RIP Intel: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU Review & Benchmarks vs. 7800X3D, 285K, 14900K, & More Leave a comment
The 9800X3D is a $480 MSRP half for the AM5 platform. Let’s get into the overview.
AMD 9800X3D Overview & Pricing
The one method AMD might screw up this launch could be with the value, so let’s begin with a value comparability and replace. This was all collected within the days main as much as overview publication.
CPU Value Comparability | GamersNexusEarly November, 2024
| Newegg Value | Amazon Value | |
| AMD 9800X3D (MSRP $480) | ||
| AMD 9950X | $585 | $600 |
| AMD 9900X | $430 | $383 |
| AMD 9700X | $327 | $325 |
| AMD 7950X3D | $598 (OOS) | $598 |
| AMD 7950X | $493 | $487 |
| AMD 7900X | $396 | $319 |
| AMD 7900 | $358 | $368 |
| AMD 7800X3D | $449 (OOS) | $476 |
| AMD 5700X3D | $229 | $187 |
| Intel 285K | $630 (OOS) | NFS / OOS |
| Intel 265K | $400 | $400 |
| Intel 245K | $320 | $320 |
| Intel 14900K | $440 | $440 |
| Intel 14700K | $347 | $347 |
| Intel 13900K | NFS / OOS | $445 |
| Intel 13700K | NFS / OOS | $343 |
| Intel 12900K | $310 | $277 |
The 9800X3D’s MSRP is $480. It’s not listed as we write this.
Assuming that value is correct, a few of its direct neighbors and rivals embody the others on this checklist. The 7800X3D is about $476 now and is out of inventory with a listed former value of $450 on Newegg. The 7800X3D (watch our review) has beforehand been as little as $300 to $330, with drops in August to round $360. These days, its value has stabilized greater. We’ve got a coverage of constructing comparisons in opposition to pricing on the time of the overview, so we’ll use the $476-$480 determine right now.
The 5700X3D is priced at $187 to $230. The 7950X (watch our review) is the same value to the 9800X3D, touchdown at about $500. That’d be one to concentrate to for non-gaming workloads.
Intel’s competitors consists of the 285K, to the extent you possibly can even name it “competitors,” seeing because it barely competes with Intel’s personal elements on worth. The 285K(learn our review) is $630 the place it may be discovered, and also you shouldn’t purchase it, with the 265K(watch our review) at $400. The prior technology elements, just like the 14900K, have fallen in value currently. That’s at $440, with the 14700K at $347.
We’ve got loads to get by, so let’s get into the benchmarks. We’ll have frequency, gaming, effectivity, and manufacturing assessments.
AMD 9800X3D Frequency Comparability
AMD 9800X3D All-Core Frequency Comparability
We’ll begin with a comparability of frequency in opposition to the 7800X3D. It will assist clarify the efficiency variations we’re going to see right now.
In an all-core workload with Blender, we noticed the 9800X3D sustaining a mean all-core frequency at a hard and fast 5225 MHz with none dropping. The soundness and flatness of this frequency is a results of the upper energy restrict, which is permitting the core all the facility it wants to take care of this increase.
The 7800X3D averaged between 4800 and 4890 MHz in the course of the unique overview cycle for this similar take a look at. It’s considerably decrease and fewer fastened, proven by the road’s variability.
AMD 9800X3D Single-Core Frequency Comparability
In a single-thread comparability with Cinebench, the 9800X3D additionally held a most single-core increase of 5225 MHz all through the period of the take a look at. The 7800X3D held at 5050 MHz in the identical take a look at as a most single-core frequency.
Between these two assessments, the 9800X3D holds a major frequency benefit over its predecessor in each all-core and single-core hundreds.
VID Comparability
We additionally ran a voltage ID comparability simply with software program. In Blender, the 9800X3D held a VID of 1.18V on common, with the 7800X3D at about 1.07V. The 7800X3D is energy restricted and likewise working at decrease clocks, which mix to yield a decrease VID.
AMD 9800X3D Thermal Benchmark
Utilizing the identical Blender all-core workload, we measured a Tdie CPU temperature of roughly 77 levels Celsius in a 21-degree Celsius setting when utilizing a 360mm Liquid Freezer II at 100% pump and fan speeds. CPU die common was comparable.
The L3 cache plotted simply over 50 levels Celsius, with the CPU IOD temperatures round 41 levels with hotspot readings at about 50 levels.
The 9800X3D can’t be straight in comparison with the 7800X3D thermally through the use of inner sensors picked up by software program. It might be inaccurate with out accounting for the adjustments AMD has made in its sensors. The AMD temperature sensors have been relocated throughout the silicon and moved to cooler areas to stop clock dropping too early. We talked about this in our 9700X review and offered a managed comparability so you possibly can higher perceive why the sensor readout is not straight comparable between the architectures.
9700X vs. 9800X3D Thermals
It may be straight in comparison with the 9700X, although. The 9700X pulls much less energy on this take a look at and so might be cooler, but it surely’ll nonetheless assist to check. The 9700X (learn our review) ran a Tdie of about 52 levels Celsius underneath the identical take a look at circumstances and with the identical cooler.
With PBO maxed-out on the 9700X, we noticed a few 13W greater energy draw than the 9800X3D inventory. This landed the 9700X at about 86 levels Celsius. It isn’t completely comparable as a result of the facility isn’t precisely matched and we finally don’t have a straightforward technique to straight examine the 7800X3D’s thermals from the cache change with out options that require extra time than AMD offers in a overview cycle. Even nonetheless, the important thing takeaway is that the 9800X3D shouldn’t be burning the cores at extreme temperatures even with the stacked resolution.
AMD 9800X3D Gaming Benchmarks
Let’s get into gaming benchmarks.
Stellaris Simulation Time
Stellaris is a 4X sport that we take a look at for simulation time quite than framerate. Decrease is healthier, with the end result measured in seconds.
Zen 5 has already proven benefits on this take a look at, with the 9700X beforehand scoring the brand new prime rank within the benchmark and outmatching all prior CPUs. Core rely has restricted profit on this past 8 cores for AMD, however IPC and clocks appear to matter.
The 9800X3D completely crushes the prior prime end result, with a 25.8-second end result in opposition to the 9700X’s already barrier-breaking 30.3-second end result. This beforehand seemed to be a limitation of the reminiscence, which we will see bolstered by the 31.1-second 285K end result at DDR5-8600 vs. the inventory end result at 32.5.
The unique X3D CPU with the 5800X3D (watch our review) posted a 35.4-second end result in opposition to the 40.7 results of the 5800X, so we’re seeing a repeat of that period, which was additionally spectacular.
The 9800X3D additionally reduces the 7800X3D’s simulation time by 17.6%.
Intel’s finest displaying is the 285K with quicker reminiscence, however that’s not a like-for-like comparability as we might increase reminiscence on AMD additionally. The 285K inventory required 32.5 seconds to finish the simulation, which means the 9800X3D reduces time required by 21%. The 7950X3D exhibits why we haven’t retested it, underperforming total for causes defined in our review of the half.
The 14900K and 14700K are successfully tied and inside error of one another, and eradicating any limits wouldn’t change that a lot.
It is a nice displaying for the 9800X3D.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is up now, one other of our 2024 titles. This sport, even with all its updates to enhance CPU efficiency, remains to be heavy on CPUs. The 9800X3D distances itself from the 7800X3D with a 16.2% uplift, gaining on the unique 111 FPS AVG to a powerful 129 FPS AVG. We reran this one a number of occasions to make sure the end result was proper, but it surely ended up not even being our largest achieve within the suite.
The achieve on the 14900K (learn our review)was about 17%, up from 109.6 FPS AVG. The identical is true of the prior 5800X3D. Over the 285K, we noticed a 23% uplift.
Frametimes have been improved on this sport, however not as a lot as we noticed in another video games. The advance is kind of proportional to the typical framerate, so there is no such thing as a significantly spectacular divergence in lows. In different phrases, it tracks with what we’d anticipate of a 129 FPS AVG.
FFXIV Dawntrail – 1080p
Closing Fantasy 14: Dawntrail is up now, launched this yr. The 9800X3D breaks the earlier higher sure of the chart.
Let’s run by the flagships: The 9800X3D CPU ran at 373 FPS AVG, which has it at 5.6% greater framerate than the 7800X3D whereas costing the identical as the present 7800X3D pricing at time of writing. The 14900K ran at 310.3 FPS AVG, giving the 9800X3D an enormous lead of 20.2%. This is without doubt one of the video games the place the brand new Arrow Lake CPUs are massively regressive and impressively unhealthy worth, so the 285K’s 270 FPS AVG offers the 9800X3D an awesome lead of 38.3% greater common framerate. As for the 5800X3D, the lead is 11.8% over the prior AMD gaming flagship’s 334 FPS AVG.
For some anchors to older elements: The R7 2700 (learn our revisit) and 2600 (learn our revisit) have been round 145 to 150 FPS AVG, with the 2600 benefiting from a frequency benefit. The 3600 (learn our review) was at 170 FPS AVG. The Intel 12100F is down at 186 FPS.
FFXIV Dawntrail Frametimes
For frametimes, we noticed total comparable frame-to-frame intervals for the 9800X3D and 7800X3D. Usually, they oscillate between 2ms and 4ms intervals, the place 16.667ms could be 60 FPS. The spikes are what matter: The 9800X3D on this title has barely shorter excursions from the imply than the 7800X3D. The distinction is hardly perceptible, however on a technicality, the 9800X3D does ship extra constant frametimes on this title.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 from 2023 is up subsequent. We wish to caveat this one with a disclaimer: We noticed a bigger than typical achieve within the 9800X3D versus the 7800X3D for this. After we spent a day troubleshooting it, we now have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as a proof to recommend any testing errors or uncharacteristic points attributable to the take a look at or sport itself, so we’re going to run the information as a result of it’s attention-grabbing. We’d pull it if we had any substantiated issues. We checked with two different reviewers in peer overview, ran HWINFO logging, reran the assessments a number of occasions on each the 9800X3D and 7800X3D, and got here to the identical conclusions.
The sport has the 9800X3D method up at 160 FPS AVG, main the 7800X3D by an obscene 26.9%. The 7800X3D in each our proven dataset and our unshown extra assessments have it within the 124-126 FPS vary. This was one of many video games we double-checked and obtained the identical outcomes every time.
The 14900K ran at 105 FPS AVG, giving the 9800X3D a crushing benefit of 53.2%; the 7800X3D already had a lead over the 14900K of round 21%, relying on which information set we checked out.
The 9800X3D leads the 285K’s 100 FPS AVG by 60%. In opposition to the 5800X3D, we’re seeing a lift of 33.3% from the prior 120 FPS AVG.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Frametimes
Baldur’s Gate 3 frametimes for the 9800X3D additionally improved over the 7800X3D, and this time, it wasn’t simply proportional to the typical uplift. Right here, you possibly can see the 9800X3D maintained a tighter frame-to-frame interval with decreased amplitude of excursions from any given prior body.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Monitoring
As a result of this was such an outlier, we ran HWINFO logging in opposition to the take a look at as a separate run.
On this take a look at, the 9800X3D common all-core frequency was about 5225 MHz, which is spectacular for all-core. We predict that is why the efficiency is so disproportionately good: There’s a a lot greater energy funds, so we’re not trimming the frequency peaks, and the facility consumption itself total isn’t extreme on this sport. The 2 mix for full boosting.
Plotting the 7800X3D, we see a a lot spikier, much less predictable common all-core frequency that bounces between 4500 MHz and about 5050 MHz underneath load. The very best single-core frequency can also be variable. That is contributing to the behaviors found on this take a look at.
Rainbow Six Siege
In Rainbow Six Siege, the 9800X3D landed at 643 FPS AVG and led the 7800X3D’s 622 FPS end result by 3.4%. There are restricted positive factors to be present in a sport already over 600 FPS. We’d must re-evaluate this with no matter flagship NVIDIA places out subsequent to attempt to discover the true CPU ceiling. It not less than offers perspective that you could be not see huge variations in closely sure situations.
The 14900K ran at 586 FPS AVG right here, so the 9800X3D has a ten% enchancment. The brand new X3D half can also be about 10% over the 285K. In comparison with the 5800X3D, the 9800X3D positive factors 12% in AVG FPS.
We eliminated another CPUs from this one to create space for APO on outcomes. As a reminder, APO is now doing little for efficiency in any of our assessments. This consists of Rainbow Six, which beforehand noticed bigger influence. The 14900K is about 10 FPS completely different with APO on. The 285K noticed change solely inside error and run-to-run variance so it’s irrelevant.
Starfield
Starfield is up now, a 2023 title.
On this sport, the 9800X3D leads the 7800X3D by 16%, impressing as soon as once more generationally. The brand new result’s 169 FPS AVG to the 145 FPS of the 7800X3D.
The 14900K is led by 24.6% with its 135 FPS end result. The brand new 285K did a little bit higher than the 14900K on this sport, at 143 FPS AVG. That’s nonetheless an 18% greater common framerate for the 9800X3D. Even with the DDR5-8600 reminiscence in Gear 2 with the 285K, it nonetheless caps-out at 152 FPS AVG. That was a fantastic end result, however the 9800X3D places issues into a brand new perspective.
In opposition to the prior AMD 5800X3D flagship and its 128 FPS end result, the brand new 9800X3D has a 31.4% uplift.
Some fast reference older elements embody the 2600 at 59 FPS AVG, the 2700 at 66, the 3600 at 70, and the 12100F at 71 FPS.
F1 24 – 1080p
F1 24 is one other of the video games with a decrease increase over the 7800X3D. The 9800X3D ran at 464 FPS AVG right here, a 5.8% enchancment on the 438 FPS results of the 7800X3D. The 14900K ran at 385 FPS AVG, in order that’s a few 21% uplift for the 9800X3D. The 285K was massively regressive on this sport and was down at 344 FPS, giving the 9800X3D a 35% benefit.
In opposition to AMD’s flagship from the 5000 period, the lead is eighteen.6% over the 391 FPS results of the 5800X3D.
Complete Warhammer 3
Complete Battle: Warhammer 3 is without doubt one of the older video games we take a look at, however is vital for perspective on GPU and reminiscence bottlenecks.
The 9800X3D ran at 490 FPS AVG, which is inside error of the 7800X3D. These two are sure by the identical bottleneck, which is the GPU on this scenario.
There’s solely a 5% lead over the 14900K because of the similar limitation, with an 8% benefit over the regressive 285K. The 5800X3D ran at 457 FPS AVG, so a 7% achieve for the 9800X3D. The 14600K with its current rerun we ran landed it up alongside the 14700K (learn our review), with each encountering the identical bottleneck because the 13700K and the 7800X3D. Typically folks ask why a 13700K could possibly be higher than a 14700K. It isn’t: It’s simply that we will’t truly see unbound scaling, limiting the usefulness of this take a look at.
This sport has 0.1% low points with the i9 CPUs on account of their thread rely. We don’t take a look at neighborhood FPS mods, so it’s as much as the devs to repair this.
Effectivity Testing
We’ll now get into effectivity testing, then manufacturing benchmarks. This testing seems at CPU efficiency per Watt, usually offered as FPS/W for video games (which might be frames per joule). We’ll begin with MIPS/W for 7-Zip, although.
These assessments have a look at a easy formulation of the facility in Watts drawn versus the efficiency of the duty. Adjusting both of the 2 parameters has an influence on outcomes.
Effectivity: 7-Zip Compression
In 7-Zip compression, the 9800X3D computed to 1298 MIPS/W, or hundreds of thousands of directions per joule, placing it barely forward of the 5700X3D. The elevated energy consumption of the 9800X3D reduces its effectivity as in comparison with the decrease energy 9700X, at 81.6W to 98.4W. The 9700X scored 1389 MIPS/W.
The 9800X3D finally ends up comparatively environment friendly in compression, however much less environment friendly than the prior 7800X3D. The 7800X3D was not a better performer, however as a result of this can be a calculation of each energy and efficiency, both one might help to counterbalance a deficit within the different.
In the meantime, Intel’s 285K measured at 1051 MIPS/W, which is improved upon its prior effectivity efficiency within the 14900K, which was method down at 672 MIPS/W. That’s with the EPS12V and ATX12V line measured on the 285K. The AMD CPUs don’t pull from ATX12V in any significant method in our testing. The PCIe slot is remoted, as are followers and RGB LEDs. 5V from I/O can also be remoted. This implies there’s some overhead in ATX12V on Intel from the RAM and different small gadgets, however nowhere close to sufficient to meaningfully transfer that needle nearer to AMD.
Effectivity: 7-Zip Decompression
Decompression effectivity is up now.
On this one, the 9800X3D finally ends up at 1482 MIPS/W, just below the 5600X (which is benefitted by its 60W energy studying) and above the 7950X at 183W. The 7950X in ECO mode is extra environment friendly for its commerce outperformance, all the way down to 133W and now at 1936 MIPS/W. The 7950X3D boosts greater, principally as a result of its energy draw drops much more — now at 124W for 16 cores. The 7950X may be restricted to 124W and would obtain the same rating.
The 7800X3D is extra environment friendly than the 9800X3D on account of its decrease energy consumption, however its efficiency can also be decrease. The 9800X3D trades effectivity for extra boosting headroom. This advantages it within the gaming assessments we noticed earlier, regardless of costing extra energy.
Intel’s closest CPU is the 285K towards the underside of the chart, at 162W in the identical take a look at and 1194 MIPS/W.
Effectivity: Baldur’s Gate 3
Transferring on to video games, we’ll begin with Baldur’s Gate 3.
Baldur’s Gate 3 positions the 9800X3D as the brand new king of effectivity within the take a look at, with a 2.4 FPS/W end result that has it simply above the two.3 FPS/W results of the 7800X3D. The 7800X3D makes use of about 13W decrease energy as averaged, leading to a smaller hole than we’d in any other case see. The 9800X3D not less than maintains AMD’s development of X3D elements turning into new effectivity leaders in gaming.
Intel’s CPUs first seem with the 245K at 1.3 FPS/W. The 285K is under that, at 1.1 FPS/W, adopted by Intel’s final technology elements.
Effectivity: Starfield
Starfield effectivity is up now.
The 9800X3D is sort of on the prime, however not fairly. Its efficiency positive factors have been comparatively excessive on this sport, however the energy consumption elevated considerably. The 9800X3D averaged at 98.7W, with the 7800X3D at 69W. That is what leads the 7800X3D to a victory on this take a look at, regardless of the efficiency uplift. AMD has misplaced effectivity right here.
Intel’s CPUs first seem on the 285K, down at 1 FPS/W. The 14900K is at about 0.7 FPS/W.
Effectivity: Stellaris
Stellaris is one thing of a repeat of that: The 9800X3D pulled 54W on common, main it to a 2.6 simulations per Watt-hour rating. The 7800X3D ended up at 2.7, or a few 4% benefit in effectivity regardless of a discount in efficiency in comparison with the 9800X3D. The 12W decrease energy results in this discrepancy.
Intel’s closest half is the 245K at 1.9 simulations per Watt-hour, with the 285K at 1.5.
Effectivity: Closing Fantasy XIV
Closing Fantasy 14 is final for effectivity comparisons in gaming.
For this one, the 9800X3D ranked at 7 FPS/W, which has it under the 5700X3D (learn our review) and 7800X3D. The CPU pulls just below 54W on common, whereas the 7800X3D ran at about 43W and the 5700X3D ran at a powerful common of simply 39W. Regardless of greater efficiency, the upper energy ideas the size away from the intense effectivity we’ve seen in earlier X3D elements.
It’s nonetheless comparatively excessive within the ranks, above the whole lot Intel and above AMD’s non-X3D elements, but it surely’s clear that AMD favored a rise in energy for a rise in efficiency because it tries to steadiness between.
AMD 9800X3D Manufacturing Benchmarks
Manufacturing benchmarks are subsequent. These assessments have a look at a collection of functions exterior of gaming. The 9800X3D is finally a gaming CPU. Our non-gaming assessments don’t repeatedly present benefits for further cache.
Blender
Blender is up first for a 3D rendering move of our intro animation.
The 9800X3D accomplished the body render in 12.5 minutes, about tied with the Intel 245K (learn our review). Though we don’t suggest the half, the 245K is cheaper at $320. AMD’s 9800X3D manages to not less than outperform the 9700X, with an atypical render time discount of 16%. It’s atypical as a result of prior X3D elements don’t essentially see such positive factors, such because the 7800X3D at 15.9 minutes to the higher outcomes from each the 7700 (watch our review)and 7700X. The explanation for the atypical achieve is essentially the facility funds, the place the 9800X3D has extra energy accessible out-of-box to clock up.
The 13700K additionally requires much less time. The 9800X3D is improved, which is healthier than we’ve seen in previous X3D elements on this take a look at, however there are nonetheless much better performers and worth choices from Intel and AMD alike if functions much like this take a look at are your every day use case.
7-Zip Compression
7-Zip will be one of many extra delicate to cache, but it surely relies on whether or not it’s compression or decompression.
In compression testing, the 9800X3D accomplished 128K MIPS, which places it inside error of the 14600K and 13600K (watch our review). It not less than posts a 13% bounce over the extra power-constrained 9700X. The lead over the 7800X3D is analogous. 7950X3D (watch our review) efficiency is about the identical because the 7950X and inside about 1%.
Intel’s 285K has a big lead right here, up at 170K MIPS with DDR5-6000. The achieve in our DDR5-8600 take a look at was huge on this benchmark, placing it at almost 202K MIPS. The 9950X approaches that end result, which means an improve to its reminiscence as properly would leapfrog the 285K.
7-Zip Decompression
Decompression has the 9800X3D at 146K MIPS. It’s between the 12900K and 7700X (watch our review). The 9700X was regressive on this take a look at in opposition to each the 7700X and the extra like-for-like energy 7700.
The 9800X3D leads the 7800X3D by 10.2% and the 9700X by comparable.
Once more although, should you’re closely represented by this take a look at, you’d be higher off with a special CPU. The 16-core AMD CPUs lead this chart and set that instance. The 7950X has been under $500 currently, so it’d be a value comparable various to the 9800X3D that’s extra suited to this.
Chromium Compile
Chromium compile is up now.
The 9800X3D requires 130 minutes to finish the compile with our settings, placing it on the similar stage because the 14600K (learn our review) and Intel 245K. The 7900 non-X (learn our review)leads the 9800X3D right here and advantages from the additional threads.
The 9800X3D additionally advantages from an 18% discount in time requirement in opposition to the 7800X3D’s 160-minute end result. Likewise, it leads the 149-minute results of the 9700X. Nonetheless, the 12900K, 13700K (watch our review), and 285K are all advantaged over the 9800X3D, as are AMD’s personal 9950X and 9900X (learn our review)elements.
Adobe Premiere
Adobe Premiere testing is completed with the Puget Suite.
This testing lands the 9800X3D at 10,050 factors in mixture for the prolonged take a look at, which incorporates RAW, intraframe, and results efficiency. The result’s between the 13700K and 9900X above it and 12900K (watch our review) and 7900X under it.
The 9800X3D does truly enhance on each the 9700X and 7800X3D, although, each of that are round 9100 factors in mixture.
Intel’s 265K outperforms the 9800X3D by 6.6%, with the 7950X (watch our review) a bit above that. The 285K does impressively properly on this particular take a look at, with the 14900K alongside it.
Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop additionally makes use of the Puget Suite.
The 9800X3D does impressively properly on this benchmark, with its averaged rating touchdown forward of the 9950X (learn our review) and 9700X alike. The 7800X3D’s 10,162 level end result offers the 9800X3D a lead of 17%.
AMD does properly on this particular Photoshop take a look at proper now. Intel’s first CPUs present up method down the chart, at across the 7600X (watch our review)and 7900 ranges of efficiency with the 14900K and 14700K. The 285K does about the identical because the 13700K right here.
That is one the place the 9800X3D manages to spice up itself even in a non-gaming state of affairs, benefitted by the additional energy accessible for clock boosting as in comparison with the 9700X.
Worth Comparisons (USD/FPS)
This chart is an experiment. We don’t need you to put an excessive amount of usefulness on this specific chart as a result of it’s experimental, however we can also’t attempt new issues if we all the time attempt to excellent them first.
This chart exhibits the delta in USD per FPS at varied simulated costs for the 7800X3D. The 9800X3D is fastened at $480 in all of those simulations, with the 7800X3D variable primarily based on the quantity you see within the chart legend on the correct. A unfavorable worth implies that the 9800X3D is that quantity cheaper per FPS than the 7800X3D, whereas a optimistic worth means the 9800X3D is that quantity dearer per FPS than the 7800X3D.
At close to value parity, the 9800X3D has important worth benefits in Dragon’s Dogma 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, and even Phantom Liberty. Worth is functionally the identical in F1, Rainbow Six, and Closing Fantasy.
It isn’t till a $420 value for the 7800X3D that the Starfield worth positive factors are principally eradicated. At $400 7800X3D versus $480 9800X3D, the 7800X3D begins to make a ton of sense as a greater worth, assuming that’s the way you store.
Effectivity vs. Efficiency Change
That is additionally an experimental chart.
On this one, we’re displaying the p.c improve in energy consumption for the appliance within the left axis vs. the p.c improve in efficiency. The perfect end result could be a bigger efficiency improve than the facility improve by p.c, though linearity can also be good.
In Baldur’s Gate and Stellaris, with the latter transformed to simulations per hour in order that greater is healthier, the p.c efficiency improve is both improved or almost linear with the p.c energy improve. In Starfield, the efficiency improve prices a considerable energy improve. We noticed the identical in Phantom Liberty. These are our two most power-hungry video games within the suite and totally leverage the facility funds. 7-Zip additionally noticed this swing. Dawntrail is bottlenecked, so can’t reliably be used. Even restricted although, energy is greater.
AMD may be previous probably the most environment friendly level within the curve, however outcomes like Stellaris assist that it’s nonetheless comparatively balanced.
AMD 9800X3D Conclusion
Intel’s 285K was already lowered into its grave, however the 9800X3D simply contributed a major aqueous combination of hydroxide, chloride, potassium, and about 95% water onto it. After this impromptu hydrolysis response, there aren’t many compelling causes to select one up.
To recap some key factors rapidly:
The 9800X3D is unquestionably the brand new gaming king, and this time, it’s priced equally to the 7800X3D. The unique launch value of the 7800X3D was $450. Even at that value, the 9800X3D is a worthwhile enchancment and doesn’t really feel like stagnation.
There are some huge boosts to efficiency over the 7800X3D: Stellaris noticed the 9800X3D break by a glass ceiling and propel to new heights in opposition to the already-dominant 7800X3D; Starfield noticed a few 16% enchancment; Dragon’s Dogma 2 noticed a 16% uplift, additionally breaking by what appeared like a ceiling; Baldur’s Gate 3 had a 26-27% enchancment, which was such a giant swing that we re-ran the assessments on each CPUs, collected HWINFO logs throughout execution, and intently inspected the graphics to make sure equal renders. We additionally checked with one other reviewer who noticed a 17% uplift within the sport whereas testing in a special space and underneath completely different settings, which is shut sufficient when contemplating these adjustments.
Even with out that, the CPU is simply total aggressive in gaming.
For effectivity, the 9800X3D doesn’t handle to carry onto AMD’s multi-generation historical past of its new X3D CPU turning into probably the most environment friendly in our charts. The CPU remains to be good, and we’d nonetheless classify it as “environment friendly” total when contemplating the whole lot else on the charts.
Manufacturing isn’t as aggressive as different elements, so should you’re not constructing a gaming-first system, you must simply purchase a special CPU. But it surely’s ok for a mixture of work and high-end gaming, and likewise, it uncharacteristically improves upon the 9700X. We haven’t all the time seen this with X3D, as frequency is usually sacrificed for energy on account of the thermal limiters imposed by the warmth sandwich AMD beforehand had with the stack.
Intel isn’t wherever shut on the gaming charts. It isn’t solely crushed, its new 285K flagship — which is, for some utterly insane cause, $630 — is typically crushed by 40-60%. Usually, we’re seeing 25-35% when unbound by the GPU.
Intel does higher within the manufacturing benchmarks, however we nonetheless wouldn’t suggest the Extremely 200 collection broadly. The 9950X and 7950X stay aggressive, with the 14900K and 14700K additionally considerably aggressive right here. There are some very restricted use circumstances, such because the buzzworded “creation” situations, the place the 285K makes some sense. However Intel is advertising the 285K on effectivity, and AMD is extra environment friendly in each take a look at we’ve run.
All the previous couple of months have been wild: We watched AMD open it up with Zen 5, the place it drunkenly fumbled the soccer again 5 yards on the sector. Intel then picked up the ball and proceeded to run in the direction of its personal objective, at which level it tripped over its shoe laces that got here unglued. AMD then picked the ball up and walked it the remainder of the best way with the 9800X3D.
And someway, it labored. AMD was arrange for a slam dunk on this launch with each its personal and Intel’s fumbles, and by under-marketing the efficiency, it was able the place solely the value might screw the launch.
This launch was additionally probably the most organized out of the final a number of months, together with AMD’s personal Zen 5 launch. An organized launch is vital: With about 2 weeks of testing time quite than the few days we’ve had, plus a mature platform with out mid-testing reworks, it’s clear that AMD actually sat down and deliberate the launch quite than shoving it out the door in a panic to reply to one thing else. This provides us some extra confidence that there received’t be any sudden, main issues with points like BSODs or BIOS.
That’s it for the 9800X3D overview. You could have all of the numbers to make choices. The 7800X3D might make extra sense within the occasion its value falls considerably, however total and all issues totaled, we’re optimistic on this one.