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You may be wondering what’s the difference between AMD Ryzen 9 5800X3D vs 9 7900X3D and you’d certainly not be alone.
AMD’s Ryzen 7 5800X3D launched in April 2022, and delivers a strong performance in single and multi thread. It roughly sits between Intel’s flagship Core i9 and Core i7 chips in terms of performance and is currently available for a killer price.
But what about the Ryzen 9 7900X3D? AMD unveiled the Ryzen 7000 X3D lineup at CES 2023, and was released in February 2023. The ‘X3D’ abbreviation refers to the new 3D V-Cache which improves the performance of 3D graphics applications and the overall performance of the CPU. If you’re after a pure gaming CPU, then the Ryzen 7900X3D might just be for you. However, there are some drawbacks associated with this new technology which we’ll be taking into account.
You may be weighing up which CPU to go for, and how it matches up to what your main usage will be – whether that be for competitive gaming, video editing, or general workloads. If you’ve just upgraded your GPU to AMD’s RX 7900 XTX or XT, consider our selection of the best CPUs to complement AMD’s flagship GPUs.
We’re hoping to guide you in your decision by discussing the specs, price, and overall performance of both CPUs. We’ll look at everything from clock speed to TDP, and weigh up which CPU offers the best value for money so you can make an informed choice.
So let’s get jump right in! Here are the differences and similarities between AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs 9 7900X3D.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs 9 7900X3D – specs
| Specs | Ryzen 7 5800X3D | Ryzen 9 7900X3D |
| Architecture | Zen 3 | Zen 4 |
| Core Count | 8 | 12 |
| Thread Count | 16 | 24 |
| Boost Speed | 4.5GHz | 5.6GHz |
| Cache | 96MB | 128GB |
| TDP | 105W | 120W |
As you can see from the above table, the Ryzen 9 7900X3D looks fairly standard until you notice its massive cache of 128GB. It’s the middle of the three new X3D CPUs in the Ryzen 7000 series, so we expect it to trump the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, but come out worse against the 7950X3D. If you’re interested in how the Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs Ryzen 9 7950X3D, we’ve got you covered.
Below we’ll go into further depth to explain how each spec will affect the overall performance of the CPU.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs 9 7900X3D – architecture
The Ryzen 7 5600X3D is built on Zen 3 architecture, whereas the Ryzen 9 7 900X3D boasts the latest Zen 4.
Zen 4 uses a new 5m, process technology, allowing smaller transistors resulting in a higher density of them. This is great news for performance and energy efficiency.
Read More: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs 9 7950X3D
Additionally, compared to Zen 3, Zen 4 offers more IPC (Instructions Per Cycle) improvements. This means that Zen 4 can carry out instructions at a faster rate, making it the preferred choice for users into intensive gaming and video editing.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs 9 7900X3D – core count
The Ryzen 9 7900X3D has a core count of 12 which makes it better for multitasking. Though the Ryzen 5800X3D has enough cores to deliver a strong gaming performance, it’s the flagship CPU that clearly has the edge.
Read More: Ryzen 7 7700 vs Ryzen 7 7700X – which CPU should you go for?
More CPU cores allow for better performance because the processor can handle more tasks simultaneously. If you often find yourself with multiple windows open, balancing your time between Photoshop, web browsing and content watching, the Ryzen 9 7900X3D is probably better suited for your needs.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs 9 7900X3D – core speed
The 7900X3D easily comes out on top with a significantly higher core boost speed, equating to an overall better performance. Core speed is particularly important when it comes to gaming performance. The faster your CPU core, the better it will be at gaming, providing it’s in the same or better CPU architecture.
In case you’re unfamiliar, the core speed, also known as the clock speed, is the rate at which a CPU completes one instruction cycle per second. The more cycles the processor can complete in a given amount of time, the faster the clock speed.
Read More: Ryzen 7 7700 vs Ryzen 7700X
Generally speaking, speed is one of the most important factors when trying to measure a GPU’s performance. With a clock speed of 5.6GHz, the Ryzen 9 7900X3D seriously pulls ahead, especially when you combine this with its superior Gen 4 architecture.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs 9 7900X3D – TDP
TDP, also known as Thermal Design Power, refers to the amount of thermal energy that the CPU can emit under normal operating conditions. As a general rule, the higher TDP, the more effort you have to put into cooling it.
Read More: Best cooler for i9-13900K (Air, Liquid, RGB)
The 9 7900X3D comes out with a higher TDP score of 120W, compared to the Ryzen 7 5800X3D’s 105W. While this is indicative that the Ryzen 9 7900X3D is the more powerful processor, it also means it requires a more robust cooling solution. This is definitely one of the hidden costs associated with going for a flagship CPU. If you can afford it, we recommend checking out WePC’s pick of the best coolers to keep your new CPU nice and cool.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs 9 7900X3D – price
As can be expected with a flagship model, the Ryzen 9 7900X3D costs considerably more than the Ryzen 7 5800X3D.
Ryzen 9 7900X3D, at the time of writing, costs $584, which is considerably more expensive than the Ryzen 7 5800X3D.
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Core Count
8
Thread Count
16
CPU Speed
4.5 GHz
TDP
105W
Users who are keen to keep costs as low as possible are better off going for the Ryzen 7 5600X3D. Opting for the slightly lower-end CPU will save you additional costs like upgrading your motherboard to support the new AM5 socket. It might also save you from buying a new cooler.
Final word
As we’ve come to understand following the latest tech releases, your choice is ultimately a balancing act between price and performance.
Ryzen 9 7900X3D delivers an impressive performance, boasting a massive 128MB cache and the new Zen 4 architecture. As AMD’s second-best CPU once it’s been released, the 9 7900X3D is a fantastic choice for both gaming and creative tasks.
Users should opt for the Ryzen 7 5800X3D if they’d prefer to save themselves the trouble of upgrading their PC hardware, or else cannot afford AMD’s flagship processor.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ryzen 9 7900X3D good for gaming?
As you’d hope from AMD’s second-best CPU, the Ryzen 9 7900X3D is an amazing CPU thanks to its 128 MB shared cache and 5.6 GHz boost clock. For reference, its main competitor, the Intel core i9-13900KS has a significantly smaller 46 MB smart cache.
Should I upgrade from Ryzen 7 5800X3D to Ryzen 7 7800X3D?
It’s a tough call. Unless you’re after a top tier performance, the fact that both CPUs are Zen 4 potentially doesn’t warrant upgrading to the 7 7800X3D. However, it might be worth upgrading to AM5 sooner rather than later to get the most out of the new platform before AM6.
