Ryzen 7 5800X3D Gaming Processor: AMD’s Gold Finish for the AM4 Platform

AMD has released the Ryzen 7 5800X3D desktop processor as probably the latest high-end model for the AM4 platform. It uses a stacked SRAM chip (3D V-Cache), which triples the level 3 cache from 32 to 96 MB and thus reduces the comparatively slow access to DDR4 memory.

This is especially beneficial for games that are often sensitive to latency and therefore benefit the most from the large level 3 cache. As a result, AMD markets the Ryzen 7 5800X3D explicitly as a gaming processor; the benchmarks confirm this, but those interested should also take a few points into account.

Like the Ryzen 7 5800X, the X3D version uses eight CPU cores with Zen 3 architecture. However, AMD lowers the maximum boost clock frequency from 4.7 to 4.5 GHz, and the maximum CPU voltage drops from over 1.5 volts to 1.35 volts. This improves temperature development, which can be critical, especially with stacked chips. This gives AMD a buffer to gain experience with 3D V-Cache without risking a high defect rate.

when i play huh

Games generally don’t care about clock deficits. In the worst case they work almost as well on a Ryzen 7 5800X3D as on a Ryzen 7 5800X, but in most cases the X3D version puts more frames per second on the screen. The advantage ranged from 7 percent in the shooter “Metro Exodus” to 22 percent in the action-adventure “Shadow of the Tomb Raider.” There are outliers down and clear up: AMD indicates a 15 percent performance advantage on average.

This puts the Ryzen 9 5800X3D roughly on par with Intel’s top desktop model, the Core i9-12900KS, a select but very expensive version of the Core i9-12900K. In one game the AMD processor is ahead, in the other the Intel CPU – you should rarely notice a difference with such small differences.

… and efficient

However, you could notice the efficiency, because the Ryzen 9 5800X3D is much cheaper than the Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS: Under full CPU load with Cinebench R23 rendering benchmark, our test system with Ryzen 7 5800X3D on the MSI MAG B550M Mortar motherboard with 16GB DDR4-3200 RAM and a GeForce GT 1030 for 156W image output: Test systems with Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900K (each on a MSI Pro Z690-A Wi-Fi and 16 GB DDR5-4800, without graphics card) managed significantly more than 300 watts. As a result, Intel systems heat up the room faster, which is especially annoying in the summer.

Nominally, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D has the same Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 105 Watts as the Ryzen 7 5800X and Ryzen 9 processors, resulting in a real power limit of 142 Watts, but in practice the CPU is irritating due to the lower CPU voltage, however, does not exceed this power limit as much as the sister models. A strong CPU cooler is still recommended as the Ryzen 7 5800X3D likes to get hot at certain points.

Too bad: AMD prohibits all interventions in the power limit and voltage curve of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, so undervolting and eco mode with a TDP of 65 watts do not work with official tools either.