AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D

Eight Zen 5 cores with 96 MB of 3D V-Cache, still the benchmark for AM5 gaming builds.

  • AM5
  • 8
  • 16
  • 5.2 GHz
  • 120 W

PCPR score

8.7

Excellent

Best price we’ve seen

$479Nov 9

Checked recently. Confirm at the retailer.

R1

The short version

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is an eight-core, 16-thread AM5 processor that stacks 3D V-Cache under the compute die instead of on top, which lets it hold higher clocks than earlier X3D chips and makes it fully overclockable. Reviewers consistently rank it at or near the top for gaming. It is far less compelling for heavily threaded work, where cheaper chips with more cores pull ahead, and it ships without a cooler.

Pros

  • 96 MB of L3 cache with the cache die placed under the cores, allowing higher boost clocks than earlier X3D parts
  • Top-tier gaming performance, with Tom's Hardware measuring a large lead over Intel's best chips at its launch review
  • Unlocked for overclocking, a first for the X3D line at launch
  • 120 W TDP is manageable without extreme cooling, and the chip drops into existing AM5 boards

Cons

  • No cooler in the box; AMD recommends a liquid cooler for best performance
  • Eight cores limit heavily threaded work, where similarly priced chips with more cores are faster
  • Newer Ryzen 7 9850X3D is a little faster in games at a higher list price

Best for

  • High-refresh gaming on a high-end GPU
  • Upgrading an existing AM5 board
  • Gamers who stream or create occasionally but do not render all day

J3

Full specifications

Core

Socket
AM5
Series
Ryzen 9000
Architecture
Zen 5
Cores
8
Threads
16

Performance

Base clock
4.7 GHz
Max boost
5.2 GHz
L3 cache
96 MB
3D V-Cache
Yes
Gaming index
97
Single-thread index
88
Multi-thread index
55

Power

TDP
120 W
Max power (PPT / PL2)
162 W

Features

Integrated graphics
Yes
Integrated GPU
AMD Radeon Graphics
Unlocked multiplier
Yes
Cooler in box
No
Process
TSMC 4nm FinFET (CPU cores), TSMC 6nm FinFET (I/O die)

Memory

Memory support
DDR5
Rated memory speed
5,600 MT/s
Max memory
256 GB

Expansion

PCIe version
5.0
PCIe lanes
28

Compatibility notes

  • Socket AM5; AMD lists A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E, B840, B850, X870 and X870E chipsets as supported.
  • DDR5 only, with an official maximum of DDR5-5600 for two single-rank or dual-rank modules per channel setup (DDR5-3600 with four modules).
  • No cooler is included; AMD recommends a liquid cooler for optimal performance.

P1

Where to buy

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects our scores or what we recommend. Prices move quickly, so confirm the final price at the retailer.

AV1

Video reviews

Positive · Review

UNTOUCHABLE - Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review

Hardware Canucks

A full review whose title signals a strongly favourable verdict on the chip's gaming performance.

Overview · Review

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU Review

The FPS Review

An independent review of the 9800X3D from The FPS Review.

Mixed · Guide

Do NOT Buy a Ryzen 7 9800X3D...

ImWateringPSUs

A contrarian take arguing the chip is not the right buy for everyone, particularly where non-gaming workloads matter.

AV2

What reviewers and owners say

  • Tom's Hardware · Paul Alcorn

    Positive

    Names it the strongest gaming processor available at launch, praising efficiency and modest cooling demands, while noting that comparably priced chips with more cores do better in productivity tasks.

  • Windows Central

    Positive

    Windows Central crowns this the new best gaming CPU, with 8-22% generational gains beating Intel's flagship, though productivity lags and 7800X3D owners should skip it.

  • r/nvidia · u/GiveTogeBonitoFlakes

    Positive

    An owner who upgraded from a 13700K reports much higher frame rates and far cooler temperatures in Space Marine 2, and now plans to delay buying a 5090.

  • r/sffpc · u/Ashaurock

    Positive

    One owner built a 9800X3D with an RTX 5070 Ti into an 11.9-liter Mini-ITX case, cooling it with a 67mm-clearance Thermalright AXP120-X67 and praising the compact performance.

  • r/watercooling · u/ComposerFlat4517

    Positive

    A buyer used the 9800X3D in a hard-tubed watercooled build with a 9070 XT, calling the acrylic work tedious but the overall experience fun.

  • r/hardware · u/StarskyNHutch862

    Mixed

    One owner reports their 9800X3D on a Gigabyte X870 board running fine for months while criticizing AsRock boards allegedly killing the same chip through overvolting.

Summaries are written in our words. Follow the links for each source’s own review.

R9

Common questions

Does the Ryzen 7 9800X3D include a cooler?

No. AMD lists the thermal solution as not included and recommends a liquid cooler for optimal performance. Tom's Hardware's review suggests at least a 240-280 mm liquid cooler or equivalent.

Which motherboards work with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D?

It uses socket AM5. AMD lists A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E, B840, B850, X870 and X870E chipsets, though older boards may need a BIOS update.

Can the Ryzen 7 9800X3D be overclocked?

Yes. AMD lists it as unlocked for overclocking and supporting Precision Boost Overdrive and Curve Optimizer. AMD notes its warranty does not cover damage caused by overclocking.

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