78

Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor

Zen 3 3D V-Cache · 8C/16T · AM4

$449

MSRP

76

Ryzen 7 9700X Processor

Zen 5 · 8C/16T · AM5

$349

MSRP

Our verdict

The Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor takes the performance lead with a 3% higher overall score, driven by its 8 shader cores, 96 MB of memory, and 4,500 MHz TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 1% more frames per second across demanding titles like Counter-Strike 2 1080p and Cyberpunk 2077 1080p.

However, the Ryzen 7 9700X Processor tells a compelling value story. At $349 versus the Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor's $449 price tag, it costs 29% less while delivering performance that's only 3% behind. Its 32 MB of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.

Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the Ryzen 7 9700X Processor is the smarter purchase. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.

Performance winner

Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor

3% faster overall

Best value for money

Ryzen 7 9700X Processor

8% better value per dollar

Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor best for

Value for money

3% faster overall

Memory

Max memory
128 GB
256 GB
Memory type
DDR4-3200
DDR5-5600
Memory channels
2
2

Performance

Cores
8
8
Threads
16
16
Base clock
3,400 MHz
3,800 MHz
Boost clock
4,500 MHz
5,500 MHz
L2 cache
4 MB
8 MB
L3 cache
96 MB
32 MB
Process
7 nm
4 nm
Transistors
N/A
N/A

platform

Socket
AM4
AM5
PCIe
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0
PCIe lanes
24
24
Integrated graphics
None
AMD Radeon (RDNA 2)

Power

TDP
105W
65W
Max turbo power
105W
88W

Gaming benchmarks (avg FPS at 1080p)

Counter-Strike 2
355 fps
355 fps
Cyberpunk 2077
155 fps
152 fps
Hogwarts Legacy
135 fps
132 fps
Spider-Man 2
145 fps
142 fps
Starfield
105 fps
102 fps

Synthetic & compute benchmarks

Blender BMW
95 seconds
82 seconds
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
720 pts
920 pts
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
10,800 pts
13,500 pts
Handbrake 4K Encode
180 seconds
162 seconds
7-Zip Compression
72,000 MIPS
88,000 MIPS
Adobe Premiere Pro Export
62 seconds
55 seconds
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
95 pts
135 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
2,050 pts
3,050 pts

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor worth $100 more than the Ryzen 7 9700X Processor?

It depends on your needs. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor scores 78 overall vs 76 for the Ryzen 7 9700X Processor. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the Ryzen 7 9700X Processor offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor or Ryzen 7 9700X Processor?

The Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the Ryzen 7 9700X Processor still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the Ryzen 7 9700X Processor handle 4K gaming?

The Ryzen 7 9700X Processor can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor or Ryzen 7 9700X Processor?

Choose the Ryzen 7 9700X Processor if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the Ryzen 7 5800X3D Processor if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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