Rumor has it that new X3D processors are in the works, with which AMD finally wants to turn a long-standing rumor into reality.
The first anniversary of the release of the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is coming up soon: On November 7, 2024, “X3D Reimagined” appeared on the market, aiming to rethink the processor with the 3D V-Cache, which has been particularly successful in gaming. At the time, this was achieved by enabling OC capacities for the first time in such an X3D CPU. However, even this release was accompanied by rumors of a processor that would go one better. AMD was allegedly working on an X3D CPU in which the 3D V-Cache would be located on both “Compact Core Dies.”
These leaks have not yet been confirmed, but that is set to change soon.
Two new Ryzen names are in circulation
The latest leak comes once again from “ch1lleddog” on X, according to which AMD is said to be working on two new processors, but only one of which is to feature the double 3D V-Cache.
These are divided into the “Ryzen 9 9950X3D2” and the “Ryzen 7 9850X3D,” which are said to represent either the absolute top model or a gap in the current Zen 5 portfolio. The leaker also wants to know more about the technical specifications:
- The Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 has 16 cores and 32 threads, the same number as the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, but a lower boost clock speed of 5.6 GHz. In return, the L3 cache increases from 128 to 192 MB. The same applies to the TDP, which increases to 200 watts.
- The Ryzen 7 9850X3D doesn’t change much compared to the popular 9800X3D: The boost clock increases by 400 MHz to 5.6 GHz – that’s it.
This results in the following comparison table (if the leak is correct):
| Ryzen 7 9800X3D | Ryzen 7 9850X3D* | Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Ryzen 9 9950X3D2* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 | 16 / 32 | 16 /32 |
| Base clock Boost clock | 4.7 GHz 5.2 GHz | 4.7 GHz 5.6 GHz | 4.3 GHz 5.7 GHz | 4.3 GHz 5.6 GHz |
| Total L3 cache | 96 MB | 96 MB | 128 MB | 192 MB |
| Standard TDP | 120 watts | 120 watts | 170 watts | 200 watts |
With the possible Ryzen 9950X3D2, one important aspect of the technical design would change compared to the “regular” 9950X3D: AMD would no longer have to ensure that its in-house scheduler logic assigns video games to the correct chiplet.
In short: The Ryzen 9950X3D is divided into two chiplets, each with eight cores, but only one of which carries the 64 MB 3D V-Cache.
Accordingly, AMD must ensure that your games are assigned to the correct chiplet so that they can also benefit from the 3D V-cache – which, however, does not always work smoothly, which is why workarounds such as “Process Lasso” are needed in some places.
However, the hardware community is also discussing uses beyond PC gaming. AMD could simply use this as a field test to see how the double 3D-V cache, which has been rumored for years, performs in practice.
AMD Readies 16-Core Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 CPU with 192 MB L3 Cache and 200 W TDP
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Especially with regard to productivity and AI tasks, the 3D V-Cache is ideally suited to meet further requirements – similar to how RTX graphics cards have been “repurposed” for mining and AI workloads.
However, it remains questionable whether companies would actually jump at the chance to purchase such a 9950X3D2: Some “proper” workstation processors, from AMD Epyc to Intel Xeon, have already broken the gigabyte barrier for L3 cache or are at least sufficiently blessed with valuable cache memory.
