Derived by dividing the same multi-core score by recommended pricing, value, too, is okay given how much application and gaming performance is on offer. Conclusion Retail processors with a 65W TDP will come equipped with a default cooler in the box, which should be plenty, especially if you are using it for work, casual gaming, or internet browsing. However, for more power-hungry applications and advanced processors, such as the 3D V-Cache series, you’ll need to have a reliable and efficient cooler that can keep it performing at optimum temperatures. Whaddya know, some games favour lots of cache. Catapulting to the top of the charts in no uncertain fashion, X3D technology can work really well. This asymmetrical L3 layout has consequences for dual-CCD chips such as the Ryzen 9 7950X3D and 7900X3D. Putting the right workload on the right CCD is one extra complication of the design. In practise, users want a seamless method of putting cache-heavy workloads – gaming being a prime example – on the 96MB L3 cache-infused CCD and small-footprint code on the regular CCD. It so happens AMD has an answer for this. After traditional levers have been twiddled and optimised to the nth degree, out-the-box thinking is required to increase performance without resorting to the age-old, sledgehammer technique of slamming as much power through the best CPU as possible. AMD believes it has uncovered a gem in X3D technology. First seen on Ryzen 7 5800X3D, the latest 7000 Series range is receiving cache-enriched upgrades to not one but three processors. Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Ryzen 9 7900X3D stride forward today, with Ryzen 7 7800X3D arriving April 6.

AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X3D Gaming Processor | AMD AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X3D Gaming Processor | AMD

This graph is helpful in pushing up efficiency; do recall 7950X3D ships with a 120W TDP. Like 7950X regular, we believe AMD ought to have let it run mostly free of wattage constraints – a 170W TDP 7950X3D would certainly benchmark that little bit better… but then what would be the point of 7950X regular? Decisions, decisions.Additional charges may apply if you live in the Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland, or the Channel Islands. Extracting more performance from CPUs is an inherently complicated business. Increasing frequency burns power, going architecturally wider burns die size, jumping down successive manufacturing nodes is damn expensive. Who’d be a CPU lead architect? New problems arise faster than extant ones are solved. Fundamental limitations ought to encroach on step-change improvements from one generation to the next, yet AMD and Intel continue to deliver in spades. Today’s best Ryzen 9 and Core i9 chips smash predecessors from merely three years’ ago. In Darth’s seminal words, ‘impressive, most impressive.’ The AMD Ryzen 7000 Series has been optimised for gaming and streaming alike, promising to deliver ultra-fast speeds and powerful performance. To fully utilise the incredible benefits offered by these processors, you need a reliable and efficient CPU cooler to match.

AMD Ryzen 7000 Series Desktop PC Processors | SCAN UK AMD Ryzen 7000 Series Desktop PC Processors | SCAN UK

Our Services Delivery Information Warranty Information Terms & Conditions WEEE Policy Finance Options Business & Education There are hundreds of different cooling options for the AMD Ryzen 7000 Series, ranging from air CPU coolers, AiOs, to complete water-cooling systems. What you choose all depends on your individual preferences and needs. Though the focus ought to rightfully be on gaming performance first and foremost, let’s remember this is a 16-core, 32-thread chip empowered with the full might of the Zen 4 architecture. Benchmark chops are healthy as a result, and the main reason it’s slower than, say, a Ryzen 9 7950X rests mostly with a lower power budget and final speed. Logs reveal the chip pushing past 5.6GHz when under light load. Put all cores to work and 7950X3D averages around 4.9GHz, but that only tells half the story. Our testing shows the standard CCD to push past 5GHz whilst the cache-enhanced CCD meters effort to 4.8GHz. If you are using your PC for light gaming, internet browsing, or watching YouTube, you won’t need a hefty custom water-cooling system. An air CPU cooler will be plenty. However, if you’re looking to enjoy the latest AAA titles, want to start streaming, or run more intensive applications, you will need powerful cooling in the form of an AiO or custom water-cooled loop.Not the start we had expected. After numerous runs, we couldn’t get 7950X3D past the scores recorded by single-CCD 5800X3D. Multiple Intel chips are faster, too, and perusing AMD’s supporting documentation shows X3D a fair bit slower than rival Intel Core i9-13900KS.

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D Hardware Bundle - Scan AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D Hardware Bundle - Scan

You won’t be able to split the first dozen processors when playing this game, but it sure feels good knowing you have the best CPU for the job. Internal components and lighting are entirely dependent on the specification of the components selected and may not be as displayed. The first part is a 3D V-Cache performance optimiser driver that’s included in chipset software 5.01.03.005 or newer. According to AMD, ‘the driver evaluates the performance in real time and dynamically modifies the preferred cores seen by Windows based on workload preference for the 3D V-Cache CCX or the standard die.’ Run automatically for best performance, behaviour can be overridden by the user for manual tinkering. Looking into further games reveals 7950X3D doesn’t have the benchmark wow factor of 5800X3D. That’s because Intel’s latest Raptor Lake architecture has moved the gaming needle to the right, limiting X3D’s comparative gains.No responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information. The listed offers do not constitute legally binding advertising claims of the merchants. System scores are middling more than impressive, as these synthetic tests rely heavily on peak frequency. Surely it’s real games that count… Gaming Having a 120W/142W TDP/PPT means Ryzen 9 7950X3D fits into a wider range of motherboards, and even B-series offerings have enough electrical prowess to manage the load easily. Restrained power usually means there’s a cooler in the box, but AMD limits such opportunities to 65W models and below. Performance We’re curious as to why AMD restrained power so much when a 170W TDP and associated 220W PPT is fine for 7950X. Is it really a case of ensuring an extra 64MB of L3 cache doesn’t overheat, or is there something more sinister going on? Putting our conjecturing hat on, equipping X3D with the standard 170W TDP would make regular 7950X redundant. Product positioning and all that. Performance is in line with expectations of a 120W part, though there’s no escaping the fact regular 170W 7950X is the superior chip for demanding multi-threaded work.

AMD 7000-Series Ryzen 9 Custom PC Builder - Cyberpower UK AMD 7000-Series Ryzen 9 Custom PC Builder - Cyberpower UK

Another solid set of results. Zen 4 has previously shown good aptitude when running at lower wattages; 7950X3D carries on the good work. You need to protect yourself and the computers you use. But you don’t want to be slowed down or interrupted when you’re gaming online. Hefty performance requires ample cooling. The more advanced your chosen processor is, the higher the TDP will be. TDP stands for ‘Thermal Design Power’ and refers to the maximum amount of heat generated.

No surprises in the memory department. The regular AIDA test doesn’t readily differentiate between CCDs so we can’t calculate the extra latency of hopping on over to X3D.