Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for ARK: Survival Ascended
From the Ryzen 9 7900 to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D: four processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 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.
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.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Rated Power
AMD Ryzen 9 7900
The lowest rated power here (65W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
The highest boost clock here (5.6GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform.
Best for: Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
The top of this price range, adding second-generation 3D V-Cache placed under the cores.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest rated power here (65W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (5.6GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (opens in a new tab) |
| 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform. | Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding second-generation 3D V-Cache placed under the cores. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Rated Power1 of 4
AMD Ryzen 9 7900 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 9 7900 is the 65W twelve-core AM5 chip with a Wraith Prism cooler included.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated power first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: l3 cache of 64MB, behind the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (96MB).
Why we like it
It trades a little boost clock for lower heat. It matches the Ryzen 9 7900X on L3 cache (64MB). Its 5.4GHz boost clock ranks second of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 9 7900X (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (4.5GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 9 7900X at 12 cores. Nothing else here matches its 65W rated power; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes closest at 105W. Like the Ryzen 9 7900X and Ryzen 7 9800X3D, it has DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 7 5800X3D uses DDR4 memory.
It also comes with 12 cores at a 65W rating. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Ryzen 9 7900X was closest. What it gives up: L3 cache of 64MB, behind the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (96MB); by contrast, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D offers 96MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 64MB
- Max boost: 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 12 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 24
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
Cons
- L3 cache of 64MB, behind the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (96MB)
Highest Boost Clock2 of 4
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 9 7900X has 12 Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
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 7900 on L3 cache (64MB). Its 5.6GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Ryzen 9 7900 comes next at 5.4GHz.
On rated power it trails the group at 170W, while the Ryzen 9 7900 offers 65W. Like the Ryzen 9 7900 and Ryzen 7 9800X3D, it has an AM5 socket, while the Ryzen 7 5800X3D uses an AM4 socket. 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. It was priced above the Ryzen 9 7900 and below the Ryzen 7 5800X3D at the time of writing. It gives ground on L3 cache, where the Ryzen 7 5800X3D offers 96MB.
Key dimensions & 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
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (96MB)
Also Consider3 of 4
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the last X3D chip for AM4.
Best for
- Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Why we like it
It lets an existing AM4 board take a cache upgrade without a new platform or DDR5. It matches the Ryzen 7 9800X3D on L3 cache (96MB). Its 4.5GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 5.6GHz.
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D at 8 cores. On rated power it sits mid-pack at 105W: the Ryzen 9 7900 offers 65W, and the Ryzen 9 7900X comes in at 170W. It is the only pick here with an AM4 socket; the Ryzen 9 7900 has an AM5 socket instead.
No other pick in this guide offers DDR4 memory; compare the Ryzen 9 7900X, which has DDR5 memory. It also offers a drop-in upgrade for many existing AM4 boards after a BIOS update. When we checked, only the Ryzen 9 7900X and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 96MB
- Max boost: 4.5GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 105W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform
- Drop-in upgrade for many existing AM4 boards after a BIOS update
- Rated power of 105W, ahead of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Cons
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Premium Pick4 of 4
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D pairs AMD's 3D V-Cache with eight Zen 5 cores, and games that lean on cache respond to it more than to extra cores.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It is the chip to pair with a high-end graphics card when the CPU would otherwise hold frame rates back. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.2GHz: the Ryzen 9 7900X offers 5.6GHz, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes in at 4.5GHz. It matches the Ryzen 7 5800X3D on core count (8 cores).
Its 120W rated power ranks third of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 9 7900 (65W) and ahead of the Ryzen 9 7900X (170W). It shares DDR5 memory with the Ryzen 9 7900 and Ryzen 9 7900X; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D goes with DDR4 memory. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Ryzen 7 5800X3D and the rest. The trade-off is core count; for more, the Ryzen 9 7900 offers 12 cores.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 96MB
- Max boost: 5.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 120W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Second-generation 3D V-Cache placed under the cores
- Unlocked multiplier, a first for AMD's X3D chips
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Core count trails the Ryzen 9 7900 (12 cores)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 9 7900 at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared four processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Ryzen 9 7900 to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Ryzen 9 7900 for the lowest rated power here (65W); the Ryzen 9 7900X for the highest boost clock here (5.6GHz); the Ryzen 7 5800X3D for 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform.
- Price range
- From the Ryzen 9 7900 to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
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 7900X to 96MB on the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the pick for L3 cache.
How much boost clock you need
Here boost clock runs from 4.5GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800X3D to 5.6GHz on the Ryzen 9 7900X. The Ryzen 9 7900 comes second for less money.
Core count across these picks
Here core count runs from 8 cores on the Ryzen 7 9800X3D to 12 cores on the Ryzen 9 7900. The Ryzen 9 7900 is the pick for core count.
Memory
The Ryzen 9 7900, the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D list DDR5; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D lists DDR4. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 9 7900 has it; the Ryzen 9 7900X, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D go without.
Check BIOS support before buying
Newer CPUs on older boards may need a BIOS update before the system will start. Check the board's CPU support list for the version you need and whether the board can flash without a CPU installed.
How to Choose a CPUs for ARK: Survival Ascended
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated power first | Ryzen 9 7900 | The lowest rated power here (65W) |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 9 7900X | The highest boost clock here (5.6GHz) |
| Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform | Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Ryzen 7 9800X3D | The top of this price range, adding second-generation 3D V-Cache placed under the cores |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D leads on L3 cache at 96MB, ahead of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D at 96MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 7900 | 64MB | 5.4GHz | 12 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 9 7900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 170W |
| Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 96MB | 4.5GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
| Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 96MB | 5.2GHz | 8 cores | 120W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest boost clock: the Ryzen 9 7900X or the Ryzen 9 7900?
The Ryzen 9 7900X leads at 5.6GHz, with the Ryzen 9 7900 at 5.4GHz. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is at the other end of this group with 4.5GHz.
How does the Ryzen 7 5800X3D compare with the Ryzen 9 7900 on rated power?
The Ryzen 9 7900 comes out best at 65W, with the Ryzen 7 5800X3D at 105W. The Ryzen 9 7900X is at the other end of this group with 170W.
Is the Ryzen 7 9800X3D worth paying more than the Ryzen 9 7900?
On paper it adds L3 cache (96MB against 64MB). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 9 7900 still leads on boost clock (5.4GHz) and core count (12 cores). The Ryzen 9 7900 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Ryzen 9 7900 the Lowest Rated Power?
It earns the label for the lowest rated power here (65W). It suits anyone who put rated power first.
Do the Ryzen 9 7900 and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D differ on socket?
The Ryzen 9 7900, the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D use AM5; the Ryzen 7 5800X3D uses AM4.
What should I check before buying the Ryzen 7 9800X3D?
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. In this guide it ranks fourth of 4, as our Premium Pick pick.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 9 7900, chosen for the lowest rated power here (65W). Look at the Ryzen 9 7900X for the highest boost clock here (5.6GHz), the Ryzen 7 5800X3D for 3D V-Cache on the AM4 platform and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D for the top of this price range, adding second-generation 3D V-Cache placed under the cores if those matter more to you.
Use DLSS or FSR to shift load off the GPU.