AMD Ryzen 7800X3D Vs. 7900X3D: What’s the Difference?

AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology has been hailed as one of the best features to have if you’re building a gaming PC. With their 7000-series chips, AMD expanded this technology to 3 separate models: the 7800X3D (the 5800X3D’s successor), the 7900X3D, and the 7950X3D. Today, we’ll compare the two most popular chips: the 7800X3D and 7900X3D.

Here’s a spec sheet for those interested in the nitty-gritty details:

As expected, the 7900X3D clean sweeps the 7800X3D on paper, boasting improved specs in every category while maintaining the same TDP as the lower-end chip.

At launch, the 7900X3D would run you a hot $599 USD, and the 7800X3D $549 USD - a $150 USD delta. As the 7000 generation starts to become overshadowed by the 9000-series chips, AMD has been reducing the prices of their previous-gen chips. Today, the 7900X3D will cost you $499 USD, and the 7800X $399 USD, bringing the price gap down to $100 USD.

As expected, the 7900X3D outperforms the 7800X3D in most multi-threaded tasks like video rendering, but as a CPU intended for gaming PC builds, it would be a shame not to discuss gaming performance—this is where things get weird.

The concept of 3D V-Cache is simple: slap a bunch of extra cache on top of the CPU die so the chip has faster access to more data during time-intensive tasks like frame processing. On the 7800X3D, this upgrade is simple enough - all 8 cores benefit from the extra cache, and you’ll see improved 8-core gaming performance.

However, the 7900X3D is divided into two chipsets, each with 6 cores, and the 3D V-Cache only affects one chipset. What this means is that your gaming performance will actually suffer as only 6 cores are getting the benefit of the extra cache - so while the 7900X3D may have more cache on paper, it doesn't really affect the chip’s performance.

It really comes down to your budget and what you plan to do with your computer - obviously, budget always comes first. Still, beyond that, users who solely plan on gaming (but could afford the more expensive 7900X3D) would be better off buying the 7800X3D for pure gaming performance.

However, if you do some multi-threaded tasks as well, like rendering or science simulation work, while also gaming here and there, the 7900X3D might be a justifiable cost, providing you with a 50% higher core count. Just make sure to grab a cooler. Any of the CORSAIR AIOs or our A115 Air Cooler will easily be up to the task.