Image: AMD
Ask a bunch of PC gamers what CPU is going in their next desktop build and I’ll bet more than half will mention some variation of AMD’s Ryzen X3D series. With boosted V-cache, it’s proven to give any GPU a helping hand—and that’s why I picked up a Ryzen 7 7800X3D for the desktop I’m using to type these very words. Today, you can get that same chip for just $319.99 on Amazon, a cool $130 off.
The 8-core, 16-thread 7800X3D was the sweet spot for gaming performance and price a couple of years ago, though it’s been superseded by the Zen 5-based 9800X3D (which can be installed in the same AM5 motherboards). That said, the newer chip is $460 from various retailers right now and only about 5 percent faster in higher-end games.
That makes this deal on the older 7800X3D a no-brainer. Put that extra budget towards your GPU or a bigger SSD and your upcoming PC build will be a lot more capable. Oh, and remember that the X3D processors don’t come with coolers—as AMD assumes you’ll want something a little beefier—so make sure to include one in your PCPartPicker list.
Grab the Ryzen 7 7800X3D for $319.99 on Amazon while you still can. There’s no indication of how long this particular deal will last, but Walmart is also selling it on sale, which you can snag if the Amazon deal runs out. (In fact, depending on where you are in relation to the nearest distribution center, you could get the latter for as little as $305.)
This X3D chip with boosted V-cache is a smart CPU for desktop PCs
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld
Michael is a 10-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he's the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop "battlestation" in his off hours. Michael's previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he's covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he's always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.