Without question, this is the best CPU released since the7800X3D, making this launch particularly exciting.
AMD has identified that cores are less sensitive to temperature than the 3D V-Cache.
This results in improved thermals, higher clock speeds, and enhanced performance, which we will explore shortly.
What hasn’t changed with the 9800X3D and Zen 5 in general is memory support.
This topic has caused considerable confusion, not only with Zen 5 but also regarding the800-series chipsets.
AMD has clearly communicated this information to reviewers since the Zen 5 architecture launch.
When it comes tochipsets, even fewer changes have occurred.
In fact, aside from the name, the chipset isphysically identical.
AMD has simply renamed the X670E to X870E, so an X870E motherboard is not required for DDR5-8000 support.
In practice, we found that most X870/X870E boards are not stable at that frequency.
Thus, DDR5-8000 support will depend on the specific AM5 motherboard used.
For testing the 9800X3D, we are using our default AM5 test system featuring the Gigabyte X670E Aorus Master.
Interestingly, although the9700Xhas a 5.5 GHz boost frequency, it sustained only 5,225 MHz in this workload.
These results were recorded using the MSI MAG Coreliquid I360.
Here’s how the 9800X3D performs in the Cinebench multi-core test.
While its result may not appear impressive compared to core-heavy parts, the outcome is notable.
This indicates that the 3D V-Cache is entirely responsible for this performance gain.
Traditionally, 3D models have shown slower performance than their non-3D counterparts in productivity tasks.
For instance, the7800X3Dis 5% slower than the7700X, though it also clocks 6% lower.
Even without the clock speed factor, the 7700X and 7800X3D typically perform nearly identically in this workload.
So, how does the 9800X3D achieve a 7% lead over the 9700X at the same frequency?
Both CPUs were tested on the same motherboard, Windows version, DDR5-6000 memory, and identical configurations.
This initial look at the 9800X3D is indeed intriguing.
Nevertheless, the 9800X3D used slightly less power than the 7700X and considerably less than the285Kand14900K.
However, those Intel processors were faster in this workload, making it an imperfect comparison.
Given the results seen here with the 9800X3D, the 9950X3D is expected to deliver exceptional performance.
In theCoronabenchmark, the 9800X3D excels, surpassing the 9700X by 20%.
This impressive performance uplift comes solely from the addition of the 3D V-Cache.
Interestingly, in the 7700X versus 7800X3D comparison, the 3D model performs slower.
The 9800X3D also shines in Photoshop, topping our chart with an 8% performance lead over the 9700X.
Intel’s CPUs don’t come close here, as the 9800X3D outpaces the 285K by 21%.
We’re excited to see how the 9950X3D will perform.
Gaming Performance
…and wow, does it shine.
The performance in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is seriously impressive.
This is remarkable performance that leaves Intel in the dust, but is this an isolated case?
It also outpaces the 7800X3D by 6%.
The results inCyberpunk 2077: Phantom Libertyare also impressive.
InHogwarts Legacy, the 9800X3D delivers a standout performance, hitting up to 170 fps in this CPU-limited game.
These numbers initially seemed unbelievable, but after thorough validation, we confirmed the 9800X3D’s remarkable strength.
This is especially beneficial in games like this, where additional performance is very noticeable.
For example, the5800X3Dconsistently outperformed everything without 3D V-Cache, including the 14900K by 14%.
It’s also 27% faster than the 9700X, with the 3D V-Cache delivering substantial performance gains.
It also beats Intel’s top processor by 11% over the 14900K and 10% over the 285K.
Compared to the 9700X, it shows a 28% improvement.
Given that Hitman 3 traditionally favors Intel, it’s noteworthy to see the 9800X3D coming out on top.
Finally, in Star Wars Outlaws, a CPU-limited title, the 9800X3D shows modest gains.
It’s only 10% faster than the 9700X, matching the performance of both the 14900K and 7800X3D.
Gaming Power Consumption
Now for a look at power consumption when gaming.
In Cyberpunk 2077, the 9800X3D demonstrates excellent efficiency, consuming 93W.
Compared to the 285K, it uses 36% less power while providing 45% more performance.
14 Game Average
Here’s the 14-game average, and there’s a lot to unpack.
This is an impressive gain over what was already the fastest gaming processor.
This gap widens further against the 285K, with the 9800X3D holding a 33% lead.
While 5% may not be statistically significant, 27 33% certainly is.
In several cases, we saw gains around 45%, which is remarkable.
A few games had single-digit differences, and in only one instance did performance remain unchanged.
Then we have the 285K matchup, which barely qualifies as a contest.
Cost Per Frame
Now, let’s dive into the crucial cost-per-frame data.
The 9800X3D offers 14% better value than the14900Kand 43% better value than the285K.
Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO)
We enabled PBO manually through the BIOS for testing.
PBO Advanced was activated, automatically setting the PPT, TDC, and EDC limits.
This PBO configuration yielded only a 2.5% boost in our Cinebench multi-core score an underwhelming result.
Single-core performance increased by just 3%, offering minimal improvement.
In Remnant II, PBO offered only a 2% improvement.
Memory support for the 9800X3D and Zen 5 generally remains the same as Zen 4 models like the 7800X3D.
Therefore, the following memory configurations are also applicable to the 7800X3D.
Upgrading to low-latency DDR5-8000 improved performance by only 1.3%, while CL40 8000 was 1.7% slower.
What We Learned: A Gamer’s CPU
Finally an exciting product worth buying.
AMD has historically been aggressive with its CPU pricing.
Still, the new 9800X3D represents excellent value even at its $480 MSRP.
Even with Intel’s discounts, the14900Kcannot match the 9800X3D in terms of value or performance.
No matter how skilled you are at memory tuning, the Core i9 is completely and totally annihilated.
Intel’s competing chips have also faced other challenges not limited to power consumption.
Stability and degradation issues plagued the Core i9, though these have mostly been resolved with BIOS updates.
We’re obviously happy to see the performance gains over the 7800X3D.
While an 11% improvement on average isn’t groundbreaking, it’s still a solid increase.
This is partly because the initial wave of Zen 5 products was notably underwhelming.
The added price premium made Zen 4 a better choice in nearly every scenario.
Evidence suggests this is largely due to the I/O die.
An improved I/O die would also benefit the 9800X3D.
But those details are still a few years away.
