AMD's new Ryzen 7 9850X3D CPU leaks: 5% faster than 9800X3D, but 20% faster than 7800X3D

AMD's upcoming refreshed Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor performance has leaked out again, with 5% more performance than the 9800X3D, and 20% more performance than the Zen 4-based 7800X3D in new PassMark testing.

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The new 9850X3D will retain the 8 cores and 16 threads of Zen 5-based CPU power that the 9800X3D has, but with 400MHz more clock speeds @ 5.6GHz, over the 9800X3D. It retains its 120W TDP and 96MB of L3 cache, too. In new PassMark testing, AMD's new Ryzen 7 9850X3D is 5% faster in both single-core and multi-core PassMark tests over the 9800X3D, while it's a much bigger 20% faster than the 7800X3D.

AMD's upcoming Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor will be a fantastic upgrade for those continuing on the AM5 platform from a CPU like the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, as you'll enjoy higher clock speeds, more performance, and second-generation 3D V-Cache. If you're using the 9800X3D then you will want to skip this upgrade, and maybe fly up to the unreleased Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 processor in 2026 with dual X3D cache stacks (and 16C/32T of power).

• Read more: Intel's answer to X3D cache: 144MB of bLLC cache on next-gen Nova Lake CPUs
• Read more: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 won't launch until Q1 2026, will be a CES 2026 tease
• Read more: AMD promotes its Ryzen 9000X3D CPUs @ 1000FPS+ gaming in popular esports games

AM4 motherboard owners that upgrade to a new AM5 motherboard in 2026 will want to keep an eye on the new 9850X3D processor, as it would be a great upgrade from whatever AM4-based processor you've got. We should expect to see AMD launch its new Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor at CES 2026, as well as the new 9950X3D2 processor, too.