AMD Zen 5 Review: Ryzen 9 9900X vs. Ryzen 7 7800X3D in Gaming

SaddyTech’s Exclusive Gaming Review of Zen 5

Italian tech reviewer SaddyTech has secured an early sample of AMD’s highly anticipated Ryzen 9 9900X processor, just ahead of its official release next week. This exclusive review provides a comprehensive look at the gaming performance of the Ryzen 9 9900X, comparing it to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

Processor Specifications and Setup

The Ryzen 9 9900X, a 12-core CPU with a boost clock of up to 5.6 GHz, operates at a 120W TDP. Priced between €500 and €550, this processor is expected to make a significant impact in the market. SaddyTech’s review unit is a retail version, not an engineering sample, as confirmed by the 2424 laser engraving.

For the review, SaddyTech used a GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card paired with an X670 motherboard, and the CPU was cooled using a BeQuiet Dark Rock 4 air cooler.

Gaming Performance Analysis

In gaming tests, the Ryzen 9 9900X showed impressive performance but also revealed some drawbacks. For instance, in Counter-Strike 2, the 9900X required up to 107W of power, significantly more than the 53W needed by the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Temperature-wise, the 9900X ran at around 67°C, slightly higher than the 7800X3D’s 63°C. In more demanding games like Cyberpunk, the 9900X’s temperature soared to 82°C.

Conclusion: Ryzen 7 7800X3D Still a Better Choice?

Despite the Ryzen 9 9900X’s strong performance, SaddyTech concluded that the Ryzen 7 7800X3D remains a better choice for gamers, especially considering its expected lower price. However, AMD has yet to confirm the final pricing for these processors. The Ryzen 9000 series is set to officially launch on July 31.

Stay tuned for more updates and detailed reviews as we approach the launch date.

Source: Andreas Schilling via SaddyTech