Overview: Ryzen 7 9850X3D: The New Gaming CPU King – By a Whisker

The embargo has been lifted on the Ryzen 7 9850X3D and there is two methods to take a look at the arrival of this new gaming-focused processor from AMD. On the one hand, it might rightfully be claimed that the very best has simply bought higher: X3D has been a revelation within the gaming house and the 9850X3D is not any totally different. On the flip facet, it’s the most incremental of incremental bumps with AMD’s claims of a two to a few share level increase in gaming workloads borne out by our knowledge. Still, in MSRP phrases at the least, the worth bump can also be incremental: $499/£439 for the brand new chip is near the 9800X3D’s unique really helpful price.

However, in advertising phrases, there’s an added wrinkle. As “RAMageddon” continues, what ought to we make of AMD’s claims you could pair an X3D processor with cheaper reminiscence with no efficiency drop? What AMD appears to be suggesting is that video games have much less have to entry system reminiscence (topic to varied components akin to bandwidth and latency) and so that you get pleasure from the identical efficiency. In observe, nonetheless, that also needs to apply to Ryzen 7 9800X3D and that definitely can be impacted by using less highly specced RAM.

Time for some testing then, with AMD supplying us with an entire overview package. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D arrives in the identical unassuming packaging as every other CPU, missing a cooling answer – as is the norm. I purchased in a Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO cooler, full with “digital display cover” to finish a set-up based mostly on an Asrock X870E Taichi motherboard, GSkill Trident Z5 Neo RGB reminiscence (2x 16GB DDR5, 6000MT/s, CL28) and Samsung 9100 Pro SSD. All assessments had been performed with an Nvidia RTX 5090 FE on inventory clocks.

AMD had been in touch regarding Cinebench R23 scores, which the agency makes use of to confirm that our techniques are working correctly. When organising EXPO RAM overclocking within the Asrock BIOS, I observed that the 105W TDP energy restrict was eliminated, so we needs to be seeing the processor at its quickest. Compared to a 9800X3D, a 2241 single core, 22248 multi-core rating from the brand new chip confronted off in opposition to a 2079/22029 outcome. That’s a 7.8 p.c increase on one core up in opposition to no actual distinction in any respect with multi-threading.

Onto the gaming assessments then, and taking into account that the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is such a recognized amount, I caught with two video games. Our customized benchmark run by the Cherry Blossom Marketplace in Cyberpunk 2077 would take a look at multi-core efficiency, whereas the traditional Far Cry 6 would focus as an alternative on single-core outcomes (the Dunia engine is nearly legendary for its aversion to spreading workloads over many threads).

Cyberpunk first and at 1080p decision with DLSS efficiency mode on the extremely RT setting – successfully bringing the sport’s most difficult CPU workload to the fore – the Ryzen 7 9850X3D managed a 3 p.c lead over the 9800X3D. That diminished to only 1.7 p.c at 1440p, however the deficit there would have been all the way down to the lightest of GPU interactions influencing the outcome. Regardless, I’d say that the modest rating boosts promised by AMD had been borne out. Meanwhile, on Far Cry 6, our instruments tallied up a 3.2 share lead for the 9850X3D over 9800X3D at extremely settings at native 1080p, with literal point-for-point matching at 1440p.

A fast observe about one p.c and 0.1 p.c lows. This knowledge is very risky and once you see how unhealthy the frame-time graphing appears to be like within the visualisations, it is arduous to see how this knowledge is beneficial for attempting to quantify a gameplay state of affairs. I feel a greater consistency metric is required that might be measured over a a lot, for much longer pattern of matched gameplay.

Next up, We’ve bought to speak about AMD’s claims that the Ryzen 7 9850X3D will be paired with slower RAM for no efficiency influence – here’s an article with an overview of what’s being suggested along with the inevitable bar charts. Looks nice, proper? A lower than one p.c hit in utilizing terrible DDR5-4800 up in opposition to dearer DDR5-6000. In the present local weather, AMD is suggesting you would save a whole bunch of {dollars}/kilos/euros by shopping for backside of the barrel modules.

Even with our knowledge based mostly on simply two video games, we will see that there is much more nuance to this dialogue and there are some eyebrow-raising components to AMD’s numbers. The cited Cyberpunk 2077 frame-rates are so excessive (over 270fps), we will solely assume that AMD didn’t take a look at on a very difficult space with excessive settings. Meanwhile, our greatest end in a CPU-limited state of affairs is 97.93fps.

That outcome got here at 1080p on DLSS efficiency mode on the extremely RT setting with the 9850X3D paired with AMD’s provided GSkill Trident 6000MT/s CL28 sticks. Turning off EXPO and operating the package at 4800MT/s CL40 noticed a discount over 9.9 p.c in frame-rate phrases and searching on the graphing, each frame-times and PC latency are extra risky. Next, I elevated the frequency to 5600MT/s, once more at CL40. That hole reduces all the way down to 4.1 p.c. Better, however nonetheless a noticeable drop. Interestingly although, I then tweaked the GSkill reminiscence again to 6000MT/s frequency, however adjusted the latencies to match a regular Corsair CL36 package. Here, the top outcome was precisely the identical as operating the package at CL28.

It’s only one recreation, however going into the testing, I did observe some person experiences suggesting that frequency nonetheless performs a job with X3D processor efficiency, however latency? Not a lot. I repeated the take a look at with Far Cry 6 and right here, AMD’s declare was borne out. On all 4 reminiscence configurations, the sport delivered nigh-on an identical outcomes with only a 0.5 p.c max variance. My guess? Some titles can keep throughout the confines of the X3D processor’s cache hierarchy (of their benchmark scenes at the least). Others cannot and there will probably be a distinction. The nearer you will get to the 6000MT/s goal – a candy spot for Ryzen 9000 normally – the higher, it appears.

Ultimately, AMD has delivered precisely what it stated it will, a clock-boosted Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The new 9850X3D averaged at 5413.5MHz throughout the Cyberpunk 2077 1080p bench, up in opposition to 5198.39MHz on the 9800X3D, which explains the slim delta in outcomes. Far Cry 6? 5449.5MHz on the brand new processor up in opposition to the 5199.7MHz of the outdated, each chips operating with all energy limits eliminated. So, an official 400MHz spec increase from the brand new processor manifested as one thing nearer to 250MHz in our outcomes.

The Ryzen 7 9850X3D launches tomorrow. If UK really helpful costs of £439 maintain true, you may at the moment purchase the established 9800X3D for round £400. Obviously, the prevailing product gives the higher deal, however when it comes to premium pricing for a halo CPU with diminishing returns when it comes to pure efficiency, I’ve definitely seen worse and there could also be some long run bonus in eventual resale worth. Whichever one you select, simply be sure you get at the least cheap reminiscence to pair with it. It’s only one recreation outcome, however Cyberpunk suggests 5600MT/s CL40 minimal – however 6000MT/s stays the candy spot.