The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Makes The Best Gaming CPU Just a Little Bit Better

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is already the best gaming processor out right now, but AMD is following up with a mid-generation refresh at CES 2026, with the Ryzen 7 9850X3D.

This new gaming processor is virtually the same as the existing 9800X3D, but with a substantial out-of-the-box overclock, with a Max Turbo Boost of 5.6GHz for the 9850X3D, compared to 5.2GHz on the original processor. That’s about a 7% boost to clock speeds, which should make this processor hold a decent edge over most other CPUs you’ll find in a gaming PC.

The clock speed is about the only thing changing, though. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D still has 8 cores and 16 threads and the same 104MB of 3D V-Cache. It also has the same 120W TDP, despite its higher clock speed. So while the 9850X3D will be faster than the 9800X3D, it won’t be by enough to convince anyone that already has a 9th-generation Ryzen chip to upgrade.

However, for anyone that hasn’t made the upgrade yet, this new processor will be better for gaming than the original, if even just by a little bit. AMD hasn’t shared pricing information on this processor yet, though, so it remains to be seen whether or not this chip will be a better value. But with how RAM keeps getting more expensive, I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Luckily, even though AMD is essentially replacing the 9800X3D, Team Red will continue to sell the original chip – so even if the 9850X3D is way more expensive, you might be able to get a deal on the slightly slower CPU.

I went ahead and listed out the specs of both the Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D below.

Jackie Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN and the PC components queen. You can follow her @Jackiecobra