by Carter Jun 23,2025
If you're in the process of building a new gaming PC and searching for the best gaming processor available, look no further. The newly released AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 desktop processor is now back in stock on Amazon at its MSRP of $489 shipped. As the current top-tier gaming CPU on the market—surpassing both AMD’s and Intel’s offerings—it stands out as a superior option for gamers compared to the pricier Intel Core Ultra 9 285K.
$489.00 at Amazon
AMD’s X3D series processors are specifically engineered for optimal gaming performance, thanks to the brand’s innovative 3D V-Cache technology. These CPUs consistently outperform even the most expensive standard AMD chips in gaming benchmarks. While they can handle multitasking, rendering, and creative workflows, their limited core count makes them less ideal for heavy productivity use.
Priced at $489, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers excellent value—it's $100 less than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K ($589) and $160 cheaper than the Ryzen 9 9950X. Despite its lower price, it delivers better gaming performance than both alternatives. Unless you're deeply invested in the Intel ecosystem or still using an AM4 motherboard and prefer not to upgrade your components, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the logical choice for your next build.
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers exceptional gaming performance, making it easier to recommend over recent competitors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or the Ryzen 9 9900X. If you’re pairing it with a high-end graphics card, this CPU ensures you get the most out of your GPU without bottlenecks."
Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, AMD launched two more powerful Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 X3D lineup: the Ryzen 9 9950X3D (priced at $699) and the Ryzen 9 9900X3D ($599). Together, these three CPUs represent the pinnacle of gaming performance across both AMD and Intel platforms. However, the Ryzen 9 models are currently unavailable.
For pure gaming builds, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains the top recommendation due to its affordability and strong performance. Gamers can then invest the saved budget into other critical components like a better GPU. On the other hand, content creators who also game will find greater value in the Ryzen 9 options, which offer more cores and cache for improved productivity and multitasking capabilities.
$699.00 at Amazon
$699.00 at Best Buy
$699.00 at Newegg
For creative professionals who also demand top-tier gaming performance, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the ultimate pick. This powerhouse features a boost clock up to 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2–L3 cache. In gaming scenarios, it only marginally outperforms the 9800X3D, but where it truly shines is in productivity workloads—easily surpassing all other Zen 5 X3D chips and anything Intel has to offer.
"While the Ryzen 9 9950X3D may be the strongest gaming CPU right now, that doesn’t automatically make it the best buy for everyone. Most users will be perfectly satisfied with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which costs significantly less at $479. The 9950X3D is best suited for hybrid users—gamers who also run creative software like Photoshop or Premiere Pro, where it shows around a 15% performance gain over the 9800X3D. For a dedicated gaming rig, though, consider saving that extra $220 for a stronger GPU instead."
$599.00 at Amazon
$599.00 at Best Buy
$599.00 at Newegg
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the balanced option for those who engage in both creative work and gaming but want to stay within a tighter budget than what the 9950X3D demands. It features a maximum boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of combined L2–L3 cache. Though we haven't reviewed this model yet, its specs suggest it sits between the 9800X3D and 9950X3D in terms of multi-core performance. In gaming, we expect similar performance to its siblings.
With over 30 years of combined experience in uncovering the best deals across gaming and tech, IGN’s deals team is committed to transparency and quality. We don’t push products unnecessarily or promote inflated prices. Our mission is to highlight trusted, worthwhile deals from brands we know and have tested personally. You can learn more about our editorial standards here, or follow our latest finds via the IGN Deals Twitter account.
AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT: Officially Confirmed
AMD has unveiled the Radeon RX 9060 XT at Computex 2025, following the success of the RX 9070 XT from March. However, Team Red remains tight-lipped about the details of this new mid-range graphics card. The AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT comes equipped with 32 Compute Units and 16GB of GDDR6 memory, a robust
May 25,2025
Best Buy Launches Prebuilt Gaming PCs with AMD Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT
The excitement around AMD's newly released Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards is palpable, and they're flying off the shelves. If you missed out on snagging one of these powerful GPUs, don't worry—you can still enjoy their performance in a prebuilt gaming PC at a very competitive price. Th
May 20,2025
AMD Zen 5 Gaming CPUs Restocked: 9950X3D, 9900X3D, 9800X3D Available Now
If you're considering an upgrade and leaning toward AMD, there's no better time to make the switch. With the recent launch of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D processors alongside the already popular Ryzen 7 9800X3D, AMD is offering a powerful trio of Zen 5 "X3D" CPUs that stand tall as the b
Jun 24,2025
"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Hits 1 Million Sales in 3 Days"
Roblox Deep Descent: January 2025 Codes Revealed
How to Feed Villagers in Necesse
Bitlife: How to Complete the Renaissance Challenge
"Ōkami 2: Capcom, Kamiya, and Machine Head Discuss Sequel in Exclusive Interview"
Bahiti Hero Guide: Mastering the Epic Marksman in Whiteout Survival
Ragnarok V: Returns Beginner's Guide - Classes, Controls, Quests, Gameplay Explained
The Best Nintendo Switch Games That Don\'t Require An Internet Connection
Category 
