Is X3D Worth It?! - AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D vs AMD Ryzen 9 7950X w/ RTX 4090 (Gameplay Benchmarks)

Summary

In this video, the AMD Ryzen 7950X3D is put to the test against the 7950X to see if it can eliminate bottlenecking when paired with the powerful RTX 4090. The video compares gaming performance in titles like **Returnal**, **Hogwarts Legacy**, **Company of Heroes 3**, and **Call of Duty Warzone**, evaluating FPS, CPU utilization, and how much extra performance the 7950X3D offers. While the 7950X3D shows improvements in certain games, it's not a game-changer for everyone. It’s an excellent choice for high-end setups, but gamers with lower-tier GPUs or resolutions might not notice a drastic difference.

Takeaways

• 😀 The AMD Ryzen 7950 X3D is positioned as the world's fastest gaming CPU, designed to eliminate CPU bottlenecks when paired with the RTX 4090 GPU.
• 🎮 Despite the powerful GPU, earlier CPUs often cause bottlenecking, even at 4K resolution, especially in demanding games.
• 🔧 The 7950 X3D offers significant performance improvements in gaming by leveraging its 3D V-Cache, with AMD claiming up to 30% better performance in some scenarios.
• 🖥️ Performance results vary depending on the game and settings; some titles show a large FPS boost, while others benefit less from the 3D V-Cache.
• 📊 In the *Returnal* test, even with DLSS set to 'Balance', GPU utilization was not maxed out, indicating a CPU bottleneck in some areas.
• ⚡ The 7950X 3D provides better results than its predecessor, the 7950X, particularly in games like *Warzone* and *Hogwarts Legacy*, showing increased FPS and smoother gameplay.
• 💡 Lowering the resolution to 1440p often reduces GPU utilization, further exposing CPU bottlenecks that can limit performance, even with the 4090.
• 🕹️ *Company of Heroes 3* surprisingly did not show much benefit from the 3D V-Cache, highlighting that not all games will see huge performance gains.
• 🔎 While the 7950 X3D offers notable improvements in FPS, it may not be necessary for users with mid-range GPUs like the 4070 Ti or 7900 XTX, where other CPUs could suffice.
• 💸 Users looking to build a high-end gaming PC should consider the 7950 X3D for maximum FPS potential, but not everyone will need to upgrade from a 7950X.
• 💥 The test results emphasize the importance of balancing CPU and GPU power to avoid over-investing in a CPU when the GPU is the limiting factor.

Q & A

What makes the Ryzen 7950X3D special compared to its predecessor?

The Ryzen 7950X3D features additional 3D V-Cache, which is designed to enhance gaming performance by reducing CPU bottlenecks, particularly when paired with high-end GPUs like the RTX 4090.

How does the Ryzen 7950X perform when paired with an RTX 4090 in gaming?

The Ryzen 7950X, while powerful, often experiences bottlenecking in certain games, even at 4K resolution with an RTX 4090. This means the GPU is underutilized in some cases, limiting performance.

What role does GPU utilization play in the gaming performance test?

GPU utilization is a key indicator of how well the CPU is supporting the GPU. High utilization (close to 100%) indicates optimal GPU performance, while lower utilization suggests a CPU bottleneck.

Which games were used to test the Ryzen 7950X3D's performance?

The games tested included *Returnal*, *Hogwarts Legacy*, *Company of Heroes 3*, and *Warzone*, with varying resolutions and settings to evaluate CPU-GPU performance.

Why does the 7950X3D perform better in some games but not in others?

The 7950X3D's performance gains are most noticeable in games that are CPU-intensive or benefit from the additional cache. However, less demanding games like *Company of Heroes 3* don't show significant differences between the X and X3D versions.

How does the Ryzen 7950X3D handle 4K gaming with the RTX 4090?

At 4K, the Ryzen 7950X3D significantly reduces CPU bottlenecking, ensuring better performance with an RTX 4090 compared to the 7950X. However, some minor bottlenecks still occur at certain points in the game.

What happens when you lower the resolution to 1440p while using the Ryzen 7950X3D?

Lowering the resolution to 1440p increases GPU utilization and improves frame rates. For example, in *Hogwarts Legacy*, the frame rate improved by about 13-14% when switching from 4K to 1440p.

Does the 7950X3D always provide a performance boost in every game?

No, the 7950X3D's performance boost is not universal. In some less demanding games, like *Company of Heroes 3*, the performance is similar to the 7950X, showing that the extra 3D V-Cache isn't always beneficial.

Which CPU model is recommended for gamers looking for the best FPS with an RTX 4090?

The Ryzen 7950X3D is recommended for gamers aiming for the highest FPS with an RTX 4090, as it reduces CPU bottlenecks more effectively than the standard 7950X.

Is upgrading to an X3D model worth it for gamers using mid-range GPUs?

For gamers using mid-range GPUs like the RTX 4070 Ti, the 7950X3D may not provide a noticeable performance improvement, making it a less cost-effective choice compared to other options.