Gaming CPUs Beyond the 9800X3D: Ryzen 9 9950X3D, Ryzen 7 9700X, Core Ultra 9 285K and Ryzen 5 7600
Four processors for different kinds of gaming PC, from a 16-core X3D chip for gaming plus heavy work to a budget AM5 starter CPU.
Four processors for different kinds of gaming PC, from a 16-core X3D chip for gaming plus heavy work to a budget AM5 starter CPU.
Photo by Jacek Halicki / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Affiliate links.As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links below go to Amazon; prices and availability change, so check Amazon for current pricing.Affiliate disclosure
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D gets most of the attention as a gaming CPU, but it isn’t the right chip for everyone. If you also stream, edit video or compile code, or you’re on a tighter budget, one of these four processors may suit you better. This buying guide is based on each chip’s published core counts and platform. Check current reviews for the games you play.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: gaming plus serious work
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D combines 16 cores with AMD’s 3D V-Cache. Its gaming performance is close to the 8-core X3D chips, with far more multi-threaded power for rendering, encoding and compiling. It is overkill for a pure gaming PC, but it is the “one chip for everything” option on AM5.
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X: an efficient 8-core
The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is an 8-core Zen 5 chip with low power draw for its class, so a mid-range air cooler is enough. It lacks the extra cache that gives X3D chips their gaming lead. It is a balanced pick for 1440p and 4K gaming, where the GPU usually sets the limit anyway.
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K: Intel’s high-end option
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has 24 cores (8 performance and 16 efficient) on the LGA 1851 socket and needs a Z890 or B860 motherboard. It is strong in productivity work. Before you choose it over an AMD X3D chip, compare results in the specific games you play.
AMD Ryzen 5 7600: the budget way onto AM5
The AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is a 6-core chip that gets you onto AM5 cheaply, and it comes with a stock cooler. AMD has supported AM5 across several CPU generations, so you can move to a faster chip later without replacing the motherboard and memory.
Quick guide
- Pure gaming at high refresh rates: stick with an 8-core X3D chip such as the 9800X3D.
- Gaming plus heavy productivity: the Ryzen 9 9950X3D or Core Ultra 9 285K.
- A balanced, efficient build: the Ryzen 7 9700X.
- A budget build you’ll upgrade later: the Ryzen 5 7600.
Don’t forget the platform
The CPU is only part of the cost. AM5 and LGA 1851 both need DDR5 memory, and motherboard prices vary widely. A mid-range board is enough for most gamers: B650 or B850 on AMD, B860 on Intel. Make sure the board’s BIOS supports your chip out of the box, or that the board offers BIOS flashback.
Bottom line
For most gamers, the GPU matters more than the CPU, so budget accordingly. Choose a chip for what you do besides gaming, and keep enough money for the graphics card.
Our picks: Processors
Shop on Amazon
Affiliate links.As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links below go to Amazon; prices and availability change, so check Amazon for current pricing.Affiliate disclosure
Illustrative photos: Photo by Myself User:ZyMOS / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0; Photo by Jacek Halicki / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0; Photo by Ondřej Martin Mach / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0