Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for ARK: Survival Ascended
From the Ryzen 9 7900X to the Ryzen 9 9900X3D: three processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
ARK: Survival Ascended loads the CPU with large bases and dinos. Every pick has eight or more cores and 64MB+ of L3, ordered from the lowest price.
ARK: Survival Ascended's official PC requirements list AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Intel i5-10600K and 32GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: ARK: Survival Ascended on Steam). Matching brand to brand, the Ryzen 9 7900X, the Ryzen 9 9900X and the Ryzen 9 9900X3D are a newer generation than the Ryzen 5 3600X.
Our comparison rests on published figures for L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so.
Requirements source: ARK: Survival Ascended on Steam
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 9 7900XUndercutting the Ryzen 9 9900X on price when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 9 9900X the next step up.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 9 9900XThe Zen 5 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 5 architecture.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3DThe largest L3 cache here (128MB).
Best for: Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the Ryzen 9 9900X on price when we checked. | Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 9 9900X the next step up. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The Zen 5 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 5 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (128MB). | Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
The Ryzen 9 7900X has 12 Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 9 9900X the next step up.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO.
Why we like it
It is a cheaper way to the same thread count as the 9900X, at a higher power rating. It matches the Ryzen 9 9900X on L3 cache (64MB). It matches the Ryzen 9 9900X on boost clock (5.6GHz).
On rated power it trails the group at 170W, while the Ryzen 9 9900X offers 120W. You also get the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the Ryzen 9 9900X the next step up.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 64MB
- Max boost
- 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 12 cores
- Rated power
- 170W
- Threads
- 24
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 9 9900X (120W)
The catch
It gives ground on rated power, where the Ryzen 9 9900X offers 120W.
Also Consider2 of 3
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
The Ryzen 9 9900X steps down to 12 cores on Zen 5.
Best for
- Buyers who want Zen 5 architecture.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It leaves plenty of threads for an encoder alongside a game, with a lower power rating than the 16-core chips. It matches the Ryzen 9 7900X on L3 cache (64MB). It matches the Ryzen 9 7900X on boost clock (5.6GHz).
On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 9 9900X3D at 120W. You also get the Zen 5 architecture. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version.
Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It was priced above the Ryzen 9 7900X and below the Ryzen 9 9900X3D at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 64MB
- Max boost
- 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 12 cores
- Rated power
- 120W
- Threads
- 24
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 9 9900X3D (128MB)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 9 7900X at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on L3 cache, where the Ryzen 9 9900X3D offers 128MB.
Largest Game Cache3 of 3
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D adds 3D V-Cache to a twelve-core layout.
Best for
- Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the box is a problem.
Why we like it
It sits between the eight-core X3D chips and the 9950X3D on core count and price. Nothing else here matches its 128MB L3 cache; the Ryzen 9 7900X comes closest at 64MB. Its 5.5GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 5.6GHz.
On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 9 9900X at 120W. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 9 9900X the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 128MB
- Max boost
- 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 12 cores
- Rated power
- 120W
- Threads
- 24
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 128MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 9 7900X (5.6GHz)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 9 7900X at the time of writing
The catch
Boost clock is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 9 7900X covers it better at 5.6GHz.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared three processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 9 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Ryzen 9 7900X to the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count and share AM5 socket and DDR5 memory.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 9 7900X for undercutting the Ryzen 9 9900X on price when we checked; the Ryzen 9 9900X for the Zen 5 architecture; the Ryzen 9 9900X3D for the largest L3 cache here (128MB).
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 9 7900X ($250 to $500) to the Ryzen 9 9900X3D ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a CPUs for ARK: Survival Ascended
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache
Here L3 cache runs from 64MB on the Ryzen 9 9900X to 128MB on the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, a 100% spread. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the pick for L3 cache.
How much boost clock you need
The Ryzen 9 7900X tops boost clock at 5.6GHz and the Ryzen 9 9900X3D sits lowest at 5.5GHz; 2 picks share the top figure. If boost clock is your first filter, the Ryzen 9 7900X sets the ceiling at 5.6GHz.
A desktop CPU seated in its motherboard socket with the retention frame open Rated power across these picks
The Ryzen 9 9900X tops rated power at 120W and the Ryzen 9 7900X sits lowest at 170W; 2 picks share the top figure. Start with the Ryzen 9 9900X if rated power decides it.
Features beyond the spec table
The Ryzen 9 7900X: a 5nm process. The Ryzen 9 9900X: the Zen 5 architecture. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D: 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip.
How much to spend
$250 to $500 buys the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 9 9900X; $500 to $1000 buys the Ryzen 9 9900X3D at our last check.
How to Choose a CPUs for ARK: Survival Ascended
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 9 9900X the next step up | Ryzen 9 7900X | Undercutting the Ryzen 9 9900X on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want Zen 5 architecture | Ryzen 9 9900X | The Zen 5 architecture |
| Players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles | Ryzen 9 9900X3D | The largest L3 cache here (128MB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D leads on L3 cache at 128MB, ahead of the Ryzen 9 7900X at 64MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 7900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 170W |
| Ryzen 9 9900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 9 9900X3D | 128MB | 5.5GHz | 12 cores | 120W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Ryzen 9 7900X, sat in the $250 to $500 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Ryzen 9 9900X3D at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 9 7900X, Ryzen 9 9900X |
| About $500 to $1000 | Ryzen 9 9900X3D |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these processors run ARK: Survival Ascended at recommended settings?
In ARK: Survival Ascended's list, the Ryzen 9 7900X, the Ryzen 9 9900X and the Ryzen 9 9900X3D meet the recommended processor on brand, generation and model number. ARK: Survival Ascended also lists 32GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the processor.
Which has the largest L3 cache: the Ryzen 9 9900X3D or the Ryzen 9 7900X?
Between the top two, it is 128MB on the Ryzen 9 9900X3D against 64MB on the Ryzen 9 7900X, a 100% difference.
Is the Ryzen 9 9900X3D worth paying more than the Ryzen 9 7900X?
What it brings is L3 cache (128MB against 64MB) and rated power (120W against 170W). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 9 7900X still leads on boost clock (5.6GHz). The Ryzen 9 7900X sat in the $250 to $500 tier and the Ryzen 9 9900X3D in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 1 other pick between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and rated power decide your purchase.
What makes the Ryzen 9 9900X3D the Largest Game Cache?
It carries the badge for the largest L3 cache here (128MB). The Ryzen 9 7900X is next on L3 cache at 64MB, so this pick's 128MB is 100% further out. It gives up boost clock (5.5GHz against 5.6GHz) to the Ryzen 9 7900X, the cheapest pick. It makes sense for players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 9 9900X apart?
The Ryzen 9 7900X: the Zen 4 architecture. The Ryzen 9 9900X: the Zen 5 architecture. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D: 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip.
Should I pick the Ryzen 9 7900X or the Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
The Ryzen 9 7900X suits spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 9 9900X the next step up; the Ryzen 9 9900X3D suits players chasing 1% lows in simulation and esports titles.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 9 7900X, chosen for undercutting the Ryzen 9 9900X on price when we checked. Look at the Ryzen 9 9900X for the Zen 5 architecture if those matter more to you.
Use DLSS or FSR to shift load off the GPU.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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