• AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D is again in inventory after a woeful launch window
• The processor sells for $479 / £449 and affords main gaming efficiency
• It outclasses many pricier processors in gaming efficiency for the cash

Regardless of releasing again in November 2024, AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D has been tough to trace down within the US and the UK, and the few listings that had been obtainable had been sometimes above the MSRP of the high-end gaming CPU.

Nevertheless, it appears these inventory points have now been remedied, and the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is now extensively obtainable within the US from trusted retailers comparable to Amazon and Greatest Purchase for its unique MSRP of $479 / £449. Do not miss your probability to choose up the most effective processor for gaming obtainable below $500 when you can.

We beforehand reported that the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D was practically unimaginable to search out again in December 2024, and that remained the case all through Q1 2025, till now. Inventory woes had been so disappointing that we beforehand beneficial potential patrons take into account alternate options just like the previous-generation Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the Intel Core i9-14900K. Whereas stable choices, they can not fairly do what this second-generation AM5 chip can for avid gamers, particularly as Workforce Blue’s chip prices over $100 extra and was little greater than a light bump over over the 13900K.

We have cherished the Ryzen 7 9800X3D since we first examined it again in November 2024, giving it a near-perfect 4.5-star write-up, citing it as a “gaming powerhouse” and “the most effective gaming processor available on the market” regardless of an elevated value and energy draw in comparison with its previous-generation equal.

With its eight cores (16 threads) and 96MB of AMD’s 3D V-cache (L3 cache) stacked onto the chip, mixed with its 120W TDP, the 9800X3D boasts some unbelievable gaming efficiency even on par with a few of Intel’s highest-end chips whereas utilizing half the ability. Taking gaming averages into consideration, it runs rings across the Intel Core Extremely 9 285K and AMD Ryzen 7950X for price-to-performance that can’t be crushed. Merely put, that is the AM5 chip to get if you happen to’re critical about gaming.

The most effective CPU for gaming is lastly again in inventory, however for the way lengthy?

If you happen to’ve been eyeing up the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D for a while however could not discover one for MSRP then we strongly advise you to behave sooner somewhat than later to keep away from disappointment. The chipset was ephemeral at launch three months in the past and there is no assure it will grasp round on the sticker value for the foreseeable future.

For as a lot as we love the higher-end Ryzen 9950X3D that was launched final week, we’d nonetheless suggest that avid gamers go for the cheaper 9800X3D as a substitute. That is as a result of the main chip has diminishing returns for these wanting the most effective gaming efficiency attainable (particularly for the $220 / £250 value enhance). Whereas it has extra below the hood for creatives and workflow, its advantages are much less obvious even in demanding titles.

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