AMD leaks new entry-level Ryzen 5 9600X3D CPU — new gaming-optimized 3D V-Cache chip expected before the end of the year

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X3D becomes more affordable.

AMD Ryzen 9000 CPU
(Image credit: AMD)

AMD has confirmed the existence of several upcoming processors, including a new entry-level Ryzen 5 9600X3D desktop CPU featuring its popular gaming-optimized 3D V-Cache technology. In its latest driver release notes for the Radeon RX 9070, 9070 XT, 9060 XT, and the Radeon AI PRO R9700 graphics card for AI workstations, the company has listed the Ryzen 5 9600X3D, alongside other unreleased chips under the Ryzen 9000 PRO series.

The Ryzen X3D range of processors has been a popular choice, particularly among gamers, due to their enhanced 3D V-Cache technology. This helps boost gaming performance by offering a larger L3 cache memory, which allows the CPU to access game data faster, resulting in higher frame rates and smoother gameplay. The addition of the Ryzen 5 9600X3D not only expands AMD's X3D lineup, but it also becomes a new entry point for gamers and PC builders who want the latest Zen 5 and AM5 platforms paired with 3D V-cache.

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Kunal Khullar
Kunal Khullar
News Contributor

Kunal Khullar is a contributing writer at Tom’s Hardware.  He is a long time technology journalist and reviewer specializing in PC components and peripherals, and welcomes any and every question around building a PC.

13 Comments Comment from the forums
  • usertests
    CPUMSRPStreet9600X$279$1809700X$359$305-3209800X3D$479$470
    9600X3D MSRP? Maybe $300.
    Reply
  • thestryker
    Glad to see that they're doing another 6 core SKU as these seem to be a great gaming performance value option.

    I know there's more margin to be had at the x900X3D level, but the x600X3D has got to be selling at a much higher volume. It seems to me that the smart play for AMD would be to not release a 12 core model at all and just keep those CCDs for the eventual 6 core model release.
    Reply
  • lmcnabney
    The 9800X3D dies with a bad core or two needed to go somewhere. The yields must have been really good if they won't have enough to create a product line until Q3.
    Reply
  • Eximo
    lmcnabney said:
    The 9800X3D dies with a bad core or two needed to go somewhere. The yields must have been really good if they won't have enough to create a product line until Q3.
    Theoretically these would be chips they binned to be 9800X3D originally, but failed the packaging steps.

    Or they were just consuming the chips for the 9900X3D until sales of that model stagnated.
    Reply
  • usertests
    thestryker said:
    I know there's more margin to be had at the x900X3D level, but the x600X3D has got to be selling at a much higher volume. It seems to me that the smart play for AMD would be to not release a 12 core model at all and just keep those CCDs for the eventual 6 core model release.
    Zen 6 X3D will be fascinating. With the move to 12-core chiplets, the standard single-CCD X3D model will have 12 cores, and it will be great. But nobody needs that many cores for gaming yet, so if 8-core or 10-core X3D becomes available, it would be an obvious choice while matching or beating the 9800X3D in core count. The multi-threading performance of 8-10 Zen 6 cores should be acceptable for most users.

    It would be a great time for AMD to cancel a dual-CCD 9900X3D successor, and make people choose between 12 or 24 cores instead of offering 16/20 in the middle. Then provide more supply for the lower model. Probably with a staggered release to not undercut the 12-core.
    Eximo said:
    Theoretically these would be chips they binned to be 9800X3D originally, but failed the packaging steps.

    Or they were just consuming the chips for the 9900X3D until sales of that model stagnated.
    Here's what AnandTech said about the 5600X3D in 2023:
    Hardware-wise, I’m a bit surprised to see that AMD has enough of these harvested chips to even bother with a salvage run. The intricate die stacking required to place a V-cache die on a CCD means that there’s no reason AMD should be placing the cache on anything less than a perfect, 8 core Zen 3 CCD. Still, it would seem that either the CCD validation process or the stacking process is imprecise enough that a few less-than-perfect parts still make it through the cracks. And hey, it makes for some good conversational hardware.
    I don't think the packaging can be allowed to fail, it would be all or nothing. There must be some intent to put cache chiplets on top of 6 good core CCDs, or what was thought to be 8 good cores, but the completed X3D product didn't make the final validation cut.
    Reply
  • mwestall
    usertests said:
    Zen 6 X3D will be fascinating. With the move to 12-core chiplets, the standard single-CCD X3D model will have 12 cores, and it will be great. But nobody needs that many cores for gaming yet, so if 8-core or 10-core X3D becomes available, it would be an obvious choice while matching or beating the 9800X3D in core count. The multi-threading performance of 8-10 Zen 6 cores should be acceptable for most users.

    It would be a great time for AMD to cancel a dual-CCD 9900X3D successor, and make people choose between 12 or 24 cores instead of offering 16/20 in the middle. Then provide more supply for the lower model. Probably with a staggered release to not undercut the 12-core.

    Here's what AnandTech said about the 5600X3D in 2023:

    I don't think the packaging can be allowed to fail, it would be all or nothing. There must be some intent to put cache chiplets on top of 6 good core CCDs, or what was thought to be 8 good cores, but the completed X3D product didn't make the final validation cut.
    Some people need productivity and gaming, hence high core count x3d models. The world most definitely does not revolve around gaming.
    Reply
  • usertests
    mwestall said:
    Some people need productivity and gaming, hence high core count x3d models. The world most definitely does not revolve around gaming.
    They can get the 24-core model instead of an intermediate 16-20 core option. But the multi-threading performance of 12-core Zen 6 is going to be significant, probably around a 7950X or faster. Most people won't need more, and if they do they can pay for it.
    Reply
  • Roland Of Gilead
    mwestall said:
    hence high core count x3d models
    Neither does the world of gaming revolve around an X3D part! Just sayin.
    Reply
  • Roland Of Gilead
    usertests said:
    Most people won't need more,
    Most implies maybe 70-80% of people. Higher core count CPU's don't sell as much as the midrange CPU's do.

    IMO, most consumers don't need more than 6/8 cores which is perfectly fine. Midrange is where most of the chips sell. Balance of cores and performance. Not everyone wants or needs a bleeding edge chip.
    Reply
  • User of Computers
    lmcnabney said:
    The 9800X3D dies with a bad core or two needed to go somewhere. The yields must have been really good if they won't have enough to create a product line until Q3.
    That's not how binning works. They'd just package the defective dies into either 9600Xs or throw them into a CPU that has fewer than 6 cores per CCD enabled (I'm not sure if there are any in the Zen 5 range across server and desktop)
    Reply