AMD has introduced the Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor, an updated 8-core, 16-thread CPU featuring 3D V-Cache technology and an increased boost clock speed of up to 5.6GHz. The company announced the processor's launch date as January 29, with a retail price of $499. This introduction is part of AMD's broader product announcements, which also include new Ryzen AI Max+ series processors targeting various computing segments.
Ryzen 7 9850X3D Processor Overview
The Ryzen 7 9850X3D is an iteration of the existing Ryzen 7 9800X3D, designed to offer enhanced specifications. It maintains an 8-core, 16-thread configuration and is built for the AM5 socket, ensuring compatibility with existing AM5 motherboards, though a BIOS update may be required for some older models.
Key Specifications and Features
The processor's key specifications and enhancements include:
- Core Configuration: 8 cores, 16 threads.
- Boost Clock Speed: Up to 5.6GHz, representing a 400MHz increase compared to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D's 5.2GHz.
- Thermal Design Power (TDP): 120 watts.
- Cache Memory: Integrates 3D V-Cache technology, which stacks additional cache vertically. This results in a combined 104MB of L2 and L3 cache, an increase from the 76MB found in standard 9850HX chips.
Performance Claims
AMD has released internal data regarding the processor's performance. The company states an approximate 7 percent performance increase between the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the Ryzen 7 9850X3D. In frequency-sensitive applications, such as certain esports titles, AMD projects a performance uplift exceeding 5 percent. Significant performance differences are not anticipated in AAA game titles.
For competitive benchmarking, AMD claims the Ryzen 7 9850X3D delivers an average performance uplift of 27 percent compared to Intel's Core Ultra 9 285K across a selection of over 35 games. Specific comparisons provided by AMD indicate the 9850X3D is 60 percent faster than Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K in Baldur’s Gate 3 and more than 45 percent faster in Hogwarts Legacy and Counter-Strike 2. AMD's internal data also suggests a 3-8% advantage in frames per second at 1080p compared to the 9800X3D.
Availability and Pricing
The Ryzen 7 9850X3D is scheduled for launch on January 29, with an official retail price of $499. While prior leaked listings had suggested a price point around $200, the official pricing was confirmed by AMD.
AMD plans to continue selling the Ryzen 7 9800X3D alongside the new 9850X3D. The 16-core, 32-thread Ryzen 9 9950X3D will remain the flagship processor within the Ryzen 9000 series. The long-term market position of the 9850X3D, specifically whether it will replace the 9800X3D or be offered in more limited quantities, has not yet been determined.
Additional Product Announcements
Alongside the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, AMD also announced new Ryzen AI 400 series chips and Ryzen AI Max+ series processors. The Ryzen AI Max+ chip family integrates CPU cores, GPU cores, Neural Processing Units (NPUs), and integrated memory onto a single silicon die. The newly introduced processors in this series include the 12-core Ryzen AI Max+ 392 and the 8-core Ryzen AI Max+ 388, both featuring boost speeds up to 5GHz, NPUs with 50 TOPS, and GPUs capable of 60 TFLOPs. These Ryzen AI Max+ chips are also scheduled for release in the first quarter. Reports have circulated regarding a potential 9950X3D2 chip with 192MB of cache, though no official announcement has been made regarding such a product.