The time has lastly come – the showdown between AMD’s greatest and Intel’s greatest: the Ryzen 7 9800X3D versus the highly effective Core i9-14900K. These two high-performance gaming CPUs go head-to-head throughout 45 video games in an in depth comparability.
The 9800X3D claimed the efficiency crown based mostly on our preliminary overview information, which coated 14 video games. Now, it is time to see how these processors stack up throughout a large vary of video games.
We lately in contrast the 9800X3D with the Core Extremely 9 285K, and it was a troublesome matchup for Intel when focusing solely on gaming efficiency. On common, the 9800X3D delivered 24% better gaming efficiency throughout the 45 video games examined, with no important examples of the Ryzen processor falling behind, aside from outcomes inside the margin of error.
Nonetheless, the Core i9-14900K stays Intel’s strongest processor for gaming, so it is anticipated to carry out higher, however even then it might become a tough match up with the 9800X3D.
For this testing, all gaming benchmarks are performed at 1080p utilizing the GeForce RTX 4090. Should you’re curious why this method is the simplest method to consider CPU efficiency for gaming, try our explainer right here for additional rationalization. The 14900K has been examined with the intense profile utilizing DDR5-7200 reminiscence, whereas the 9800X3D has been examined at inventory settings with DDR5-6000 reminiscence.
Benchmarks
The Final of Us, Cyberpunk, Hogwarts Legacy, ACC, Spider-Man
For our first batch of video games, we begin with The Final of Us Half 1, the place the 9800X3D delivers a median efficiency enhance of 24% or 30% quicker when evaluating 1% lows. Whereas reaching nicely over 140 fps is probably not important to take pleasure in The Final of Us Half 1, these outcomes counsel that the 9800X3D will supply a big benefit in future, extra demanding titles.
The pattern continues with Cyberpunk 2077. Though the efficiency offered by the 14900K is already spectacular, the 9800X3D outperforms it by a median of 33%, which is a outstanding margin.
Excessive-refresh-rate players will particularly admire the 9800X3D’s efficiency in Hogwarts Legacy. Right here, the Ryzen processor achieves a median body charge of 170 fps in comparison with the 14900K’s 124 fps, a 37% benefit. The 1% lows are equally important, with the 9800X3D hitting 86 fps in comparison with the competitors.
In Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC), the distinction is dramatic, with the 9800X3D rendering 269 fps, an astonishing 61% quicker than the 14900K. Equally, in Spider-Man, the margin narrows to 23%, however the AMD processor nonetheless comes out forward by a noteworthy quantity.
Baldur’s Gate 3, Homeworld 3, APTR, Flight Simulator, Starfield
Subsequent, we now have Baldur’s Gate 3, the place the 9800X3D outperforms the 14900K by 27%, reaching 176 fps on common with 1% lows of 122 fps. In Homeworld 3, the efficiency positive aspects are placing, with the Ryzen processor delivering a 52% greater common body charge and a powerful 110% enchancment in 1% lows.
In A Plague Story: Requiem, the 9800X3D delivers a 31% efficiency benefit, rising the typical body charge from 149 fps to 195 fps. Equally, in Microsoft Flight Simulator, there’s a 30% enchancment in common body charges, though the 1% lows stay comparable. In Starfield, whereas the typical body charge improve is extra modest at 11%, the 1% lows see a 22% enhance, enhancing total gameplay smoothness.
Horizon Forbidden West, Horizon Zero Daybreak, Watch Canines, Far Cry 6, T&L
Transferring to the subsequent set of outcomes, we start with Horizon Forbidden West, the place the 9800X3D is 11% quicker. Traditionally, such a margin would have been thought-about important for flagship processors from AMD and Intel. Equally, in Horizon Zero Daybreak, the 9800X3D holds a 16% lead.
Regardless of being an older title, Watch Canines Legion reveals spectacular positive aspects with the 9800X3D, delivering a 29% enchancment in common body charges and a large 50% enhance in 1% lows. The margins slender in Far Cry 6, the place the X3D CPU is 13% quicker. Lastly, in Throne and Liberty, the 14900K edges out the competitors by a slim 2% margin, falling inside the margin of error.
This detailed evaluation highlights how the 9800X3D persistently outpaces the 14900K throughout a variety of video games, usually delivering important efficiency uplifts which are notably precious for players in search of excessive body charges and clean gameplay.
Hitman 3, Callisto Protocol, SoTR, Halo, Warhammer 3
For our subsequent set of outcomes, we start with an older sport, Hitman 3, which stays CPU-demanding however is much less CPU-limited than many trendy titles, provided that body charges exceed 200 fps. Curiously, the 14900K and 9800X3D are carefully matched right here, with the Ryzen 7 processor main by a slim 5% margin.
Subsequent, in The Callisto Protocol, the 3D V-Cache processor demonstrated a 24% common efficiency benefit, although 1% lows had been practically an identical between the 2 CPUs.
Whereas efficiency was comparable in Hitman 3, that is removed from the case in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Right here, the 9800X3D delivered a big 28% common efficiency enhance and a fair bigger 47% enchancment in 1% lows.
In Halo Infinite, nonetheless, the 9800X3D underperformed relative to expectations. The 14900K got here out forward by 6%, though the 1% lows had been greater on the Ryzen 7 processor. Equally, in Warhammer III, the 14900K was simply 2% quicker, making the general efficiency between the 2 CPUs practically an identical.
Black Ops 6, Borderlands 3, Riftbreaker, Remnant 2, SWJS
Transferring to the subsequent set of outcomes, we begin with Black Ops 6, the place the 9800X3D offered 19% better common efficiency and a considerable 27% enhance to 1% lows. In Borderlands 3, the Ryzen 7 processor confirmed a 16% benefit, marking a noteworthy achieve.
The efficiency benefit continued with The Rift Breaker, the place the 9800X3D was 24% quicker – a surprisingly giant margin when evaluating flagship CPUs. Positive aspects had been much more pronounced in Remnant II at 32% and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor at 37%.
Struggle Thunder, Cranium and Bones, Returnal, Ratchet & Clank, Dying Mild 2
For these in search of greater body charges in Struggle Thunder, the 9800X3D delivered 397 fps within the CPU benchmark, making it 21% quicker than the 14900K. Nonetheless, in Cranium and Bones, Returnal, and Ratchet & Clank, each CPUs carried out equally, as these video games had been closely GPU-limited. In Dying Mild 2, the Ryzen 7 processor pulled forward with an 11% efficiency benefit – an inexpensive margin.
Forza Horizon 5, Forza Motorsport, Gears 5, Ghost of Tsushima, Hunt
As anticipated, the Forza video games had been GPU-limited, using minimal CPU sources, leading to an identical efficiency from each processors. That was not the case in Gears 5, the place the 9800X3D was 41% quicker on common and a powerful 62% quicker in 1% lows. In Ghost of Tsushima, the Ryzen 7 processor achieved an 11% efficiency benefit, whereas no significant distinction was noticed in Hunt: Showdown.
World Struggle Z, F1 24, Rainbow Six Siege, Counter-Strike 2, Fortnite
For the subsequent set of video games, the 9800X3D persistently delivered important positive aspects. In World Struggle Z, efficiency was 20% greater, adopted by a 13% improve in F1 24. Positive aspects continued with an 18% uplift in Rainbow Six Siege, a 29% enhance in Counter-Strike 2, and a 28% enchancment in Fortnite. These outcomes present robust across-the-board benefits for the Ryzen 7 processor.
Murderer’s Creed x2, House Marine 2, SW Outlaws, Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Lastly, we take a look at the final 5 video games examined. In Murderer’s Creed Mirage, the 9800X3D delivered 15% higher efficiency, which was greater than the modest 3% enchancment seen in Valhalla. A very CPU-limited sport, House Marine 2, noticed the Ryzen 7 processor outperforming the 14900K by 23%, rendering a median of 138 fps.
In Star Wars Outlaws, body charges had been capped at simply over 140 fps in our take a look at scene, doubtless because of limitations inside the sport itself. Lastly, in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the 9800X3D was 11% quicker than the 14900K.
45 Sport Common
On common, we discovered that the 9800X3D is eighteen% quicker than the 14900K. That is notably decrease than the 27% margin noticed in our day-one overview, however that earlier information excluded many GPU-limited titles, such because the Forza video games.
Even so, there was just one occasion the place the 9800X3D was slower, and that was in Halo Infinite, the place it trailed by a 5% margin. Out of the 45 video games examined, the Ryzen 7 processor was solely 5% quicker or much less in 11 video games.
For the overwhelming majority of video games, nonetheless, the efficiency margin was in double digits, with over 20 titles exhibiting positive aspects exceeding 20%. This clearly demonstrates that the 9800X3D is considerably quicker than the 14900K in gaming.
Wanting on the 1% lows, we noticed an identical total margin. The 9800X3D was 22% quicker on common, with the standout instance being Homeworld 3, the place it delivered an astonishing 110% efficiency enchancment. Notably, there have been no situations the place the Ryzen 7 processor was slower by way of 1% lows.
What We Discovered: Possibly Subsequent Time, Intel
Should you’re after the very best gaming efficiency, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the plain CPU to decide on. The 14900K ought to not be thought-about a viable competitor. This was arguably true even with the 7800X3D, which traded blows with the 14900K extra evenly. With the 9800X3D, the benefit is decisively one-sided.
Energy consumption has all the time been a priority for the Core i9 collection. Whereas we did not consider energy utilization on this overview, the state of affairs hasn’t modified – the 14900K consumes considerably extra energy whereas usually delivering much less efficiency.
The one draw back to the 9800X3D at current is availability. Ever since its launch, it has been troublesome to search out in inventory. We have managed to buy a couple of items on the beneficial retail worth of $480, however because of excessive demand, retailers are having bother maintaining them in inventory.
That stated, availability will enhance over time, so this challenge is probably going short-term. If you will discover the 9800X3D on the $480 MSRP, it is a superb deal, particularly contemplating that the 14900K nonetheless prices round $450. Nonetheless, the 7800X3D seems to have just about disappeared, with no availability for over a month now.
When it comes to gaming efficiency, there is not a lot left to investigate – the 9800X3D is worlds quicker than the 285K and considerably quicker than the 14900K.
For these already utilizing the 7800X3D, upgrading to the 9800X3D is not price it for almost all of customers, until absolute peak efficiency is a necessity. Realistically, rather more inexpensive processors, such because the Ryzen 7 7700, are adequate for many trendy gaming wants.
