You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cores
8
Threads
16
Base speed
4.2GHz
Boost speed
5.9GHz
Cache
104MB
TDP
120W
If you’re wondering what the differences are between AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D, then you’ve come to the right place.
One of the most exciting things to come out of CES 2023 was Ryzen announcing its 7000 3D V-cache CPUs, and the 7800X3D is one of the most exciting in the range and released on April 6th.
3D V-cache technology allows Ryzen to vertically stack the cache of its CPUs on top of the processor. Cache is a faster and more accessible kind of memory that stores frequently used data. This is ideal for gaming and it’s thanks to this that the 7 7800X3D is amongst the best CPUs for RTX 4080 and other high-power gaming GPUs.
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D came out in April of last year, and when it did it was the fastest gaming CPU available. This was thanks, in no small part, to its larger cache size. It has since been pipped by the latest Intel Core i9 chip, however, it is still incredibly powerful and available for a better price than ever before.
So which one comes out on top? Both these chips offer a brilliant return on investment and great price for performance, so exactly which one is better, changes depending on what your needs are.
That’s where we come in, we’ve broken down our comparison of these two gaming CPUs into categories to make it as comprehensive as possible. With this, you should get a sense of which of the two makes the most sense for you and your specific needs.
So let’s get into it, here is everything you need to know about AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D – Specs
| Specs | Ryzen 7 5800X3D | Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
| Architecture | Zen 3 | Zen 4 |
| Core count | 8 | 8 |
| Thread count | 16 | 16 |
| Boost speed | 4.5GHz | 5.0GHz |
| Cache | 96MB | 104MB |
| TDP | 105W | 120W |
As you can see the specs are pretty similar between these two CPUs with a few vital differences.
The most important is the difference in architecture. The Ryzen 7 comes with the later and more up-to-date Zen 4 micro-architecture while the 7 5800X3D is one generation behind on Zen 3.
We’ll be breaking down the exact differences between these two in more detail later in the article but what’s important is that this difference actually has a knock-on effect for some other specs.
For example, as you can see both have the exact same number of cores and threads. However, this does not translate to identical performance. This is because the changes in the microarchitecture between Zen 3 and Zen 4 mean that the 7800X3D can get higher performance out of the name number of cores.
As for cache, arguably one of the most important specs when it comes to gaming, we can see that both have an exceptionally high amount, thanks to the 3D stacking technology. However, unsurprisingly, the 7 7800X3D does edge it, with 104MB versus 96MB for the 7 5800X3d
Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D – architecture
As we have discussed the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has the more up-to-date and sophisticated Zen 4 architecture, versus the Zen 3 found in the 5800X3D. So, what are the actual differences between the two, and what does this mean for performance?
The most significant chance-up that Zen 4 has made is by reducing the size of the cores from 5nm to 4mn. This smaller size allows for a high density and therefore increased performance.
Read more: PCIe 5.0 vs PCIe 4.0
There is a catch with this though, namely that you’ll need to make sure your motherboard’s sockets are compatible with this new core size. This means you need AM5 sockets, rather than the AM4 which has been standard, this will mean many will have to buy a whole new motherboard.
There are other aspects of Zen 4 which increase performance though, like the high number of instructions per cycle. This results in more power and increased efficiency.
Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D – core speed
The core speed of a CPU, sometimes known as clock speed, refers to the speed at which a CPU completes a processing cycle, and is usually measured in gigahertz (GHz). Essentially, the faster the core speed, the more calculations the chip can complete within a given timeframe, which translates to better performance.
As you can see from our specs table, here too the 7 7800X3D is superior, with a 5GHz boost clock speed versus the 4.5GHz of the 5800X3D, though it should be noted that this is by no means small itself. This higher clock speed is only boosted by the superior architecture of the 7800X3D too, as its cycles are also more powerful.
Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D – TDP
TDP stands for thermal design power and refers to how much heat a chipset can use in watts. This has several knock-on effects. As you can see the 5800X3D has the less demanding TDP. This is preferable in theory but also indicative of its lower processing power.
Read more: Best cooler for Ryzen 5 5600x
While the 7 7800X3D is inarguably the higher performing chip, you pay for this not only in buying price but also thanks to this higher TDP. This is because the higher the TDP, the more electricity and investment it takes to keep your chipset cool, and therefore the more expensive your component and electricity bill will be.
Upgrading your CPU cooling system doesn’t have to be a daunting task however, you can check out WePC’s pick of the best coolers to keep your 7 7800X3D at low temperatures.
Ryzen 7 5800X3D vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D – price
The price for the 7800X3D is a pretty considerable $449. This is actually identical to what the 5800X3D retailed for, though the latter can be found online for as low as $300.
These prices are not the end of it however because, as we have mentioned, you will likely have to upgrade your motherboard as well, in order to make it compatible with the 7 7800X3D.
This means that option for the lower spec, but still powerful, Ryzen 7 5800X3D will also save you the money of upgrading your motherboard and potentially your cooling solution too.
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cores
8
Threads
16
Base speed
4.2GHz
Boost speed
5.9GHz
Cache
104MB
TDP
120W
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Cores
8
Threads
16
Base speed
3.4GHz
Boost speed
4.5GHz
Cache
96MB
Boost TDP
105W
Which one should you go for?
As is very common in the world of tech and beyond, it comes down to the dance between price and performance.
If you want one of the best CPUs for gaming available this year, and don’t mind investing in the hardware to support it, then without a doubt the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the superior chip. This is thanks to its superior architecture as well as a larger cache and higher boost clock speed.
If you want a high-performance gaming CPU but are looking for a more budget-friendly option, or perhaps simply don’t want to go through the effort of potentially reconfiguring your whole gaming PC, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is still sure to serve you well. As thanks to their 3D cache technology both of these CPUs excel when it comes to gaming.
Gaming relies on having fast and regular access to specific bits of data. However, this is compromised with a less exceptional core and thread count, meaning these two CPUs are not ideal for workloads that rely on multithreaded processing, instead their performance is focused on gaming.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ryzen 7 5800X3D outdated?
No, far from it. Only coming out around a year ago as a high-end, high-performance CPU, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is still one of the best available, especially for gaming.
Is the Ryzen 7 5800X3D good for gaming?
Yes, thanks to its high specs, and huge L3 cache this chip is great for gaming. In fact, it’s one of the best you can buy in its price range. What’s more, it will be a long time before it is outdated.
About the Author
