Why the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is a Big Deal for Gamers
The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is widely regarded as the best CPU you can buy for gaming right now. It delivers excellent performance in modern titles, while still being a strong all round processor for everyday tasks, streaming, and content creation.
On paper, it is an 8 core, 16 thread chip with boost clocks up to 5.2 GHz and a huge 96 MB of L3 cache. That extra cache is what gives AMD 3D V Cache processors their edge in games, helping to improve frame rates and reduce stutters in CPU bound scenarios.
The good news is that this top tier gaming chip is currently as cheap as it has ever been at several major UK retailers, making it an especially tempting upgrade if you are looking to build or refresh a high end gaming rig.
However, before you rush to buy one, there are a few important compatibility and platform points you need to understand. The 9800X3D is not a simple plug and play upgrade for every system.
What You Need for a Ryzen 7 9800X3D Upgrade
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D only works with AMD’s latest AM5 platform. That means your current motherboard must have an AM5 socket, also known as Socket AM5 LGA 1718. If you are not sure what you have, there is an easy way to check.
Download the free tool CPU Z and launch it. On the CPU tab, look for the field labeled Package. If it does not say Socket AM5 then your current motherboard will not support the 9800X3D and you will need to buy a new AM5 board.
Along with the socket change, AMD’s latest desktop CPUs rely on DDR5 memory only. There is no DDR4 support on AM5. So you also need to check what memory your current system is using. CPU Z can help again. Switch to the Memory tab and look at the Type field. If it says DDR4, then you will have to factor in the cost of a new DDR5 kit as part of your upgrade.
Right now DDR5 pricing is not as friendly as it once was. For a basic 16 GB kit you are looking at around £120. For a modern gaming build many players will prefer 32 GB, which pushes the cost up further. When planning your upgrade, make sure you budget for the CPU, motherboard, and DDR5 memory together, rather than just focusing on the processor itself.
If you are already on AM5 with DDR5, things are much easier. In that case, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D becomes a straightforward drop in upgrade, as long as your motherboard firmware is up to date. Before you install the chip, visit your motherboard manufacturer’s support page and download the latest BIOS or UEFI version that lists support for the Ryzen 9000 series or specifically the 9800X3D. Flash that first, then install the new processor.
Power, Cooling and Real World Considerations
One important difference between the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and many older budget CPUs is power draw. The 9800X3D is rated for up to 120 W and can sometimes go a bit beyond that depending on motherboard settings. In real gaming workloads it usually pulls less, but it will almost certainly use more power than an older quad core or six core chip such as a Ryzen 5 5500.
That extra power means extra heat, and that brings us to cooling. If you are upgrading from an older low power CPU and using a basic stock cooler, it may not be enough for the 9800X3D, especially if you care about noise levels and sustained boost clocks.
The good news is you do not have to spend a fortune to cool this chip properly. There are some surprisingly affordable options:
- Liquid cooling: MSI’s Coreliquid A13 360 mm AIO is available for around £59. A 360 mm radiator gives you plenty of thermal headroom and can help keep fan speeds down while gaming.
- Air cooling: If you prefer a simpler setup, the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE is an excellent budget air cooler at roughly £36. It is more than capable of handling a 120 W class CPU without screaming fans.
When planning your build, double check that your case has room for a 360 mm radiator if you go the AIO route, or enough clearance for a tall tower cooler if you pick the Phantom Spirit or something similar.
Also keep in mind your power supply. While the CPU itself will not push most modern PSUs to their limit, a high end gaming system with a powerful GPU plus a 9800X3D can easily justify a quality 650 W or 750 W unit. If you are still on an older low wattage or generic PSU, this might be the right time to upgrade that as well.
Once everything is installed, make sure your motherboard is set to the latest BIOS and that memory profiles such as EXPO or XMP are enabled so your DDR5 runs at its rated speed. This helps the 9800X3D stretch its legs in games.
Right now many retailers and Amazon in particular are running aggressive promotions on gaming CPUs, including the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. If you are building a new PC or looking to jump from an older platform, it is one of the strongest value to performance buys in high end gaming. Just remember to look beyond the CPU price and plan the full platform: AM5 motherboard, DDR5 memory, suitable cooling, and a solid power supply.
If you handle those details, you will end up with a gaming rig built around what is currently the best gaming CPU on the market, ready for high frame rates in today’s and tomorrow’s titles.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/processors/amds-ryzen-7-9800x3d-is-now-down-to-gbp390-this-black-friday-making-the-champion-of-all-gaming-cpus-the-cheapest-its-ever-been/
