76

Ryzen 7 9700X Processor

Zen 5 · 8C/16T · AM5

$349

MSRP

92

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Processor

Zen 5 3D V-Cache · 8C/16T · AM5

$479

MSRP

Our verdict

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D Processor takes the performance lead with a 21% higher overall score, driven by its 8 shader cores, 96 MB of memory, and 5,200 MHz TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 19% more frames per second across demanding titles like Counter-Strike 2 1080p and Cyberpunk 2077 1080p.

However, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D Processor tells a compelling value story. At $479 versus the Ryzen 7 9700X Processor's $349 price tag, it costs $130 less while delivering performance that's only 21% behind. Its 96 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 9800X3D Processor is the smarter purchase. The Ryzen 7 9700X 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 9800X3D Processor

21% faster overall

Best value for money

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Processor

3% better value per dollar

Ryzen 7 9700X Processor best for

Power efficiency

3% better value per dollar

Memory

Max memory
256 GB
256 GB
Memory type
DDR5-5600
DDR5-5600
Memory channels
2
2

Performance

Cores
8
8
Threads
16
16
Base clock
3,800 MHz
4,700 MHz
Boost clock
5,500 MHz
5,200 MHz
L2 cache
8 MB
8 MB
L3 cache
32 MB
96 MB
Process
4 nm
4 nm
Transistors
N/A
N/A

platform

Socket
AM5
AM5
PCIe
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
PCIe lanes
24
24
Integrated graphics
AMD Radeon (RDNA 2)
AMD Radeon (RDNA 2)

Power

TDP
65W
120W
Max turbo power
88W
120W

Gaming benchmarks (avg FPS at 1080p)

Counter-Strike 2
355 fps
420 fps
Cyberpunk 2077
152 fps
180 fps
Hogwarts Legacy
132 fps
158 fps
Spider-Man 2
142 fps
170 fps
Starfield
102 fps
125 fps

Synthetic & compute benchmarks

Blender BMW
82 seconds
78 seconds
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
920 pts
980 pts
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
13,500 pts
14,200 pts
Handbrake 4K Encode
162 seconds
155 seconds
7-Zip Compression
88,000 MIPS
92,000 MIPS
Adobe Premiere Pro Export
55 seconds
52 seconds
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
135 pts
138 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
3,050 pts
3,100 pts

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ryzen 7 9800X3D Processor worth $130 more than the Ryzen 7 9700X Processor?

It depends on your needs. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D Processor scores 92 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 9700X Processor or Ryzen 7 9800X3D Processor?

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D Processor delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D 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 9800X3D Processor is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the Ryzen 7 9700X Processor or Ryzen 7 9800X3D 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 9800X3D Processor if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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