I'm building my first PC and I'm stuck deciding between the 7800X3D and the 9800X3D, especially since they're only £50 apart during the Christmas sales (£349 vs. £399). I primarily play story-driven games like Red Dead Redemption 2, and I'm looking to dive into Cyberpunk, The Last of Us, and Silent Hill F. Occasionally, I play FPS games, too. Right now, I have a 1440p monitor but I'm considering upgrading to 4K gaming in the future if it's worth it. Any advice on which CPU would be a better fit for my setup?
4 Answers
If you're on a tight budget, the 7800X3D is decent too. Just keep in mind that you'll probably be GPU-bound most of the time. So, if you plan to keep upgrading and staying current, I'd suggest the 9800X3D for the longevity it offers. You'll enjoy a smoother experience overall.
If you're looking to save some cash, the 7800X3D is a solid option. But for just £50 more, I'd say go for the 9800X3D. It's got better performance in a lot of games, so it might be worth that extra spend! Also, think about looking into ultrawide 1440p monitors for your upgrade—they’re super nice for gaming and don’t break the bank as much as 4K.
Honestly, if the price difference is only £50, snag the 9800X3D. The performance gains in certain games can be pretty significant. Plus, both CPUs will likely last you a similar amount of time, so you might as well future-proof a bit!
Between those two, it's probably best to grab the 9800X3D for a slightly better experience, especially if you're gaming at 1440p or plan to go to 4K later. You won't regret the extra performance, and you can always resell it later if you decide to upgrade again.

Thanks for the input! I'm leaning towards the 9800X3D for that extra headroom in performance.