AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Unboxing Review: Small Frequency Upgrade, Still the Best Gaming CPU!

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D (R7 9850X3D) is one of the few updates from AMD at CES 2026 this year. AMD has only released the second-generation AMD 3D V-Cache this year, with a core count of 8 cores and 16 threads of AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, which will be available in the ASRock X870E Taichi OCF The motherboard was tested with the RTX 4080 and also included the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 和 Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Two consumer flagship processors are compared for gaming performance.

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Unboxing Review｜Specifications and Upscaling Highlights

The new AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D CPU is not much different from the current market's most powerful and preferred gaming processor, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, with the same Granite Ridge Zen 5 architecture, 2nd Gen AMD V-Cache design, 8-core 16-thread specification, but the processor's single-core boot frequency can reach up to 5.6 GHz. Cores and Threads are also 8 cores and 16 threads, but the processor's single-core boot frequency can reach up to 5.6 GHz, which can be regarded as the official overclocking version of the 9800X3D, or the Ryzen 9 9950X3D Castrated processor.

At CES, AMD took the Ryzen 7 9850X3D and Ryzen 7 9800X3D and compared them to the competition. Intel Core Ultra 9 285K For benchmark gaming performance, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D averages more than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K There is a performance gain of 27%.

△ AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor specifications.

△ Current AMD Ryzen 9000 series processor specifications.

△Contrast Intel Core Ultra 9 285K of the game's performance gap.

△ The performance gap between the three types of games.

 

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is an 8-core, 16-threaded device with a 96 MB L3 cache, 8 MB L2 cache, TSMC 4nm FinFET process, TSMC 6nm FinFET process for the I/O die, and a maximum operating temperature (Tjmax) of 95°C. The maximum frequency is 5.6 GHz.

△ AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D still uses AMD AM5 LGA 1718 footers.

The maximum frequency of AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is 5.6 GHz, which is higher than the 5.2 GHz of Ryzen 7 9800X3D.

 

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Test Platform with BIOS and Memory Setting Description

In addition to testing the performance of the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, we have also included the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D in the test. AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 和 Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Two consumer flagship processors were compared for gaming performance, and the motherboards were ASRock X870E Taichi OCF The BIOS has been updated to version 2.01.AS03[Beta], and the memory has been updated to version 2.01.AS03[Beta], and the memory has been updated to version 2.01.AS03[Beta]. Origin code vortex DDR5 48 GB (24 GBx2) And open EXPO Profile 2:8000 MT/s CL36-47-47-108 1.45V, the graphics card is with NVIDIA RTX 4080, I would like to test with 5090 / 5080.

AMD Testing Platform

Processor:AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D / AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D
Motherboard:ASRock X870E Taichi OCF (BIOS version: 2.01.AS03[Beta] )
Memory:Origin code vortex DDR5 48 GB (24 GBx2) 8000 MT/s CL36-47-47-108 1.45V
Cooler: LIAN LI GA II Trinity SL-INF 360 (full speed)
Thermal paste: Cooler Master MASTERGEL MAKER 40g (thermal conductivity 11W/mK)
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Founders Edition
Power supply:FSP Hydro PTM PRO ATX3.0 (PCIe5.0) 1200W
Case: STREACOM BC1 Benchtable V2
Graphics driver: GeForce Game Ready 591.74

Intel Test Platform

Processor:Intel Core Ultra 9 285K QS
Motherboard:GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS TACHYON ICE(BIOS version: F5)
Memory:Origin code vortex DDR5 48 GB (24 GBx2) 8000 MT/s CL36-47-47-108 1.45V
Cooler: Valkyrie E360 (full speed)
Thermal paste: Cooler Master MASTERGEL MAKER 40g (thermal conductivity 11W/mK)
Water cooling fan: 3X XPG VENTO PRO 120 PWM (full speed)
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Founders Edition
Power supply:MONTECH TITAN PLA 1000W
Case: STREACOM BC1 Benchtable V2
Graphics driver: GeForce Game Ready 591.74

 

For the platform BIOS setting, only the memory Profile 2 is manually turned on, the other settings are kept as default Auto, and the cooler is manually set to run at full speed with the PUMP and fan. In order to avoid any problems, you must update to the latest version of the motherboard BIOS, download the latest version of the AMD chipset driver from the official website of the motherboard, and extract the AMD chipset driver to install the relevant drivers. chipset driver and extract the AMD chipset driver to install the related driver.

△ The BIOS overclocking related settings only enable Profile.

Download the latest version of AMD chipset driver from the motherboard website.

 

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Computing and Rendering Performance Test｜CPU Scores

firstly CPU-Z Viewing the hardware information of the test platform, AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor has 8 cores and 16 threads, series code name is Granite Ridge using TSMC 4nm FinFET process, motherboard uses ASRock X870E Taichi OCF supporting PCI-E 5.0 lanes, and the BIOS is 2.01. AS03[Beta] version.

We also ran the CPU-Z internal tests for your reference.

CPU-Z platform information at a glance.

△ CPU-Z internal test score results.

 

AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark It is mainly used to test the performance of processor caches and RAM. The read/write/copy bandwidth performance score represents the rate of transfer between CPU and memory, which means the efficiency of data throughput (the higher the score, the better), and the time delay score of accessing data indicates the responsiveness of the memory system.

Tested with Memory Profile 2 open on this motherboard, read speeds were 62.3 GB/s, write speeds were 82.5 GB/s, copy speeds were 57.9 GB/s, and latency was 77.1 ns.

△ AIDA64 cache and memory test.

△ AIDA64 GPGPU Benchmark.

 

by Maxon Cinebench An industry-standard benchmarking software, Cinebench 2026 tests GPU and CPU performance using Maxon's powerful Redshift rendering engine.

The new version of Cinebench 2026 adds a test for evaluating the performance of SMT-enabled CPU cores, which means that it is now possible to test: GPU, processor full-core, processor single-core, and processor single-thread performance.

Based on the latest Cinema 4D 2026 and Redshift code, and using the updated Clang V19 compiler, the benchmarking accuracy of contemporary and next-generation processors has been improved to test whether the equipment is stable under high loads, whether the thermal solutions of the desktop or laptop are sufficient to cope with the demands of long-term operation in order to maximize the potential of the CPU, and whether the machine is capable of handling demanding 3D tasks. and whether the machine is capable of handling demanding 3D tasks.

△ Cinebench 2024.

△ Cinebench 2026.

 

PCMark 10 It also simulates test scenarios to determine the overall performance of the computer. The common basic functions include application launching, web browsing, and video conferencing tests, while productivity simulates document and spreadsheet writing, and the last item, video content creation, includes professional tests such as photo editing, video editing, and rendering.

△ PCMark 10 test.

 

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D 3DMark Score Test｜CPU Gaming Performance Indicator

Next up, the 3DMark series, one of the most benchmarks for gaming scores, was used to compare the theoretical results of the same graphics platform with different processors through a series of tests with different picture quality and different GPU APIs.

3DMark CPU Profile This test will test the performance of MAX, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1 threads respectively, while the performance of 16 threads and above is more for 3D rendering or audio/video professional work, and most of the mainstream DirectX 12 game performance can refer to the score of 8 threads, while the score of 4 and 2 threads are related to the old games developed with DirectX 9.

△ 3DMark CPU Profile.

 

In addition, the author has also used the commonly used game performance simulation test 3DMark Fire Strike、3DMark Time SpyThe two programs are Fire Strike, which represents the 1080p quality DirectX11 GPU API situational game simulation test, and Time Spy, which represents the 1440p quality DirectX 12 GPU API situational game simulation test.

△ 3DMark Fire Strike.

△ 3DMark Time Spy.

 

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D MMORPG Game Performance Test｜FF14, WILDERNESS OF THE MONSTERS

MMORPG Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game has chosen theFF14_Final Fantasy XIV_ and _Final Fantasy XIV_ and _Final Fantasy XIV_ and _Final Fantasy XIV_.Monster Hunter WildernessMonster Hunter Wilds" two popular games for performance testing, and use their respective "FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail Official Benchmark" and "Monster Hunter Wilds Benchmark" official performance test tool for the scores, and will be The settings related to texture quality were set to the "highest" settings in the game, and the resolution was set to Full HD 1920×1080.

The first is the "The Race to the Top", which is due to be launched in about 2024.FF14 Golden Legacy_FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail Official Benchmark", with the texture quality set to "Highest Quality" and NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) enabled.

△ TheFF14 Golden Legacy_FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail Official Benchmark_.

 

The second paragraph of theMonster Hunter WildernessMonster Hunter Wilds Benchmark is a PC performance test software released in 2025, with a preset combination of "Very High" for picture quality, NVIDIA DLSS for upscaling (ultra-resolution technology), frame generation on, and "High" for light tracking.

△ AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D_《Monster Hunter Wilderness_Monster Hunter Wilds Benchmark_.

△ AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D_TheMonster Hunter Wilderness_Monster Hunter Wilds Benchmark_.

△ Intel Core Ultra 9 285K_《Monster Hunter Wilderness_Monster Hunter Wilds Benchmark_.

 

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D FPS Gaming Performance Test｜Overwatch 2, R6, Apex

Three iconic games have been selected for testing in the FPS gaming category.Battle Attack 2_Overwatch 2, _Rainbow Six: Siege X_Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege X, and theApex LegendsThe APEX is set to the "highest" setting in the game, and the APEX is set to the maximum frame rate of 144 fps by default, so manually input the code to the maximum of 300 fps.

With a standardized resolution of Full HD 1920×1080 to allow for side-by-side comparisons of processor performance under stress, average (AVG) fps and 1% Low fps were collected through NVIDIA GeForce's free FrameView software.

《Rainbow Six: Siege XTom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege X: NVIDIA DLSS Quality, NVIDIA Reflex Open + Enhanced, Overall Quality_Super High
《Apex Legends": DirectX 12, NVIDIA Reflex Enablement + Enhancements, TEXTURE STREAMING BUDGET_ENGINEERED (8GB VRAM)
《Battle Attack 2_Overwatch 2: DirectX 11, NVIDIA Reflex Open+Boost, NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution_Quality

Of the three FPS-type gaming games, the other two are all about collecting frames on the range, except for Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege X, which has a built-in performance test.

• Average fps: Record the number of frames generated during a test play session and divide by the total recording time to get the average value.
• 1% Low fpsThe 1% part of the frame value that represents the longest frame generation time (Frametime) during the test is calculated as the average value, the closer the value is to the measured average fps, it means that the game does not have a significant frame drop problem, in other words 1% Low fps is the fluctuation of the low frame rate.

△ Three FPS-type gaming tests: highest texture effects, FHD 1080×1920 resolution.

 

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D AAA Gaming Performance Measurement｜10 3A Games Frame Rate Performance

To test the AAA genre, which emphasizes on the experience of graphic performance and storytelling, the author chose to play "The Battle of the Birds", which is the first game in the AAA genre.Fascination of the human-machine network_PRAGMATA SKETCHBOOK - DEMO_, theGhosts of Tsushima Warriors_Ghost of Tsushima》、《Electric Renegade 2077_Cyberpunk 2077, TheBrothers of the Four Seas: The Definitive Edition_Mafia: Definitive Edition, theHorizon: The Western Sanctuary_ Horizon Forbidden West, _The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt_The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, TheKurokami Dialog: Goku_Black Myth: Wukong, TheWatch Dogs: Freedom Corps_Watch Dogs: Legion, TheHowl of War 6_Far Cry 6, _Assassin's Creed: Illusions_Assassin's Creed Mirage" and ten other 3A masterpieces are tested in the game.

《Fascination of the human-machine network_PRAGMATA SKETCHBOOK - DEMO": optical tracking, NVIDIA DLSS HD, frame generation _DLSS
《Ghosts of Tsushima Warriors_Ghost of Tsushima": Preset_Very High, Boost_Method_DLSS, Boost_Quality, Shadowframe Generation_DLSS Shadowframe Generation
《Cyberpunk 2077DLSS：DLSS Super Resolution Preset_Quality / Transformer Model, DLSS Frame Generation On, Texture Quality_High, Light Tracing_Crazy
《Brothers of the Four Seas: The Definitive Edition_Mafia: Definitive Edition: Overall Quality Preset_Best
《Horizon: The Western Sanctuary_Horizon Forbidden West: DLSS quality, DLSS frame generation on, preset_ very high
《The Witcher 3: Wild HuntThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: DirectX 12, Default Image_Light Following: Extreme, DLSS Quality, DLSS Frame Generation_On
《Kurokami Dialog: GokuBlack Myth: Wukong: DLSS Quality, Frame Generator_On, Panoramic Light Tracking_On/Ultra-High, Quality Level_Video Level
《Watch Dogs: Freedom Corps_Watch Dogs: Legion: DirectX 12, Screen Quality_Maximum, Light Trace Reflections_Maximum, DLSS_Picture Mode
《Howl of War 6__Far Cry 6_: High Quality, DXR Light Tracing Reflections_on, DXR Light Tracing Shadows_on, FSR 1.0_Quality
《Assassin's Creed: Illusions_Assassin's Creed Mirage: World Detail_Very High, Sampling Type_NVIDIA DLSS

Considering the fact that most players pursue the most beautiful screen performance rather than the highest frame rate performance when playing 3A masterpiece games, the author also set up the built-in "Highest/High" texture effect option in AAA type games, and selected "Highest" and DLSS quality or picture quality mode in the same way for the light tracking setting, in order to obtain a certain degree of frame rate enhancement while keeping the screen performance as much as possible, and the frame rate collection. Also using Software Average Recording (AVG) and 1% Low fps.

• Average fps: Record the number of frames generated during a test play session and divide by the total recording time to get the average value.
• 1% Low fpsThe 1% part of the frame value that represents the longest frame generation time (Frametime) during the test is calculated as the average value, the closer the value is to the measured average fps, it means that the game does not have a significant frame drop problem, in other words 1% Low fps is the fluctuation of the low frame rate.

△ Ten AAA games tested: highest texture effects, FHD 1920×1080 resolution.

 

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Temperature and Power Test｜Heat and Power Performance

The test platform was set up on an indoor bare test bed in a closed room at 25 °C. The ambient temperature in a normal room is difficult to control, so it is for reference only.

The author used Cinebench 2026 CPU (Multiple Thread), AIDA64 FPU, AIDA64 CPU, theKurokami Dialog: GokuBlack Myth: Wukong", and the data was collected using HWiNFO64 to collect and record the maximum temperature, and the information was converted into graphs for players' reference.

1. AIDA64 FPU_30 Minute
2. AIDA64 CPU_30 Minute
3. Black Myth: Wukong 1920 x 1080(FHD)_Performance Test Tool 1 Round
4. Cinebench 2026 CPU (Multiple Thread)_1 Round

• CPU temperature is measured by the diode in the slot to measure the internal (core) or external (case) temperature, but there is no way to know exactly whether it is the internal or external temperature that is measured, and most monitoring software uses this item to display the CPU temperature.
• CPU (Tctl/Tdie) temperature is the actual maximum temperature of the CPU sensor in the chip.

△ AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D_Cooling performance test and power consumption performance.

△ Cinebench 2026 CPU (Multiple Thread)_1 Round temperature measurement screenshot.

 

AMD Wraith Prism Can Suppress the 9850X3D, Factory Ghost Cooler Temperature Measurements

The author then tested the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor with the AMD Wraith Prism cooler at full speed to see if the processor is able to hold down the heat. The thermal paste was replaced with Cooler Master Ice Fusion V2 (thermal conductivity 5W/m-k), which has a more common thermal conductivity and should be a good reference for everyone.

△ Tested with the original Faith Cooler.

 

In the AIDA64 CPU_30 Minute program, which simulates daily use, the maximum CPU temperature was 48 °C, and the CPU (Tctl/Tdie) temperature was 84.5 °C, with no overheating or crashes.

However, the load is even more severe. In the Cinebench 2026 CPU (Multiple Thread)_1 Round, which simulates professional multi-core multi-threaded rendering, although the maximum CPU temperature was only 54 °C, the CPU (Tctl/Tdie) temperature was 93.5 °C. The author could not pass the test even after three attempts. Twice, I got an Error error; once, the software was stuck.

△ AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D with stock Faith Cooler is fine for daily use.

△ However, it is not recommended to use it with the stock cooler if it is loaded with larger rendering requirements.

 

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Performance Improvement Test with PBO Overclocking On

在 ASRock X870E Taichi OCF In the Performance Preset setting of the motherboard BIOS, manually enable the Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) setting to Enabled to see how much the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor can improve its performance by simply turning on AMD automatic overclocking.

△Enable additional PBO in BIOS to use AMD auto overclocking.

 

With PBO on, AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D's CPU (Multiple Thread) has slightly decreased from 5683 pts to 5648 pts (~0.7 %), and CPU (Single Core) has slightly increased from 768 pts to 770 pts (~0.2 %), and CPU (Single Thread) has slightly increased from 561 pts to 570 pts (~0.2 %), while CPU (Single Thread) has slightly increased from 561 pts to 770 pts (~0.2 %). The CPU (Single Core) processor single-thread item is slightly increased from 768 pts to 770 pts (~0.2 %), and the CPU (Single Thread) processor single-thread item is slightly increased from 561 pts to 570 pts (~1.6 %).

Overall the performance increase after turning on AMD's basic PBO isn't that great, but there are other options available such as PBO and Tjmax=85°C/PBO, Tjmax=85°C and Curve Optimizer -20mV/PBO, Tjmax=85°C and Curve Optimizer -30mV/PBO, Tjmax=85°C and Curve Optimizer -40mV, etc. If you have a good processor, you can go back and play with it again to see if there is a more significant increase in performance. Tjmax=85°C and Curve Optimizer -40mV, etc. If you have a good processor in hand, you can play with it again to see if the performance will be significantly improved.

△ Cinebench 2026 results after manually turning on PBO, not much of a performance improvement, but other settings could probably be improved more.

 

Is AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D worth buying? Gamer Reviews

AMD's new Ryzen 7 9850X3D (R7 9850X3D) is not different from the current most powerful gaming processor Ryzen 7 9800X3D (R7 9800X3D) in terms of architecture and core specifications, but only in the single-core auto-overclocking can be overclocked up to 5.6 GHz, which is much more advantageous than the 9800X3D for games that are sensitive to the processor frequency. However, I don't have a 9800X3D on hand to compare how much worse it is, but I won't repeat myself if many people will test it.

Based on the 9800X3D's initial launch price of NT$16,450 and MSRP of US$479, the initial launch plus channel cost exchange rate is 1:34.3, while the recently announced MSRP of Ryzen 7 9850X3D (R7 9850X3D) is US$499, which translates to around NT$17,136. If the price is going to be close to 17,000...why not squeeze more on the R9 series processors, or the channel will directly compare to the 9900X's initial MSRP, which is set at 16,300 NT$. If the price is going to be close to 17,000...how about more R9-series processors, or will the sales channels directly compare the MSRP of the 9900X to the original MSRP of the 9900X, which was set at NT$16,300?

If the sales channel Ryzen 7 9850X3D suggests the same price as the previous 9800X3D (NTD 15600), and the 9800X3D continues to be sold without stopping the production and with a slight price reduction, it will be more in line with the market expectation. However, if we are choosing between the two R7 X3Ds, I feel that the price of the 9800X3D has to be reduced to at least 13600 in order to have an attraction, or else I feel that it is still a good idea to buy the new one. Otherwise, I feel like I'm still buying the new, not the old.

 

Cooler selection, if you want to match the original faith Ghost cooler AMD Wraith Prism installed, daily use of the game should be okay, although the temperature figures are slightly bad, but at least it will not overheat the temperature wall, if there is a rendering or transfer and other full-core load of professional needs, it will be recommended to upgrade to a better cooler for the 9850X3D, but the majority of people to buy this CPU! But most people buy this CPU for gaming.

 

In the performance test results of two popular MMORPGs, FF14_Final Fantasy XIV and Monster Hunter Wilds, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D on the author's platform is indeed stronger than the two flagship processors, especially in FF14 where the R7 9850X3D is stronger than the R7 9850X3D. Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Stronger 28.1 %, AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D does get better performance than the flagship processor at a cheaper price in MMORPG massively multiplayer online role-playing games.

 

On three FPS gaming titles, the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has the best average fps performance, compared to the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Stronger at 3.1 %, but at 1% Low fps on the other hand 285K is a bit stronger.

 

In ten 3A(AAA) type games, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D is in most cases better than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K The total average AVG fps and the total average 1% Low fps are 9.2 % and 12 % stronger respectively, but in the author's test scenario, the AVG fps and Low fps are 9.2 % and 12 % stronger respectively.Electric Renegade 2077Cyberpunk 2077 doesn't look like the official presentation, the 9850X3D is 32 % stronger than the competition, but it still loses, so I can only assume it's because of the different in-game settings, right?

To summarize: In terms of gaming performance, AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is still able to match or even surpass the other two flagship consumer processors in most of the games with its cheaper price advantage.