I'm in the process of building my PC and currently have an RTX 5070 Ti and a 9800X3D. However, I'm considering returning the CPU because I've been told that the difference in performance between the 7600X and the 9800X3D isn't very significant for most games. Given that the price difference is about 90% in favor of the 7600X where I live, I'm wondering if it's worth keeping the 9800X3D. My build is primarily for gaming (including racing sims like iRacing and VR games on my Quest 2), but I also use office apps and browse the internet often. I'm looking for convincing reasons to justify the higher cost of the 9800X3D before deciding on whether to switch to the 7600X.
5 Answers
The 7600X3D is also a solid option if you're getting it for close to MSRP. Just make sure the performance jump is worth it for your gaming style.
If you're mainly into racing games, definitely keep the 9800X3D. It's optimized for those and will give you the edge you need. I switched from a 7800X to a 9800X3D for iRacing and the difference is noticeable, so for a sim-centric build, I'd stick with it if you can.
In my experience with 4K, my GPU performance overshadowed CPU differences, but for games like iRacing, having the extra processing power helps.
Honestly, if you don’t need the extra cash right now, I'd suggest keeping the 9800X3D. It's known to perform better in racing sims and gaming in general. A lot of people overestimate the need for the X3D chips, but if you're already set up with a solid graphics card, sticking with what you've got will probably serve you better in the long run. Returning it might not be worth the hassle unless you're just looking to save some money.
I appreciate that! I just want to make sure I'm spending money wisely.
Totally get that! Many gamers wouldn’t even notice the difference, but for some simulations, the X3D really shines.
It really depends on how you use your system. If you're multitasking a lot while gaming, then the extra cores from something like the 7700X or 7900X might benefit you more. However, if you're mostly gaming, the 7600X could save you money without a massive drop in performance. Just think about how often you'll have multiple apps open while you game; if that's the case, keep the 9800X3D.
I do tend to run multiple apps; I've got four screens hooked up!
Oh definitely, that's quite a setup! If you're constantly multitasking, the 9800X3D sounds like the right choice even if it costs more.
I’ve found a significant performance leap going from a 5950X to a 9950X3D. Even at higher resolutions, the gains were substantial. Just something to keep in mind when comparing CPUs.
Which GPU were you pairing it with?
That can definitely influence the experience; always good to know!
What kind of differences did you experience?