A recommended gaming CPU
Consensus score: 95, reflecting Tom’s Hardware’s Editor’s Choice verdict and its continued 2026 recommendation as the value gaming CPU even after the 9850X3D refresh.
AMD launched the 9800X3D at $479 (street often lower since). Tom’s Hardware’s Paul Alcorn (6 Nov 2024) measured it beating the Core i9-14900K by about 30% and the Core Ultra 9 285K by about 35% in their gaming suite — numbers so large the review leans on them in the dek.
Lab signals
| Outlet | Verdict | Key number |
|---|---|---|
| Tom’s Hardware | Editor’s Choice | ~30–35% gaming lead vs Intel flagships in suite |
| Tom’s Best CPUs (2026) | Still #1 value pick | 9850X3D only ~3% faster, costs more |
Who the labs say should buy
Buy for gaming-first AM5 builds. Pick a higher-core non-X3D if your week is mostly compiles and exports — Tom’s productivity pages still show Intel and non-X3D Ryzen ahead there. In 2026 Tom’s kept recommending the 9800X3D over the 9850X3D on price-for-performance.
Sources checked 15 Oct 2026: Tom’s Hardware 9800X3D review and Best CPUs roundup.
