AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D listing hints at most affordable 3D V-Cache CPU yet — socket AM4 rides again

Ryzen 7000 3D V-Cache CPU
(Image credit: AMD)

AMD might be prepping another mainstream processor with 3D V-Cache, originally a premium feature aimed at gamers, if a new listing in the Eurasian Economic Union customs database is accurate. AMD's Ryzen 5 5500X3D discovered by @harukaze5719 promises to be the cheapest X3D processor from the company that will offer great single-thread performance, something that gamers want.

The listing in the EEU customers database does not guarantee that the product listed will ever be launched, so take the information about the Ryzen 5 5500X3D with a grain of salt for now. But truth be told, this is not the first mention of this CPU as blogger chi11eddog predicted the launch of a six-core Ryzen 5 5500X3D in late November 2023.

AMD's six-core Ryzen 5 5500X3D with 96 MB of L3 cache reportedly operates at 3.0 GHz – 4.0 GHz, so its single-thread performance will be similar to that of eight-core Ryzen 7 5700X3D (which has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz) and generally lower than that of other Ryzen 5000X3D processors with 3D V-Cache that feature boost clocks of 4.40 GHz – 4.50 GHz. However, this processor could be a fine choice for an inexpensive AM4 desktop aimed at gaming and applications that take advantage of ultra-large caches.

The listing in the customs database does not disclose the pricing of the upcoming Ryzen 5 5500X3D processor, though keeping in mind that the eight-core Ryzen 7 5700X3D can be purchased for $210, the six-core part should cost considerably less. 

Launching a new Zen 3-based CPU about four years after the release of the original Ryzen 5000-series parts may seem a bit odd, as most gamers would be inclined to choose a Zen 4 or Zen 5-based platform. However, it looks like AMD's partners have plenty of unsold AM4 motherboards, so AMD needs to keep the Ryzen 5000 family alive to let them sell these platforms. It also seems that AMD may have plenty of Ryzen 5000X3D processors in stock. The more expensive AM4 parts may not exactly find their customers as everyone who wanted a Ryzen 7 5800X3D has probably bought their processor years ago, so building cheaper Ryzen 5 5500X3D is a good way to sell off old silicon without decreasing average selling prices.

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Anton Shilov
Contributing Writer

Anton Shilov is a contributing writer at Tom’s Hardware. Over the past couple of decades, he has covered everything from CPUs and GPUs to supercomputers and from modern process technologies and latest fab tools to high-tech industry trends.

  • nightbird321
    Here's to hoping we'll see more than a slab of 64MB 3D cache this generation since they are handing these out so cheaply now.
    Reply
  • Notton
    No one remembers the microcenter exclusive 5600X3D?
    Reply
  • Roland Of Gilead
    Whilst the chip itself isn't anything we haven't seen already, it stands out to me even more than before the is the longevity of the AM4 socket. 7 years and still getting new CPU support! I'm not sure we'll ever see it again. Fair play, AMD.
    Reply
  • KermNelson2
    Well a really appreciate it. I'm on a Gigabyte X570 Gaming X and using a AMD 5 3600 so I'm looking to upgrade away from the security flaws that they won't fix on my 3000 series.
    Reply
  • Roland Of Gilead
    KermNelson2 said:
    Well a really appreciate it. I'm on a Gigabyte X570 Gaming X and using a AMD 5 3600 so I'm looking to upgrade away from the security flaws that they won't fix on my 3000 series.
    You've a nice selection of chips to choose from. I'd prob go for the 5700x3d if I were in your shoes.
    Reply
  • Makaveli
    nightbird321 said:
    Here's to hoping we'll see more than a slab of 64MB 3D cache this generation since they are handing these out so cheaply now.
    You will see it on the lower tier Zen 4 models I think before Lower tier on Zen 5
    Reply
  • usertests
    nightbird321 said:
    Here's to hoping we'll see more than a slab of 64MB 3D cache this generation since they are handing these out so cheaply now.
    Seems unlikely:
    AMD Ryzen 9000X3D “Zen 5” CPUs To Feature Same 3D V-Cache As Ryzen 7000X3D: 9950X & 9900X With 128 MB, 9800X3D With 96 MB L3
    Makaveli said:
    You will see it on the lower tier Zen 4 models I think before Lower tier on Zen 5
    nightbird is asking for more, like two cache chiplets, multiple layers, or something new.

    It looks like we won't get anything like that until Zen 6.
    Reply
  • King_V
    Intriguing no matter how you think about it. I'm definitely curious as to what the price ends up being.

    But if the reason for this is to help with selling AM4 motherboard inventory, maybe it's that the prices of those boards aren't coming down to where they should be? I was recently looking at getting a board to give my son's old 1600AF a home, and the price, even of budget boards, was more than I was willing to spend new, and used prices were sending me back looking at the new boards again.

    I lucked into a new (open box) B450 board on Ebay that was close to what I was looking for, with a price I was happy with. But that really was luck/good timing. It was cheaper than every used AM4 board I'd encountered thus far, outside of proprietary HP/Dell/etc boards.

    EDIT: I should specify that I was looking for A320, B350, and B450 boards, as wanted to have the option of the full range of AM4 CPUs in, rather than having Zen/Zen+ cut out of the picture.
    Reply
  • KermNelson2
    Roland Of Gilead said:
    You've a nice selection of chips to choose from. I'd prob go for the 5700x3d if I were in your shoes.
    Thanks Roland of Gilead, I've been debating TDP and cost on the whole 5000 series. As far as gaming my largest test is Stellaris w/ST New Horizons.
    Reply
  • Roland Of Gilead
    KermNelson2 said:
    Thanks Roland of Gilead, I've been debating TDP and cost on the whole 5000 series. As far as gaming my largest test is Stellaris w/ST New Horizons.
    That game isn't the most demanding. Do the mods cause more usage? Either way a 5700x3d will allow you to max that out with the right GPU, and allow for other more demanding games. The boost would be big for the most part. Good luck with whichever CPU when you get it :)
    Reply