“AMD Warns: Dual 3D V-Cache Ryzen Gaming CPUs Might Break the Bank!”

The new AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D gaming processors could have been manufactured with even greater specifications, but pursuing that path would have significantly increased their price. That’s according to AMD, which stated during CES this week that its latest Ryzen 9000X3D series features only a singular 3D V-Cache, as opposed to the long-rumored dual setup, in order to keep costs manageable for production and sales to gamers.

The integration of the 3D V-Cache into Ryzen processors has afforded AMD a competitive advantage over Intel in recent years regarding gaming capabilities, with its premier models frequently topping the charts of the best gaming CPUs. Nevertheless, while it is logical for models like the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D to utilize a single 3D V-Cache – given that this chip has only one CPU die – higher-end variants, which consist of two CPU dies, could theoretically accommodate two cache dies, yet AMD has opted not to pursue this option.

In an interview with the German technology site HardwareLuxx, AMD affirmed that there isn’t a technical barrier restricting the use of a dual 3D V-Cache in Ryzen CPUs. Instead, it primarily revolves around cost issues, as it would “simply be too pricey” to manufacture and deliver to consumers.

AMD further argues that “games would not see advantages” from featuring a 3D V-Cache on both chiplets, since the potential performance increments are essentially provided by the single additional 64MB 3D V-Cache die. There might be advantages in specific instances, but not substantial enough to justify the added manufacturing costs and passing those onto customers.

Based on HardwareLuxx’s findings, AMD has “repeatedly contemplated” the creation of Ryzen X3D processors with a 3D V-Cache on both chiplets, yet consistently reached the conclusion that the production and probable retail expenses would not be advantageous.

Although AMD has adjusted the design of the latest X3D chips to enhance thermal performance, it seems that a Ryzen X3D CPU launch featuring two larger caches is not likely to manifest in the foreseeable future.

That doesn’t imply these CPUs are anticipated to underachieve, however. During the announcement of the 9900X3D at CES this week, AMD indicated that the new processors will likely surpass Intel, with the 9950X3D anticipated to be 20% faster than the Intel Core Ultra 285K and within 1% of the performance of the 9800X3D in gaming scenarios. We’ll need to await the release of these new X3D CPUs, expected in Q1 2025, before we can validate this assertion independently.

In the meantime, explore our AMD Ryzen 9800X3D review to discover how exceptionally these X3D CPUs perform in real-world settings, as the 9800X3D delivers the finest gaming performance available today.