If speculations are true, a dual 3D V-Cache Ryzen processor from AMD may be under development, despite AMD claiming cost and ineffectiveness for gaming.
Rumors are swirling in the tech community about AMD's potential release of a new Ryzen 9 CPU, featuring a significant upgrade in the form of dual 3D V-Cache. If confirmed, this processor would mark a departure from AMD's previous desktop CPUs, offering a substantial boost in L3 cache capacity and potentially redefining the high-end gaming and enthusiast market.
The L3 cache in Ryzen chips functions as a victim cache, storing data booted out of a core's L2 cache when there's no room for it. The proposed Ryzen 9 CPU, if released, would boast an impressive 192 MB of L3 cache, a significant increase from the current Ryzen 9 9950X3D's 128 MB with one 3D V-Cache CCD.
The key reasons behind this potential development include catering to the enthusiast market, product differentiation, and workstation/server precedent. Enthusiasts and PC gamers are willing to pay premium prices for extreme performance and cutting-edge hardware, as demonstrated by the acceptance of very expensive GPUs like Nvidia's RTX 5090.
Moreover, the rumored Ryzen 9 with 16 cores, dual 3D V-Cache CCDs, and 200W TDP would surpass current models in terms of multi-threaded and gaming performance. This could appeal to enthusiasts and professionals, offering a high-end upgrade option for the AM4 platform.
AMD has previously argued that adding 3D V-Cache to both CCDs in a desktop Ryzen CPU would be expensive and of little real benefit for gaming, due to the diminishing returns from doubling 3D V-Cache and cache latency between CCDs limiting scaling. However, some sources claim that the dual-3D V-Cache Ryzen rumors might be premature or even fake, citing inter-die latency and matching specs with existing CPUs.
Despite these concerns, the rumor persists in enthusiast circles due to the potential performance gains and market appetite. If true, this move could extend AMD's Ryzen 9000 series product stack beyond current offerings, capitalising on the high sales of Nvidia's RTX 5090 graphics cards.
Nick Evanson, a writer with a history of correct claims about future AMD chips, has also mentioned the possibility of the Ryzen 7 5700X3D. Evanson, who started his interest in gaming and computers in 1981 with a Sinclair ZX81, has a background in physics and IT teaching and has written for various tech sites including Madonion, Beyond3D.com, and TechSpot.com.
The guide also includes recommendations for the best budget, mid-range, and high-end CPUs, as well as the best CPU for GPU graphics. The Ryzen 7 8700G is currently considered the best CPU for GPU graphics, while the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains the overall best CPU according to the guide. If the rumor is true, the Ryzen 9 5700X3D, if released, would not be the first high-end CPU with 3D V-Cache; the Ryzen 9 9950X3D already has this feature.
AMD developed its 3D V-Cache technology to greatly increase the L3 cache capacity without making the chips massively bigger. This technology means that many games would benefit from this upgrade, as it means the cores don't have to wait for data to be hauled over from system memory.
In summary, if the rumors are true, AMD might be releasing a Ryzen 9 CPU with both CCDs packed with 3D V-Cache to cater to extreme high-performance users willing to pay more, despite cost and technical challenges. This would extend their Ryzen 9000 series product stack beyond current offerings, offering a cheaper alternative to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and pushing performance boundaries in the enthusiast market.
[1] ComputerBase [2] Wccftech [3] TechPowerUp [4] TechRadar [5] Tom's Hardware
- The proposed Ryzen 9 CPU, if released, is expected to have an impressive 192 MB of L3 cache, a significant increase from the current model.
- This potential development is aimed at catering to enthusiasts and PC gamers who are willing to pay premium prices for high performance and cutting-edge hardware.
- The Ryzen 9 CPU, featuring dual 3D V-Cache, is expected to surpass current models in terms of multi-threaded and gaming performance.
- AMD's 3D V-Cache technology, designed to increase L3 cache capacity without making the chips larger, would benefit many games by reducing the wait time for data from system memory.
- If confirmed, AMD's new Ryzen 9 CPU could appeal to professionals and enthusiasts alike, offering a high-end upgrade option for the AM4 platform.
- Some sources have expressed concerns about the feasibility of the dual-3D V-Cache Ryzen, citing inter-die latency and matching specs with existing CPUs.
- If the rumors about AMD's upcoming release are true, the new Ryzen 9 CPU could extend their Ryzen 9000 series product stack beyond current offerings, offering a cheaper alternative to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and pushing performance boundaries in the enthusiast market. [Sources: ComputerBase, Wccftech, TechPowerUp, TechRadar, Tom's Hardware]
