run perfectly smoothly at 180 FPS. This leaves a lot of room for using mods, which are almost the main attribute of fans of this game.
Incredibly beautiful, but «curve» demo The Matrix on Unreal Engine 5 brings any processor to its knees. AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers 60, 70, and sometimes 90 FPS, but only on the outskirts of the city. In the center of the metropolis, the best GPU of our time cannot hold the 50 FPS bar.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has better graphics and optimization than its predecessor MFS 2020. On medium settings, you can get 120-150 FPS in difficult locations, and with high or ultra settings, you always run into the capabilities of the video card, even in Full HD.
Game Naraka Bladepoint is perfectly optimized, so with Ultra graphics, the GPU is loaded at 100%, delivering up to 300 FPS. Switching to eSports settings increases this figure to 340-360 FPS, but in intense battles there may be drops to 240-260 FPS.
Engine PUBG although it has interesting mechanics, still has nuances with optimization. Therefore, the frame rate jumps from 160 to 400 FPS, depending on the location and where the player is looking.
Star Wars Empire at War with the Fall of The Republic modification is a real nightmare for gaming PC. While at the beginning of matches the frame rate is insanely high (300-400 FPS), in intense battles we have a drop to 25-40 FPS.
Even the world’s best GPU is still not enough to run all games stably, especially curveball mods made by people with extremely low technical knowledge.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 at release has poor optimization, and especially a domestic project is demanding on processors. However, there were no serious FPS drops with the 9800X3D, and the frame rate depends more on the video card.
Developers Starfield have improved the optimization a lot since the release, so with 9800x3d you can get up to 190 FPS with low graphics settings. With all the other graphics profiles, we run into the graphics card.
Using the frame generator, we get perfect smoothness and 200-250 FPS with ultra graphics. So do we need such fast processors when frame generation solves the problem so easily? Frame Generation is an incredible technology, especially when the final frame rate is 200+ FPS, as in this case. It’s literally impossible to see graphic artifacts or experience input lag at this FPS.
The Witcher 3 in the city center shows 100-150 FPS, and in the wooded area a little more (up to 200) with an emphasis on the GPU. With a higher resolution, the more the system performance will depend on the video card.
Energy consumption, heating
Without overclocking, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D consumes up to 130 W in the heaviest benchmarks. In games, the power consumption rarely exceeds 80 watts, and in most cases ranges from 50-65 watts. Nevertheless, a computer with such a processor and a top-of-the-line motherboard cannot be called economical, especially when idle. For example, without any load on the desktop, the entire system draws 90-95 watts from the outlet!
If you overclock the processor to 5500-5550 MHz across all cores, the power consumption increases to 155 W. At the same time, AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is not too difficult to cool. In games, we could often see 50-65 °C, in benchmarks 65-75 °C (10 °C more in overclocking), and in some specific scenarios 80+ °C, but for a short time.
For example, during the compilation of shaders in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, at one point the sensor showed 88 °C, after which the fans of the liquid cooling system sharply increased the speed and normalized the temperature. Compared to the 7800X3D, the new 9800X3D was cooler in all usage scenarios, although the room temperature was slightly different (25 °C in the summer of 2023 vs. 18 °C in the fall of 2024).
This is one of the first AM5 processors in this class that won’t be too difficult to cool. The main thing is to buy high-quality thermal paste (different «GD» can be thrown in the trash) and a 240-360 mm SRO if you are using a top-end 300+ W video card. Yes, a large tower with a TDP of 200-250 W will also cope, but then the effect of a hot GPU will be more noticeable («dropsy» removes heat from the case faster, not just from the CPU itself).
Experience of use
It’s always a pleasure to use something that’s the best of its kind, and that’s exactly what AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is. Despite the title of «GPU #1» it will not surprise the average player, but only the enthusiast. Playing at 250 FPS or 350 FPS is almost the same, and in poorly optimized strategies with mods, it is just as insufficient as any other processor.
It’s a technological masterpiece that is hard to give a decent assessment because it’s useless for most users, and for that kind of money. I definitely wouldn’t swap AMD Ryzen 9 7900 for AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D for the sake of gaming performance, although the stronger cores are felt in work, not just in play.
Personally, I liked the stability of the test platform (AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D with ASRock Taichi X870E) and the ability to play unoptimized mods of unpopular games not at 20 FPS, but at least at 30 FPS. But the 9800X3D never became a bottleneck during the testing of the program Stalker2.exe.
Price and competitors of AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Recommended cost AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is $479, but in reality, there are no such prices anywhere. The processor was advertised by bloggers, which is why gamers and not only gamers quickly created an artificial shortage of this product. There are very few processors of this kind made, so it’s not easy to find one now, even for fabulous prices.
In Ukraine, the price of AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D you will have to pay at least 34-35 thousand hryvnias, while the price should be 24-26 thousand hryvnias (480 dollars at the exchange rate of 42 + 20% VAT). Clearly, the hero of the review is not worth this amount, but fans still «FPS counter» are willing to overpay. Among the competitors, let’s consider higher-end processors, but in this price category, such as AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D also has a fairly high price tag, but still offers the best price/performance ratio. On average, stores ask 23,000 hryvnias for it.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X with 32 threads is well suited for workstations. The price for the most powerful AMD processor is about the same as for the hero of the review — 34,000 UAH.
A more affordable solution AMD Ryzen 9 7950X will also satisfy the needs of the most demanding professionals, and is only slightly inferior to the hero of the review in games. The price is only 22,000 UAH.
A similar processor, but of a class «neither fish nor flesh» AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D will cost 31,000 hryvnias. A compromise solution for those who can’t decide on their priorities.
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K offers significantly faster performance than the 9800X3D, although it still loses out in games to a CPU with 96 MB of cache. The 20-core novelty for LGA 1851 is priced at 21,000 UAH.
Intel Core i9-14900K costs only 22,000 hryvnias, although in working scenarios (almost all of them) it leaves the hero of the review no chance.
Even more profitable are Intel Core i7-14700K for UAH 17,000. It seems that the times have come when Intel is moving into the «top for your money» category, and AMD is pushing prices up.
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