AMD Ryzen 9 7900X vs 7900X3D – which CPU should you go for?

If you’re wondering which is more powerful between the Ryzen 9 7900X vs 7900X3D CPUs then you’re certainly not alone. To answer that questions, we’re bringing you a full breakdown and comparison.

The announcement from AMD of their Ryzen 7000 X3D lineup was one of the most exciting of CES 2023. These 3 CPUs all make use of the new Ryzen X3D technology which allows for significantly higher cache sizes. The 7900X3D is the middle child of the range and we are already almost able to get our hands on this sleek new CPU that is released sometime today.

The Ryzen 9 7900X has been out for a bit longer and has made a great impression in that time. With its Zen 4 architecture and incredibly high specs across the board, it is another processor that is great for the enthusiast. If you pair it with a great motherboard and one of the best GPUs for 4K gaming, you’ll be sure to have one of the most powerful gaming rigs out there. It does of course lack the 3D V-Cache of the 7900X3D, so does this make the difference?

To help make the comparison as clear and simple as possible, we have broken it down into separate categories: specs, performance, and value for money and we’ll be explaining the key difference and similarities between the CPUs in each one of them.

So let’s get into it. Here is everything you need to know about the Ryzen 9 7900X vs 7900X3D.

Ryzen 9 7900X vs 7900X3D – Specs

Specs	Ryzen 9 7900X	Ryzen 9 7900X3D
Architecture	Zen 4	Zen 4
Core count	12	12
Thread count	24	24
Base Clock	4.7GHz	4.4GHz
Boost speed	5.6GHz	5.6GHz
Cache	64MB	128MB
TDP	170W	120W
Max. operating temp	95°C	89°C

As you can see, when we put these two powerhouses head to head we see identical core and thread counts but not much else stays the same. Perhaps the standout difference is the Ryzen 9 7900X3D’s gigantic cache size, which comes into being thanks to its X3D technology.

There are of course downsides to this technology, however, as the stacked caches are more susceptible to overheating and therefore also high clock speeds. As a result of this, the 7900X boasts a higher base clock speed and higher maximum operating temperature.

We’ll be breaking down exactly what these differences mean in terms of performance later on in this article.

Read now: Ryzen 9 7950X vs 7950X3D

One important similarity the two CPUs share is their Zen 4 architecture. Zen 4 is incredibly powerful and capable of processing far more instruction per cycle than the previous Zen 3. It also made significant steps forwards in terms of energy efficiency, a step which perhaps proves vital to improving the performance of these two CPUs considering how power-hungry they both are.

So how do these differences translate into performance? We’ve broken it all down for you below.

Ryzen 9 7900X vs 7900X3D – Performance

The cache is essentially a storage space for data that needs to be accessed frequently and quickly, making it vital for gaming performance. That means the 128MB cache size of the 7900X3D can be put to work at high levels with less of a chance of being filled and forcing the program to rely on the slower main memory.

One area where the 7900X has higher specs is in base clock speed. While both the 7900X3D and the 7900X have the exact same maximum clock speed when boosted, the 7900X3D’s base speed drops to 4.4GHz, lower than the 4.7GHz base speed of its non-3D rival. This makes it likely that the 7900X3D will slightly underperform and lower speeds.

Read now: Best motherboard for Ryzen 9 7900

There is an upside though, namely that the 7900X3D boasts higher energy efficiency at those lower speeds. This is in line with the overall superior efficiency of the 7900X3D which has a lower TDP that the 7900X.

We should stress here that both of these CPUs are incredibly powerful and very capable in gaming, meaning that any improvements one holds over the other are not huge in the grand scheme of things. That said, with something as powerful and complex as high-end PC gaming, it can pay to get an advantage wherever you can.

Ryzen 9 7900X vs 7900X3D – Value for money

The starting price for the Ryzen 9 7900X3D is $599. However, if it’s anything like the launch of the 7900X it is possible that the price will drop in the months after its release. Below we’ve listed popular retailers who are selling AMD’s latest processor.

• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Newegg

The 7900X started off at $549 but is easily buyable for around $450 dollars now if you look hard enough. This does make the purchase of one a sweeter deal.

Overall both these CPUs do offer good value for money considering just how powerful they are.

If you do see a well-reduced Ryzen 7900X on sale from a reputable vendor like Newegg, it is probably worth going for it, as the 7900X3D may not see price reductions for some time, due to it being the newer release.

Check price:

• AMD Ryzen™ 9 7900X 12-Core – Amazon

Which one should you go for?

We should start off by pointing out the obvious. Neither of these CPUs is budget-friendly. Instead, they offer some of the most powerful specs and stats available but expect to pay for them.

We are still awaiting until we can actually get our hands on it and put it to the test. This means we can’t say for sure which is superior just yet. Though it is looking very possible that the Ryzen 9 7900X3D’s superior performance, made possible thanks to its higher cache size, will justify its higher price.

If the 7900X3D does drop in price after release it will make its value for money only go up. If that does happen you can be certain that we will cover it here.

Frequently asked questions

What is a 3D cache?

The 3D V-Cache that features on the Ryzen 7000X3D range is a technology that stacks layers of layers vertically above a CPU. This allows for more cache that is closer to the CPU, and therefore faster to access.

What is the most powerful CPU from Ryzen?

Though we will need to wait for the release of the Ryzen 9 7000X3D range to know for sure, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D is shaping up to be the most powerful gaming CPU ever released.