AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Review: Zen 5's minor X3D refresh reigns as best gaming CPU while keeping Core Ultra 200S Plus at bay

[Redaktion]

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is better-binned variant of the already excellent Ryzen 7 9800X3D with marginally higher boosts and a $20 premium. While the Ryzen 7 9850X3D tops the charts in gaming, it faces a stiff challenge from Intel's new Arrow Lake-S Refresh CPUs that offer vastly superior multi-core performance and good-enough 4K gaming for a lot less dough.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Ryzen-7-9850X3D-Review-Zen-5-s-minor-X3D-refresh-reigns-as-best-gaming-CPU-while-keeping-Core-Ultra-200S-Plus-at-bay.1262944.0.html

[Zen 6 in 1440p +20%+?]

QHD and 4K Gaming Performance rating - Percent

^ The only really relevant test, as this's a gaming CPU after all. And there is no improvement even in 1440p (as seen from other' reviews, because your table doesn't differentiate between 1440p and 4K), let alone in 4K. Of course, this was very predictable, so why did AMD even release this CPU, only they know (I don't even want to know). Let's see if Zen 6 will give at least a 20% performance improvement in 1440p, then I might upgrade from my 7800X3D. And who buys this CPU for 1080p gaming.

Why not use more GPU-bound games or is it because then this CPU would look even worse?

The Ryzen 7 9850X3D performs poorly in 3DMark Time Spy and Fire Strike graphics tests. We've noticed this anomalous behavior previously with the Ryzen 9 9950X3D as well.
In fact, both CPUs post similar numbers in these benchmarks.

Weird.

However, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D offers little differentiation from the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and isn't a compelling upgrade even for Ryzen 7 7800X3D owners.

Knew it the moment this CPU was announced. A 7.69 % (nice) higher boost clock doesn't lead to a 7.69 % performance improvement, especially where most want to play at nowadays: 1440p or higher (news over a year ago: 1440p is the new 1080p).

[6% non-x3d, x3d $1000]

Why not use more GPU-bound games or is it because then this CPU would look even worse?

The whole point of a cpu test is to show and make it as clear as possible just how large of a bottleneck the cpu can be in the most extreme circumstances.

What you're suggesting or testing higher resolutions would do the complete opposite and not make it as clear.

There are people gaming at 4k in GPU heavy games just fine even at 30-60 FPS on zen 1. At that point why even upgrade?

Keep in mind the purpose of AMD and the media reviewer companies they collaborate with is to force you to feel like you need to upgrade every year.

Let's see if Zen 6 will

I've no doubt it'll... for like double the price. :p If you're on a 7800x3d I don't think there's any real need for you to upgrade until 2029-2030 or zen 7 x3d.

[trivik12]

I think Zen 6 x3D vs Nova Lake bLLC is the next fight. I hope both of them tangibly improve 1T performance and efficiency as well. For now x86 is a laggard.