The Finest Gaming CPU Could Get Even Higher

When players are browsing round for lingering offers on the lookout for the most effective CPU, there’s merely no comparability. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D nonetheless has its sq. butt on the throne of the quickest, most effective gaming CPU out there as we speak. AMD looks as if it’s not doing a lot to alter that with a supposed sequel, even when the chipmaker is being awkwardly quiet about its future plans.

AMD self-leaked the primary reveal of its Ryzen 7 9850X3D CPU by itself French support page, which was picked up by X person Olrak29 on Sunday. By Monday, AMD eliminated the itemizing, however not earlier than chip connoisseurs might pore over the supposed specs of the brand new chip refresh. It’s yet one more 8-core, 16-thread CPU for the AM5 socket. Just just like the 9800X3D, it runs at a high 120W TDP (thermal design energy) and accommodates 96MB of L3 Cache (L3 is the most important model of reminiscence storage on a single processor). All collectively, the rumors counsel the chip may have the identical specs as earlier than till you have a look at the clock speeds. The new CPU might run at as much as 5.6GHz, 400MHz greater than the 9800X3D.

AMD’s second-gen 3D V-cache has proved time and again it really works higher for gaming than something popping out of Intel. The expertise creates a particular stacked cache for the CPU, permitting it extra, quicker, and extra environment friendly reminiscence, which proves particularly essential for gaming-related duties. Compared to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the 9850X3D will appear to be a barebones refresh. The one lingering issue is value. The 9800X3D has a prompt retail value of $480, which is in no way low cost.

Which is why I’m much less enthused about yet one more pricey CPU than I’d be if we had additional affirmation of a lower-end AMD processor bearing the X3D moniker. Just a yr in the past, the Ryzen 7 5700X3D, constructed for the older AM4 socket with its decrease clock velocity, proved to be an amazing choice in comparison with the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. It provided high quality gaming for a whole lot of {dollars} much less. Previous leaks of a supposed 9700X3D proved to be bupkis.

There have been a number of minor rumors from semi-reliable leakers like chi11eddog on X supporting new CPUs, just like the 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X3D2. Why the sequel naming conference? Because it will have a so-called “dual 3D-V Cache” equating to 192MB of L3 cache. That’s in comparison with the measly 128MB L3 cache on the common 9950X3D. It would even have a whopping 200W energy draw in comparison with the smaller CPU’s 170W. The 9950X3D already prices $700, so I don’t even need to take into consideration what the upgraded model might entail.

We anticipate AMD to share extra particulars within the coming months. While Qualcomm and Intel have shared data on their upcoming laptop-class chips—Snapdragon X2 and Panther Lake, respectively—AMD has stored quiet. We might get extra information throughout CES 2026, however AMD might unfold out the information all through 2026. PC RAM costs have skyrocketed to the purpose that once-affordable reminiscence sticks have quadrupled or quintupled in value. It could be good to have at the very least one element that wouldn’t pressure PC players to promote a leg or two simply to afford an improve.