Hey there! I'm on the hunt for a powerful new gaming CPU for my system. I primarily play games like Dwarf Fortress that really push the CPU's limits with tons of calculations. A while back, I was recommended the 7800x3d, but I've recently noticed the 9800x3d has hit the market. I'd really appreciate your suggestions on which CPU I should go for. Also, if you have any recommendations for a compatible motherboard, that would be awesome, but no pressure if it breaks any rules!
7 Answers
Honestly, if you're not gaming at 1080p or planning on getting a 5090 GPU, you don't need to stress too much about the CPU. The graphics card should be your top priority—something like a 7700x or even lower would still work fine for a high-end GPU at 1440p or 4k, unless you're really into CPU-heavy games.
Get the 9800x3d if you can! The 9950x3d is better for productivity, but for pure gaming, they're pretty comparable. And remember, your GPU will make the big difference in FPS, especially at higher resolutions. If you're gaming at 1080p or lower, I'd say go with the 7800x3d—otherwise, grab a 7700 with a B650 motherboard and invest more in your GPU.
If you're considering a strong upgrade path, the 9950x3d is only a small step up from the 9800x3d, depending on what you're focused on. As for motherboards, just pick one that has the connectivity options you need, but I'd steer clear of ASRock this generation.
If you need guidance on building your PC, the website pcpartpicker.com is fantastic for checking compatibility and getting price comparisons. You can also look into r/buildapcforme for more personalized help!
In terms of performance, I'd rank them like this: 9800x3d > 7800x3d > 9700x (only worth it if the price is right) > 7700/x > 9600/x > 7600/x > 7500f > 7400f. If the 7600x3d is on the table, it beats the 9700x too. The 9800x3d is the best option unless it’s overpriced compared to the 7800x3d, which was already a top performer when it launched. For a motherboard, any good B850 like the Gigabyte Gaming X will do, but if you want cooler features like error code display, check out the X870 Aorus Elite or Tomahawk.
I think you might not need to go that grand on the motherboard. Anything that's not A620/B840 should be perfectly fine.
Both the 7800 and 9800x3d are solid choices. Just grab an AM5 motherboard that fits your budget and has the features you want, and you should be all set!
I recommend checking out deals on Newegg for bundles that include the CPU, RAM, and motherboard. It guarantees compatibility, and it’s what I ended up doing!
Thanks for suggesting that website! It looks super useful.