5 Disadvantages of AMD X3D Processors You Should Know About

AMD’s X3D processors are some of the best processors for anyone looking to build a gaming computer. This is largely due to the 3D V-Cache design which gives it more L3 cache than other Ryzen chips. This extra cache can increase frame rates, especially in games where faster access to commonly used data makes a difference. But they have certain disadvantages.

This also means that, if you want to use your PC for other tasks, you’ll need to consider more than raw gaming performance when choosing between an Intel and AMD processor. Depending on the model, X3D processors can be significantly more expensive than a standard processor, and not all games benefit from this extra cache. Sometimes moving that extra money to something else can have a bigger impact.

Ultimately, none of these drawbacks mean that X3D processors are bad choices, as in many situations they are the best option available. However, due to the higher price, the benefits vary greatly. Before paying more for 3D V-Cache, it is worth understanding the downsides of this technology.

One of the main drawbacks of an X3D processor is the extra price you pay for it. Since they use 3D V-Cache technology, these models generally cost more than Ryzen versions or even Intel chips with similar performance. For example, the Ryzen 7 7700 costs around $229 and has a similar benchmark score to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, which costs $299 (via CPU Benchmark).

However, in many cases, spending more does not translate into better performance. For gaming at 1440p or 4K for example, the graphics card is one of the biggest bottlenecks in PC configurations. In this case, you’re better off investing in a cheaper CPU and using the difference to get a better graphics card, as this change will likely have a greater impact on FPS.

For this reason, a Ryzen There are other ways to get more significant improvements in desktop performance before considering one of these processors.

3D V-Cache is one of the main reasons for the success of this line of Ryzen X3D processors, but not all games really need this extra cache. “Baldur’s Gate 3,” for example, greatly favors these chips, especially in more CPU-intensive areas, like the titular city in the third act. In these cases, L3 cache helps keep data closer to the cores.

For this reason, it is worth looking at the benchmarks of the games you want to play and understand if they benefit from this additional feature. Unlike “Baldur’s Gate 3”, “Total War: Warhammer 3” does not offer a very significant gain, since the performance on several Ryzen processors is very similar (via Tom’s Hardware).

Even so, choosing an X3D processor does not limit the other components that must be in the computer. For example, it is possible to pair an Nvidia graphics card with an AMD processor without significant incompatibility between brands. This allows you to build a machine with Ryzen X3D and GeForce RTX, but the benefit of the extra cache will still depend on how each game uses the CPU.

Several Ryzen X3D models have only eight cores and 16 threads. This isn’t a problem for most games, but it can reduce performance in heavier tasks, especially those that require multiple cores at the same time. For example, 3D rendering, video editing and several professional workloads benefit from more cores.

In these cases, processors like an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K can handle the job faster, even without 3D V-Cache. AMD itself offers alternatives with more cores within the Ryzen

So, for anyone planning to use the same desktop for gaming and other demanding tasks, a Ryzen X3D with additional cores would be necessary. However, you can always ditch the 3D V-Cache and look at other AMD or Intel processors that offer more cores.

Another major drawback of the Ryzen X3D chips is that not all cores receive 3D V-Cache, especially in the 9900X3D and 9950X3D models. These processors use two CCDs, but only one has additional cache. The others operate with less local cache and can reach higher frequencies, creating an internal divide where different tasks tend to perform better on different chipsets.

In practice, this difference mainly matters in latency- and cache-sensitive games, because running on the CCD without 3D V-Cache leaves less data available locally to the cores. This can increase the need to retrieve information from memory or from the other chiplet, reducing performance, while tasks such as rendering and editing generally make better use of all available cores.

AMD tries to get around this gaming limitation by using Windows Game Mode and Prime Parking to keep the game on the CCD with 3D V-Cache. However, anyone who doesn’t want to deal with this can save money on their next PC by purchasing a processor with fewer cores, such as multiple Ryzen 7 X3D chips or an Intel chip.

Anyone considering purchasing an older X3D and improving performance through overclocking should consider a limitation of these processors. In the Ryzen 7 5800X3D and Ryzen 7000X3D, the stacked cache sat on top of the compute chip, making heat dissipation more difficult. This forces AMD users to work with more conservative voltage limits and manual adjustments.

In practice, several Ryzen X3D models are less interesting for anyone wanting to overclock. The 5800X3D, for example, doesn’t offer traditional overclocking via the multiplier, while the Ryzen 7000X3D allows for features like Precision Boost Overdrive and Curve Optimizer. Therefore, anyone who wants to use one of these chips to save money should be aware that the tuning possibilities are less than those of some of the most powerful desktop processors.

This limitation changed with the second generation of 3D V-Cache used in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which placed the cache under the cores and improved their contact with the cooler. The chip is also officially unlocked for overclocking.