MSI has unveiled a new performance-enhancing feature for its AM5 socket motherboards to improve DDR5 memory latency. Some latency issues that emerged following AMD's AGESA 1.2.0.2a microcode update, which added support for AMD's Ryzen 9000X3D processors, are now fixed. MSI has baked in its BIOS tuning to develop a new "Latency Killer" feature, which can be found in the advanced menu section, specifically within the overclocking submenu in BIOS of MSI X870E/X870 gaming motherboards like MEG X870E GODLIKE and MPG X870E CARBON WIFI. Users have three options to choose from: Auto, Enabled, and Disabled. While the default behavior of the Auto setting remains unclear, it is believed to be initially disabled to ensure system stability.

Recent benchmark testing of Uniko's Hardware using AIDA64 has demonstrated promising results, showing an eight nanosecond improvement in memory latency when the new feature is activated. The test was conducted using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor paired with an MPG X870E Carbon WiFi motherboard and DDR5-8000 CL38 memory, running in High-Efficiency mode at its maximum preset. Some Reddit users with AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on MSI Tomahawk X870 reported seeing 10-12 ns improvement from enabling the "Latency Killer." MSI motherboards complement its Latency Killer feature with additional memory optimization tools in the BIOS, including EXPO / A-XMP profiles, Memory Try It presets, High-Efficiency Mode, and comprehensive manual overclocking options for enthusiasts seeking maximum performance.

TechPowerUp today released the latest update to TechPowerUp GPU-Z, the graphics sub-system information and monitoring utility for PC gamers and enthusiasts. Version 2.61.0 adds support for the new Intel Arc B580 and B570 "Battlemage" graphics cards. Preliminary support is also added for AMD "Navi 48" RDNA 4. This is also the first version of GPU-Z to support detection of Qualcomm Adreno 540, 630, 640, and 642L. GPU-Z is an x86 application, although you can run it on Windows on Arm platforms, where the operating system's emulation allows GPU-Z to detect the underlying hardware.

Among the other GPUs we've added support for, include the iGPU of the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, NVIDIA H100 80 GB HBM3, A4000H, A800 40 GB Active, RTX 5880 Ada, and Tesla K40st. We've also added PCI vendor detection for ONIX, the new Intel Arc board partner, and Shangke. A crash on some AMD Ryzen systems with older drivers, an installed discrete GPU, and disabled iGPU, has been fixed. Grab GPU-Z from the link below.

DOWNLOAD: TechPowerUp GPU-Z 2.61.0

Lexar late last week introduced the ARES DDR5-6000 CL26 memory kit. The kit is optimized for AMD Ryzen platforms, such as the recently launched Ryzen 7 9800X3D. It comes with an AMD EXPO profile for DDR5-6000 and tight timings, including a CAS latency of 26, or 55 ns. It also includes an Intel XMP 3.0 profile that enables the same timings. Typical DDR5-6000 kits tend to come with a CL of 30. Under the hood, the kit uses SK Hynix A-die DRAM chips, and a 10-layer PCB. The module features thermal pads for not just the DRAM chips, but also the PMIC. These transfer heat to a 1.8 mm-thick aluminium heatspreader that's crowned by a silicone diffuser for the module's lighting setup that consists of eight ARGB LEDs, with 13 lighting presets. The module comes in two color options—silver and black. The company didn't reveal pricing or availability information.

About a month ago, we reported about the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D "Zen 5" processor with 3D V-Cache that is flying off the shelves, with scalpers trying to make a profit from buying the retail inventory. The processor continues to face widespread availability issues more than a month after its launch, though the company assures consumers that relief is on the horizon. "We are working diligently to get as much supply to market as possible, with more processors being shipped every week," an AMD spokesperson told Tom's Hardware. "We expect availability to get better as shipments ramp throughout the quarter." The CPU is not only hard to find but also proves to be one of the most sought-after processors on Amazon.

The supply shortage has created opportunities for scalpers, who are listing the processor at prices reaching $1,000—more than double its retail price. Even established retailers like Walmart have listed the chip at inflated prices, approaching $800. Adding to consumers' challenges, some third-party sellers have posted fraudulent listings, making it crucial for buyers to verify seller credibility. While major retailers like Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy, and B&H Photo maintain the official $479 price point when in stock, securing a unit at this price has proven challenging for most consumers. As the holiday season is here, AMD's promised production ramp-up is much needed, as gamers have been planning their upgrade months in advance and are in dire need of pushing the performance of their systems up another notch.

The gaming performance of Intel's latest Core Ultra 200-series "Arrow Lake-S" desktop processors missed the mark by quite a bit, ending up slower than the 14th Gen Core "Raptor Lake" processors. Adding pressure to Intel is AMD's recent launch of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which extends the company's leadership in gaming performance, ending up to 12% faster than the top Core Ultra 9 285K at gaming (1080p). The company then announced that it has identified possible reasons why gaming performance of "Arrow Lake" ended up below expectations, and that it's working on a microcode-level update to the processor.

A discussion in the ASUS ROG Forums sheds light on what this microcode update could be. Allegedly, it's called the Intel 0x114 Microcode Update, and you can expect it soon in a beta UEFI firmware update from ASUS and other motherboard vendors, which makes it possible that we see a public release of the microcode either by yearend, or in Q1-2025. There's still no word on the extent of gaming performance gain from this microcode, but if we were to speculate, Intel wouldn't bother with such an update if it didn't at least bring "Arrow Lake" to the same gaming performance level as "Raptor Lake," if not higher.

AMD has claimed the top ten spots in Amazon's best-selling and most wished-for category with its Ryzen processors. The success of AMD's CPUs can be attributed to the competitive pricing, top-tier performance, and overall features provided by Team Red. In its best-sellers category, Amazon lists the following CPUs: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X, Ryzen 5 5600X, Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Ryzen 5 7600X, Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Ryzen 9 5900X, Ryzen 7 5700X3D, Ryzen 7 7700X, Ryzen 7 5800X, Ryzen 5 7600, and Ryzen 5 5500. The first Intel CPU to appear in the list, at the time of writing, is the Intel Core i5-13600KF CPU, sitting in the spot number 12 in the best-selling department.

Another interesting list to look at is the most wished-for, where Amazon shoppers put CPUs on their wishlist and wait for a purchase. The number one most wished-for CPU is the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D with 3D V-Cache. The eight spots are occupied by: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Ryzen 7 5700X3D, Ryzen 9 5900X, Ryzen 7 5800X, Ryzen 7 7700X, Ryzen 5 7600X, Ryzen 9 9900X, and Ryzen 5 5600X. Intel Core i9-14900K CPU currently occupies the number ten spot. This truly shows the enthusiasm of Amazon shoppers towards AMD's CPU offerings and the company's current mindshare. With an increasing market share, AMD is challenging Intel in the CPU department, providing great competition to tech enthusiasts.

MSI has released a brief statement regarding the recent issue of a burned AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on the MSI Tomahawk X870 motherboard. The issue was reported over at Reddit, showing both burned CPU and socket, and currently it seems to be an isolated incident. MSI is stepping in to investigate the issue and has released a brief statement.

"Recently, we received a user report indicating damage to an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor on an MSI MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard. At MSI, we are fully committed to the quality of our products and have begun investigating this incident. Additionally, we are working closely with AMD and are in contact with GamersNexus, which is independently investigating this incident. We will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses," said MSI in its official statement.

Starforge Systems, the leading pre-built PC manufacturer preferred by streamers, has released CPU upgrades to several of their top gaming PCs this week including the Explorer Pro, Explorer Elite, Voyager Pro and Voyager Elite. Through the latest upgrades, the Explorer Pro and Explorer Elite, the sleek wood-trimmed PC geared toward creatives and gamers, now features Intel Arrow Lake via Intel Core Ultra 7 265K on the Explorer Pro ($2,6949.99) and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K on the Explorer Elite ($4,699.99). With these upgrades, customers can expect added productivity performance, making these the perfect workstation PCs for those looking for a PC that can do it all.

Additionally, the Voyager Pro ($3,299.99) and Voyager Elite ($4,699.99) have been upgraded to include AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, bringing added productivity and gaming performance to the powerhouse PCs. Starforge Systems' Voyager line can be customized with a variety of case print bundle designs including the recently released Dragonlight case.

The desktop version of AMD's next-generation "Zen 6" microarchitecture will retain Socket AM5, Kepler_L2, a reliable source with hardware leaks, revealed. What's more interesting is the rumor that the current "Zen 5" will remain AMD's mainstay for the entirety of 2025, and possibly even most of 2026, at least for the desktop platform. AMD will be banking heavily on the recently announced Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and its high core-count siblings, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and possible 9900X3D, to see the company through for 2025 against Intel. The 9800X3D posted significantly higher gaming performance than Intel, and the 9950X3D is expected to be at least faster than the 7950X3D at gaming, which means its gaming performance, coupled with multithreaded application performance from its 16-core/32-thread count should be the face of AMD's desktop processor lineup for at least the next year.

It wouldn't be off-character for AMD to launch "Zen 6" on AM5, and not refresh the platform. The company had launched three microarchitectures (Zen thru Zen 3) on Socket AM4. With "Zen 6," AMD has the opportunity to not just increase IPC, but also core-counts per CCD, cache sizes, a new foundry node such as 3 nm, and probably even introduce features such as hybrid architecture and an NPU to the desktop platform, which means it could at least update the current 6 nm client I/O die (cIOD) while retaining AM5. A new cIOD could give AMD the much-needed opportunity to update the DDR5 memory controllers to support higher memory frequencies. The Kepler_L2 leak predicts a "late-2026 or early-2027" launch for desktop "Zen 6" processors. In the meantime, Intel is expected to ramp "Arrow Lake-S" on Socket LGA1851, and debut the "Panther Lake" microarchitecture on LGA1851 in 2025-26.

Unlike the Ryzen 7 9700X, which was off to a glacial start when it launched, the new Ryzen 7 9800X3D "Zen 5" processor with 3D V-Cache is flying off the shelves. This is the fastest gaming processor you can buy, and gamers want their best machines in place when the next generation of GPUs make landfall starting January 2025. As of this writing, the 9800X3D is out of stock on Newegg, Amazon, and Micro Center. The chip is, however, available through systems integrators and OEMs, who probably secured their inventory of the chip separately. A quick look over at eBay suggests that the 9800X3D is being scalped—the practice where individuals buy up inventory of the processor at retail prices, and re-sell it at a mark-up. We are seeing prices in the range of $670 to $800. There are probably limits to how high scalpers can price the 9800X3D, because at a high enough price, buyers could simply not be interested in the chip, and simply pick up a much cheaper 7800X3D, or the versatile 7950X3D, or even go Intel with the i9-14900K.

The leading system integrator iBUYPOWER, a company focusing on building high-performance gaming computers, announced today that new PCs equipped with the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Series CPU, AMD's fastest gaming desktop processor, can now be purchased on its official website. By integrating the new processor into an iBUYPOWER system that is backed by an extensive warranty of three-years labor and two-years parts, customers can look forward to top-of-the-line gaming performance powered by AMD "Zen 5" architecture and built on 4 nm technology.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Series processor is built with exclusive 2nd gen AMD 3D V-Cache technology, which enables up to 104 MB of on-chip memory and provides increased frequencies for higher and smoother frame rates when paired with AMD EXPO technology. The new CPU is designed for the AMD AM5 platform, which allows for breakneck DDR5 memory speeds, PCIe 5.0 integration for high-speed bandwidth, and is built for long-lasting performance against the latest gaming releases.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D will be available to purchase from today, November 7, 2024. The 8-core/16-thread processor features 3D V-Cache technology, and is based on the "Zen 5" microarchitecture. AMD has priced the 9800X3D at $480 (MSRP). The processor was reviewed by TechPowerUp yesterday, we conclude that it is the fastest processor for a gaming PC build, posting the highest frame-rates at any resolution. It is 12% faster than Intel's flagship Core Ultra 9 285K "Arrow Lake" processor at gaming (at 1080p), although the processor falls behind in productivity workloads due to its significantly lower CPU core count than other CPUs, such as the cheaper Core i7-14700K or Core Ultra 7 265K. The 9800X3D is only around 5% faster than its predecessor, the 7800X3D, at gaming, although it is 13% faster than the 5800X3D.

You can read all about the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D in its TechPowerUp Review.

The latest update to CPU-Z, the popular system information and diagnostic tool, has rolled out comprehensive support for upcoming processor architectures from both AMD and Intel, along with new memory standards. Among the notable additions is support for AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which builds upon AMD's successful 3D V-Cache technology and is scheduled to launch tomorrow. The update also covers Intel's "Arrow Lake" processors, including both HX and H series variants. The Arrow Lake lineup integration spans multiple performance tiers, from the flagship Core Ultra 9 285HX down to the mainstream Core Ultra 5 series. The H-series mobile processors, including the Core Ultra 9 285H and various Ultra 7 and Ultra 5 models, are also fully supported.

Additionally, CPU-Z now recognizes Intel's complete Raptor Lake refresh, covering an extensive range of processors across different power segments. This includes the Core 7 series (160HL through 150U), Core 5 series (130HL through 120U), and Core 3 series (100HL through 100U), catering to various computing needs from high-performance to energy-efficient applications. The update extends beyond processors to support CUDIMM ((Clocked Unbuffered DIMM) DDR5 memory. CUDIMMs represent a modified DDR5 memory featuring an integrated Client Clock Driver (CKD) that generates its clock signal to minimize noise and jitter at speeds of 6400 MT/s and above, ensuring better stability and data integrity than traditional DDR5 modules.

DOWNLOAD CPU-Z 2.12 here.

Thanks to a recent report from VideoCardz, we learned that AMD has introduced a series of prebuilt desktop computers in China featuring their new Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor. The systems are being sold through AMD's store on JD.com rather than through traditional computer manufacturers. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, which launches November 7 at $479, will be the centerpiece of these systems. For the components, AMD partnered with several manufacturers: ASUS supplies motherboards and graphics cards, Thermalright provides the 360 mm 360 Frozen Infinity AIO liquid cooling system, and LOONGTR makes the computer cases, which include Ryzen branding. The company is offering seven different configurations. Each system includes 32 GB of DDR5-6000 memory and uses an ASUS TUF Gaming B650M-Plus motherboard with 1 TB storage, except for one model with a Prime X670E-Pro motherboard with 2 TB storage.

Prices range from $1,000 for the base model without a graphics card to $2,100 for the version with AMD's RX 7900 XTX graphics card. Some models include NVIDIA graphics cards instead of AMD's own, specifically the RTX 4070 Super and RTX 4070 Ti Super. The computers will be available starting November 7, just before Singles' Day on November 11, a major shopping event in China. It overlaps with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D launch, given that it is the heart of the system. AMD already sells other prebuilt systems in the Chinese market, including models with various Ryzen processors and graphics cards, such as the China-only RX 6750 GRE.

We are days away from the official November 7 launch of AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU with 3D V-Cache, and we are already seeing some estimates of the speedup compared to the last-generation Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU. According to a Geekbench submission discovered by Everest (Olrak29_) on X, the upcoming AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has been spotted running at a clock speed of 5.46 GHz. This is a 260 MHz increase from the official boost frequency of 5.2 GHz, which indicates overclocking has been applied. If readers recall, the last generations of X3D processors had overclocking disabled, and this time, things are looking different thanks to the compute die being placed on top of SRAM. AMD attributes this to CCD being closer to the heat spreader instead of memory and allowing it to spread heat more effectively, ensuring a stable overclock.

Regarding performance, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D outperforms its predecessor, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, by an impressive 27.4% in the single-core Geekbench v6 test and 26.8% in the multicore test. The last generation CPU scored 2,726 points in single-core and 15,157 points in multicore tests, while the new Zen 5 design has managed to produce 3,473 points in single-core and 19,216 in multicore tests. These results are approximately 27% improvement over the Zen 4, suggesting that the Zen 5 architecture benefits greatly from better SRAM bandwidth and capacity. While these results only come from synthetic benchmarks, they give us a picture of what to expect from this CPU. We have to wait for more real-world test cases to fully conclude the improvement factor.

Just last week, AMD announced the arrival of its upcoming Ryzen 9000 series of CPUs with 3D V-Cache for November 7. However, we might be in for a treat, as AMD could be preparing Threadripper 9000WX/X series of CPUs with 3D V-Cache. According to VideoCardz, the ASUS Pro WS WRX90E-SAGE SE board appears to include an intriguing feature in its settings—there's a configuration option related to 3D V-Cache control, though this setting currently doesn't have any practical application with the available Threadripper 7000WX and 7000X processors. The presence of this setting hasn't been officially documented by ASUS, showing that this feature could indeed end up in future iterations of Threadripper processors, namely the 9000WX/X series.

AMD currently offers 3D V-Cache treatment in its high-end Genoa-X CPUs, with up to 96 cores and 192 threads, and 1,152 MB of L3 cache. These CPUs were praised for their capabilities in the high-performance computing sector, performing calculations at unprecedented rates thanks to the massive cache size and bandwidth. If AMD decides to opt-in for the HEDT market with 3D V-Cache, we might see an appearance with the upcoming Threadripper generation. However, right now, it is only speculation based on undocumented features in ASUS's high-end board. Even if these CPUs are planned, we are not near their launch as the priority is launching and shipping the consumer-oriented Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU on November 7.

MSI is thrilled to introduce the upcoming AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, an innovation built on the Zen 5 architecture and featuring AMD's groundbreaking 3D V-Cache technology. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is designed for peak performance with improved IPC and superior power efficiency compared to the previous generation, promising an exhilarating leap in computing power.

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D integrates seamlessly with the AM5 socket ecosystem, providing users access to PCIe Gen 5 bandwidth and high-speed DDR5 memory support. Built on a 4 nm process, this processor establishes a new performance, power efficiency, and responsiveness benchmark, ideal for intensive gaming and content creation. MSI's X870(E) motherboards are fully compatible with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, featuring a robust lineup from MEG X870E GODLIKE to MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI. MSI's X870(E) motherboards and AMD's latest processors unlock peak gaming performance for users.

Today, AMD unveiled new desktop computing products, delivering enhanced performance for gamers. The lineup features the new AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Desktop processor, based on the "Zen 5" architecture and utilizing 2nd Gen AMD 3D V-Cache technology.

With the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, AMD has re-engineered its cutting-edge on-chip memory solution with 2nd Gen AMD 3D V-Cache technology. The 64 MB cache memory has been relocated below the processor, which puts the core complex die (CCD) closer to the cooling solution to help keep the "Zen 5" cores cooler, delivering high clock rates and providing up to an average 8% gaming performance improvement compared to our last-gen generation and up to an average 20% faster than the competition. This revolutionary change in placement allows for extreme overclocking of the processor. It's the first X3D processor to be fully unlocked, empowering enthusiasts and gamers to push its performance to new limits.

The upcoming AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor is already in the hands of hardware modders, who have put the chip through de-lidding (removal of the integrated heatspreader or IHS), revealing what's underneath. In the 9800X3D de-lidded picture, the CCD appears plain, with no apparent L3D on top, unlike on the 7800X3D (second picture, below). We'd been hearing reports that with the 9000X3D series, AMD has redesigned the way the 3D V-cache die (L3D) and the CPU complex die (CCD) are stacked together, by inverting their arrangement, such that the CCD is on top, and the L3D below.

In past generations of X3D processors, such as the 7800X3D and the 5800X3D, the L3D is stacked on top of the CCD, with structural silicon handling the crucial task of transferring heat from the CPU cores to the IHS. This inversion in stacking should ensure better thermals for the CPU cores, the 9800X3D boosting behavior should be similar to that of non-X3D chips, such as the 9700X. AMD has given the 9800X3D a 120 W TDP and 5.20 GHz boost frequency. This inversion of the CCD and L3D stacking is probably what is behind the "X3D Reimagined" teaser blurb by AMD.

Specifications of the upcoming AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor were leaked to the web by a Geizhals listing. The chip comes with a processor base frequency of 4.70 GHz, and a maximum boost frequency of 5.20 GHz. The base frequency of 4.70 GHz is a significant increase from the 4.20 GHz of the current 7800X3D, while the maximum boost frequency has moved up a couple of notches from the 5.05 GHz of the 7800X3D. The TDP of the processor is set at 120 W, same as the 7800X3D, and higher than the 105 W revised-spec cTDP of the non-X3D Ryzen 7 9700X.

The specs sheet also confirms that the 3D V-cache size is unchanged generationally. The stacked 3D V-cache die adds 64 MB to the on-die 32 MB L3 cache, which is exposed to software as a 96 MB contiguously addressable L3 cache. The per-core L2 cache size remains 1 MB per core. The biggest contributor to generational gaming performance increases will rest on the increase in frequencies, the new "Zen 5" microarchitecture and any IPC improvements on offer, plus L3 cache performance improvements AMD introduced with "Zen 5." We recently reported a spectacular theory that AMD has designed the 9800X3D such that the stacked 3D V-cache is positioned below the 8-core CPU complex die chiplet, and not above it, which should significantly improve thermals, and clock speeds.

Much of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D teaser material from AMD had the recurring buzzwords "X3D Reimagined," causing us to speculate what it could be. 9550pro, a reliable source with hardware leaks, says that AMD has redesigned the way the CPU complex die (CCD) and 3D V-cache die (L3D) are stacked together. In past generations of X3D processors, such as the 5800X3D "Vermeer-X" and the 7800X3D "Raphael-X," the L3D is stacked on top of the CCD. It would stack above the central region of the CCD that has the on-die 32 MB L3 cache, while blocks of structural silicon would be placed on top of the edges of the CCD that have the CPU cores, with these structural silicon blocks performing the crucial task of transferring heat from the CPU cores to the IHS above. This is about to change.

If the leaks are right, AMD has inverted the CCD-L3D stack with the 9000X3D series such that the "Zen 5" CCD is now on top, the L3D is below it, under the central region of the CCD. The CPU cores now dissipate heat to the IHS as they do on regular 9000 series processors without the 3D V-cache technology. The way we imagine they achieved this is by enlarging the L3D to align with the size of the CCD, and serve as a kind of "base tile." The L3D would have to be peppered with TSVs that connect the CCD to the fiberglass substrate below. We know where AMD is going with this in the future. Right now, the L3D "base tile" contains the 64 MB 3D V-cache that gets appended to the 32 MB on-die L3 cache, but in the future (probably with "Zen 6"), AMD could design the CCDs with TSVs even for the per-core L2 caches.

Here is the first picture of the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D retail box up close. We've seen lower-res versions of this box in older leaks. A variation of the retail box-art of other Ryzen 9000 series "Granite Ridge" desktop processors, The 9800X3D box brightens up the silver background behind the AMD Arrow, as well as the Arrow's orange borders. One of the triangular background cutouts has the "7" brand extension, while the other mentions AMD 3D V-cache technology, which is all the confirmation we need that this indeed is the 9800X3D. AMD announced the 9000X3D series debut earlier this week, with product availability starting November 7, 2024.

AMD China has set up a press event to launch its new Ryzen 7 9800X3D "Zen 5" processor with 3D V-cache. The company is sending out invitations like the one pictured below to the Chinese tech press and select PC enthusiasts. The event is slated to take place in Zhuhai, and spans October 23 and 24, which could mean that the company has set up an experience zone, where visitors can take gaming desktops powered by the 9800X3D for a spin with popular game titles. It won't surprise us if AMD has at least an online press event planned around this time for the rest of the world.

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is widely expected to extend AMD's lead with gaming performance. In first-party gaming benchmarks put out by Intel for its upcoming Core Ultra 9 285K "Arrow Lake" processor, the new chip is shown within 3% of the Core i9-14900K, which the current Ryzen 7 7800X3D beats, and the 9800X3D can only push the gaming performance envelope further from here. If it's not the higher IPC of "Zen 5," then it could be the alleged 5.20 GHz all-core boost frequency for the 9800X3D. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is expected to go on sale in the first week of November 2024.

AMD is allegedly announcing its Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor on October 25, with availability in the first week of November 2024. This according to leaky taps among Chinese tech forums with a track record of getting such details right. We've been hearing about an October launch of the 9800X3D in late-September, which puts the announcement just a month after the 9800X3D's early launch first hit the radar. We've since seen a couple of performance or specs leaks, such as this one, which talks about a significant increase in clock speeds over past generations of X3D processors, this one which points to its Cinebench scores, and this one, which confirms a 5.20 GHz all-core boost frequency. Perhaps the biggest leak of them all, which is quasi-official, as it comes from a major PC hardware manufacturer, is this one, with some performance testing. When you cross-reference these numbers with Intel's first party gaming performance claims for its upcoming Core Ultra 9 285K "Arrow Lake-S" processor, you get the hint that AMD is set to win this round for gaming performance.

MSI OCLab made some groundbreaking disclosures about the gaming performance of upcoming AMD Ryzen 9000X3D processors. It looks like AMD is set to dominate the Intel Core Ultra 2-series "Arrow Lake-S" desktop processors in gaming performance, if these numbers hold up. In the games that MSI tested, namely "Far Cry 6," "Shadow of the Tomb Raider," and "Black Myth: Wukong," the "8-core 9000X3D" processor, or the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, is found to be 11% faster on average than the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. The "16-core 9000X3D" processor, which is expected to be the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, is an impressive 13% faster than its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

Normally we'd expect bigger gen-on-gen gains for the 8-core part than the 16-core part, but the 16-core 9000X3D pulling ahead by that much over its predecessor hints at the possibility of AMD either giving it significantly higher clock speeds, or the rumor about AMD deploying both 3D V-cache on both its CCDs could be true after all. The 9950X3D could end up roughly on-par with the 9800X3D if this turns out to be true, given that the gaming performance delta between the 7800X3D and 7950X3D is roughly that much—2-3 percentage points. Intel earlier this week officially announced the Core Ultra 2-series desktop processors. As part of the announcement, the company put out some first-party gaming performance numbers, which put the top Core Ultra 9 285K either on-par with the Core i9-14900K, or faster by 2-3%, which means it should land behind even the 7950X3D in gaming performance, and AMD is set to dominate Intel in gaming performance with the 9000X3D series.