AMD 9000X3D rumor suggests next-gen CPUs will be the same as current X3D gaming chips spec-wise – but that’s no reason to panic

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D up close
(Image credit: Future)

AMD has next-generation X3D processors inbound to follow its imminent Ryzen 9000 CPUs, but the chatter on the grapevine is that they’ll stick with the same configuration as current 7000X3D chips – with the same models available, boasting the same amount of 3D V-Cache.

The 3D V-Cache is the special ingredient that makes an X3D processor, and helps to push it faster for certain tasks – notably PC gaming – but Team Red will stick with the same loadouts for Ryzen 9000X3D, or so Wccftech believes.

The tech site states that this is from the usual anonymous sources – so stay skeptical, as ever – who have also spilled details on the chips that’ll form the next-gen Zen 5 3D V-Cache offerings.

We’re told there’ll be a trio of processors comprising the flagship Ryzen 9 9950X3D (16-cores), Ryzen 9 9900X3D (12-cores), and Ryzen 7 9800X3D (8-cores).

With AMD sticking to its cache specs from the current generation, this means the 9800X3D will, in theory, run with 64MB of 3D V-Cache and a total of 96MB of L3 cache.


Analysis: Not a rehash...

That line-up of processors is as expected, really, sticking with the current formula for the three available X3D chips. Mind you, some eyebrows have been raised at the 9900X3D, seeing as the 7900X3D wasn’t well-received (as we outlined in our review back at the time, there are reasons why the 12-core variant didn’t make sense).

The news about the amount of 3D V-Cache used with 9000X3D, and Team Red supposedly sticking with the same loadouts, is more surprising, though, especially given some previous speculation that AMD might ramp up said cache.

However, even if 9000X3D processors do come to fruition exactly as rumored here, that doesn’t mean they won’t be any faster than 7000X3D. It’s a new generation of silicon, and AMD must ensure that the processors are quicker – that is, of course, a given.

Architectural improvements will give 9000X3D CPUs a clear boost over current-gen 3D V-Cache, and what’s more, we’ve already been told that AMD has other tricks up its sleeve for making some of the best gaming CPUs even faster.

Remember that AMD marketing exec Donny Woligroski has already said that Ryzen 9000X3D has some “really, really cool updates” and that “we’re working on iterating and not just rehashing it,” so those are promising hints indeed.

Those additional features are likely to include overclocking, and the ability to manually juice up X3D for the first time ever (subject to some limitations, no doubt, based on how 3D V-Cache works).

If the rumors are right, 9000X3D processors could arrive much sooner than we thought, too, perhaps debuting in September.

You might also like

TOPICS

Darren is a freelancer writing news and features for TechRadar (and occasionally T3) across a broad range of computing topics including CPUs, GPUs, various other hardware, VPNs, antivirus and more. He has written about tech for the best part of three decades, and writes books in his spare time (his debut novel - 'I Know What You Did Last Supper' - was published by Hachette UK in 2013).

Read more
An AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on a desk on top of its retail packaging
AMD declares battle of Ryzen 9950X3D vs 9800X3D for gaming will be a dead heat – so gamers may as well buy the cheaper CPU
AMD Ryzen 9950X
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D announced at CES 2025
AMD Ryzen 5 2500X
AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU could be on sale soon – but I’m still worried about the price
Render of AMD Ryzen chip
AMD’s powerful Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D CPUs rumored to arrive on March 12 – but gamers will still be better off with the 9800X3D
AMD Ryzen 9000 3D chips
AMD officially announces price and release date for Ryzen 9 9900X3D and 9950X3D processors
A stock photo of a man saying 'no thank you' to a gift box bearing the AMD Ryzen logo.
I'm tired of waiting for AMD's entry-level Ryzen 9000 series chips
Latest in CPU
The main battle pass characters in Fortnite Lawless, including Midas, Sub Zero and a large wolf-man
You'll finally be able to play Fortnite on Windows 11 Arm-powered laptops as Epic Games partners with Qualcomm
Ryzen 9000 promotional material
AMD's most powerful processor ever actually runs better on Windows 10 than Windows 11
An AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D on its retail packaging
I've reviewed three generations of 3D V-cache processors, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the best there is
AMD Ryzen 9000 3D chips
AMD officially announces price and release date for Ryzen 9 9900X3D and 9950X3D processors
A chip wafer manufactured at Intel Foundry
Can 18A save Intel from being devoured by its rivals – and Wall Street?
A stock photo of a man saying 'no thank you' to a gift box bearing the AMD Ryzen logo.
I'm tired of waiting for AMD's entry-level Ryzen 9000 series chips
Latest in News
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #1147)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #378)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #644)
Three iPhone 16 handsets on show
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra this year – but we've heard these rumors before
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough