Buying Guide
The Best Ryzen CPUs for Gaming
Six Ryzen processors for gaming across AM4 and AM5, weighted toward the X3D chips and their 96MB caches.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read6 products evaluated
AMD's X3D chips stack extra L3 cache on the processor, which helps in many games. The non-X3D Ryzen chips cost less and suit builds where the graphics card sets the limit.
We compared cache, cores and boost clock from AMD specifications; we did not benchmark these processors.
Quick Picks
Our 6 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Ryzen for Gaming
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
96MB of L3 on eight Zen 5 cores.
Best for: Most gaming builds.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (opens in a new tab)
Highest-Clocked X3D
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D
A 5.6GHz boost with 96MB of L3.
Best for: High-refresh competitive play.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget X3D
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
96MB of L3 on six cores.
Best for: Mid-budget AM5 builds.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D (opens in a new tab)
Best AM4 Gaming Upgrade
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
96MB of L3 on AM4 with DDR4.
Best for: Older Ryzen boards.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D (opens in a new tab)
Best Non-X3D Eight-Core
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
Eight Zen 5 cores at 65W.
Best for: Gaming plus light work.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Eight-Core
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
Eight cores on AM4 at 65W.
Best for: Budget AM4 builds.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96MB of L3 on eight Zen 5 cores. | Most gaming builds. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (opens in a new tab) |
| A 5.6GHz boost with 96MB of L3. | High-refresh competitive play. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D (opens in a new tab) |
| 96MB of L3 on six cores. | Mid-budget AM5 builds. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D (opens in a new tab) |
| 96MB of L3 on AM4 with DDR4. | Older Ryzen boards. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D (opens in a new tab) |
| Eight Zen 5 cores at 65W. | Gaming plus light work. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (opens in a new tab) |
| Eight cores on AM4 at 65W. | Budget AM4 builds. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Ryzen for Gaming1 of 6
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
- Most gaming builds.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the bo is a problem.
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. Its 5.2GHz boost clock ranks third of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 7 9850X3D (5.6GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (4.5GHz). On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 7 9850X3D at 120W.
It also comes with second-generation 3D V-Cache placed under the cores and an unlocked multiplier, a first for AMD's X3D chips. 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.
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
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 5700X at the time of writing
Highest-Clocked X3D2 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 9850X3D is a higher-clocked version of the eight-core X3D design.
Best for
- High-refresh competitive play.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It targets players who want the most gaming headroom AMD offers in an eight-core chip. It is AMD's second-generation X3D eight-core chip with 96MB of L3 cache. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the Ryzen 5 7600X3D and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D at 96MB.
Its 5.6GHz boost clock is the highest here; the Ryzen 7 9700X comes next at 5.5GHz. It matches the Ryzen 7 9800X3D on rated power (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.
It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the rest. The trade-off is rated power; for more, the Ryzen 5 7600X3D offers 65W.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 96MB
- Max boost: 5.6GHz
- 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
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Higher-clocked take on the 9800X3D design
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 7600X3D (65W)
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 5700X at the time of writing
Best Budget X3D3 of 6
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 7600X3D brings 96MB of L3 cache to a six-core AM5 chip at a 65W rating.
Best for
- Mid-budget AM5 builds.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside game rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest way into AMD's cache-heavy gaming line on AM5. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D at 96MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.7GHz: the Ryzen 7 9850X3D offers 5.6GHz, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes in at 4.5GHz.
Its 6 cores core count is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 7 9800X3D leads at 8 cores. It matches the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Ryzen 7 5700X on rated power (65W). 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.
No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper Ryzen 7 5700X and the pricier Ryzen 7 9700X, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 96MB
- Max boost: 4.7GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 96MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 96MB of L3 cache on a six-core chip
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Core count trails the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (8 cores)
Best AM4 Gaming Upgrade4 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the last X3D chip for AM4.
Best for
- Older Ryzen boards.
Skip if
- Pass on it if aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs comin rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It lets an existing AM4 board take a cache upgrade without a new platform or DDR5. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the Ryzen 5 7600X3D at 96MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.5GHz, while the Ryzen 7 9850X3D offers 5.6GHz.
Its 105W rated power ranks fourth of 6 here, behind the Ryzen 5 7600X3D (65W) and ahead of the Ryzen 7 9850X3D (120W). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 7 5700X; the Ryzen 7 9700X goes with an AM5 socket. It also comes with a drop-in upgrade for many existing AM4 boards after a BIOS update.
It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. Its price falls between the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, based on our last check.
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
- Core count of 8 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7600X3D
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
Best Non-X3D Eight-Core5 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 9700X gives eight Zen 5 cores at a 65W rating without the X3D cache.
Best for
- Gaming plus light work.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It is the quieter, cooler-running choice when a build balances games with everyday work. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 7 5700X at 32MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.5GHz: the Ryzen 7 9850X3D offers 5.6GHz, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes in at 4.5GHz.
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. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 7600X3D and the pricier Ryzen 7 5800X3D, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 5 architecture
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 7 5700X at the time of writing
Best Budget Eight-Core6 of 6
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 7 5700X gives AM4 builds eight cores at a 65W rating.
Best for
- Budget AM4 builds.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when aM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs comin is a problem.
Why we like it
It suits players who also stream or edit on a DDR4 platform. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 7 9700X at 32MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 4.6GHz: the Ryzen 7 9850X3D offers 5.6GHz, and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D comes in at 4.5GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 7600X3D and the Ryzen 7 9700X on rated power (65W). It shares an AM4 socket with the Ryzen 7 5800X3D; the Ryzen 7 9700X goes with an AM5 socket. It also comes with PCIe 4.0 support.
It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Ryzen 5 7600X3D was the next step up. If L3 cache is your priority, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (96MB) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 32MB
- Max boost: 4.6GHz
- Cores / threads: 8 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 16
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Eight cores on the DDR4 AM4 platform
- PCIe 4.0 support
- Boost clock of 4.6GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D
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
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Platform cost
- We noted socket, memory type and whether a cooler is included, since they change the real price.
- Power and cooling
- We recorded each chip's rated power and what cooler class it needs.
- Upgrade path
- We considered how long each socket is likely to receive new CPUs.
- Game-relevant specs
- We compared L3 cache, boost clocks and core counts from AMD's and Intel's product pages.
What to Look for in a Ryzen CPUs for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Cache helps games more than clocks
AMD's X3D chips add a large stacked L3 cache that keeps more game data close to the cores. In CPU-limited games that often helps more than a higher boost clock.
The gain shrinks when the graphics card is the limit.
The socket decides your upgrade path
The socket fixes which motherboards and future CPUs you can use. AM5 has had several CPU generations; AM4 has no newer chips coming.
If you plan to upgrade later, a current platform is worth a small premium.
Match the CPU to your graphics card and monitor
At 1440p and 4K the graphics card sets most frame rates, so a mid-range CPU is often enough. At 1080p with a high-refresh monitor, the CPU matters much more.
Spend on the part that limits your games, not on the bigger number.
Integrated graphics are a useful backup
Chips with integrated graphics can drive a display without a graphics card, which helps when troubleshooting or between upgrades. Intel's F and KF models and most AM4 Ryzen chips have none.
Budget for the cooler
Most unlocked chips ship without a cooler. A 65W part runs well on a basic single tower, while 120W to 170W parts need a dual tower or an AIO to hold their boost clocks.
Add the cooler to the CPU price when comparing.
Cores matter for streaming and creation
Six and eight cores cover gaming. Streaming with CPU encoding, video editing and compiling benefit from twelve or sixteen.
If you encode on the graphics card instead, core count matters less.
How to Choose a Ryzen CPUs for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most gaming builds | Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 96MB of L3 on eight Zen 5 cores |
| High-refresh competitive play | Ryzen 7 9850X3D | A 5.6GHz boost with 96MB of L3 |
| Mid-budget AM5 builds | Ryzen 5 7600X3D | 96MB of L3 on six cores |
| Older Ryzen boards | Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 96MB of L3 on AM4 with DDR4 |
| Gaming plus light work | Ryzen 7 9700X | Eight Zen 5 cores at 65W |
| Budget AM4 builds | Ryzen 7 5700X | Eight cores on AM4 at 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 96MB | 5.2GHz | 8 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 7 9850X3D | 96MB | 5.6GHz | 8 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 5 7600X3D | 96MB | 4.7GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 96MB | 4.5GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
| Ryzen 7 9700X | 32MB | 5.5GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 5700X | 32MB | 4.6GHz | 8 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 7 5700X, Ryzen 5 7600X3D |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 7 9700X, Ryzen 7 5800X3D, Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Ryzen 7 9850X3D |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a separate cooler?
Usually yes. Only some chips, such as the Ryzen 5 7600 and 5600X, include a basic cooler; unlocked high-end models do not.
What memory should I pair with it?
AM5 and LGA1851 use DDR5; AM4 uses DDR4. For AM5, a 32GB DDR5-6000 kit is a common pairing; check the board's memory support list.
What does X3D mean on a Ryzen CPU?
It marks AMD's 3D V-Cache chips, which stack extra L3 cache on the processor. Games that are limited by the CPU tend to run faster on them.
Is AM4 still worth buying into?
For an upgrade to an existing AM4 system, yes. For a new build, AM5 or LGA1851 gives a longer upgrade path.
What does the rated power figure mean?
It is AMD's default TDP or Intel's base power. Chips can draw more under boost, so size the cooler for sustained loads, not the label alone.
Should I choose Intel or AMD for gaming?
At the high end, AMD's X3D chips lead in many CPU-limited games. Intel's Core Ultra chips offer more cores for work at similar prices. Choose by workload and platform cost.
Bottom Line
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the best Ryzen for gaming, and the 9850X3D adds clock speed. The 7600X3D is the budget X3D, the 5800X3D upgrades AM4, and the 9700X and 5700X are the non-X3D choices.