AMD leaks new entry-level Ryzen 5 9600X3D CPU — new gaming-optimized 3D V-Cache chip expected before the end of the year

(Image credit: AMD)

AMD has confirmed the existence of several upcoming processors, including a new entry-level Ryzen 5 9600X3D desktop CPU featuring its popular gaming-optimized 3D V-Cache technology. In its latest driver release notes for the Radeon RX 9070, 9070 XT, 9060 XT, and the Radeon AI PRO R9700 graphics card for AI workstations, the company has listed the Ryzen 5 9600X3D, alongside other unreleased chips under the Ryzen 9000 PRO series.

The Ryzen X3D range of processors has been a popular choice, particularly among gamers, due to their enhanced 3D V-Cache technology. This helps boost gaming performance by offering a larger L3 cache memory, which allows the CPU to access game data faster, resulting in higher frame rates and smoother gameplay. The addition of the Ryzen 5 9600X3D not only expands AMD's X3D lineup, but it also becomes a new entry point for gamers and PC builders who want the latest Zen 5 and AM5 platforms paired with 3D V-cache.

A list of AMD CPUs mentioned in a recent graphics driver update — (Image credit: AMD)

While the specifications have not been listed or confirmed, if the company follows tradition, it's safe to surmise it will be very similar to the Ryzen 5 9600X. Essentially, we can expect six cores, 12 threads, boost clocks of up to 5.2 GHz, and a TDP of 65W. The 9600X comes with 32 MB of L3 cache, and it is expected that the 9600X3D will feature an additional 64 MB of second-generation 3D V-cache for a total of 96 MB of L3 cache.

According to MelodicWarrior (@MelodicWarrior1 on X), who first spotted the listed CPUs, the Ryzen 5 9600X3D will initially be offered to system integrators and is expected to roll out for the DIY market between the end of Q3 and the beginning of Q4 2025.

Additionally, the release notes mention the Ryzen 5 9600, a cut-down version of the 9600X, which was quietly launched back in January. Lastly, there are four new CPUs listed under the Ryzen 9000 PRO lineup, including the Ryzen 9 PRO 9945, Ryzen 7 PRO 9745, Ryzen 5 PRO 9645, and Ryzen 5 PRO 9400. There are no concrete details yet on whether these workstation and enterprise-focused CPUs will be based on the Granite Ridge architecture, like the rest of the Ryzen 9000 series.

Adding to the list of unreleased Ryzen 9000-series processors, the Ryzen 7 9700F was spotted a few days ago in an AGESA microcode update (1.2.0.3e) support documentation. The “F” designation suggests that the CPU will not feature an iGPU, similar to Intel’s naming scheme. Going by the naming convention, the 9700F is expected to offer the same core and thread count as the standard Ryzen 7 9700, including 8 cores and 16 threads, but missing out on the Radeon graphics. This particular chip could be an attempt by AMD to target budget-conscious gamers and builders who plan to use discrete GPUs, potentially allowing for lower pricing.

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Kunal Khullar is a contributing writer at Tom’s Hardware. He is a long time technology journalist and reviewer specializing in PC components and peripherals, and welcomes any and every question around building a PC.

9 Comments Comment from the forums

usertests

CPUMSRPStreet9600X$279$1809700X$359$305-3209800X3D$479$470
9600X3D MSRP? Maybe $300.
Reply
thestryker

Glad to see that they're doing another 6 core SKU as these seem to be a great gaming performance value option.

I know there's more margin to be had at the x900X3D level, but the x600X3D has got to be selling at a much higher volume. It seems to me that the smart play for AMD would be to not release a 12 core model at all and just keep those CCDs for the eventual 6 core model release.
Reply
lmcnabney

The 9800X3D dies with a bad core or two needed to go somewhere. The yields must have been really good if they won't have enough to create a product line until Q3.
Reply
Eximo

lmcnabney said:
The 9800X3D dies with a bad core or two needed to go somewhere. The yields must have been really good if they won't have enough to create a product line until Q3.
Theoretically these would be chips they binned to be 9800X3D originally, but failed the packaging steps.

Or they were just consuming the chips for the 9900X3D until sales of that model stagnated.
Reply
usertests

thestryker said:
I know there's more margin to be had at the x900X3D level, but the x600X3D has got to be selling at a much higher volume. It seems to me that the smart play for AMD would be to not release a 12 core model at all and just keep those CCDs for the eventual 6 core model release.
Zen 6 X3D will be fascinating. With the move to 12-core chiplets, the standard single-CCD X3D model will have 12 cores, and it will be great. But nobody needs that many cores for gaming yet, so if 8-core or 10-core X3D becomes available, it would be an obvious choice while matching or beating the 9800X3D in core count. The multi-threading performance of 8-10 Zen 6 cores should be acceptable for most users.

It would be a great time for AMD to cancel a dual-CCD 9900X3D successor, and make people choose between 12 or 24 cores instead of offering 16/20 in the middle. Then provide more supply for the lower model. Probably with a staggered release to not undercut the 12-core.

Eximo said:
Theoretically these would be chips they binned to be 9800X3D originally, but failed the packaging steps.

Or they were just consuming the chips for the 9900X3D until sales of that model stagnated.
Here's what AnandTech said about the 5600X3D in 2023:

Hardware-wise, I’m a bit surprised to see that AMD has enough of these harvested chips to even bother with a salvage run. The intricate die stacking required to place a V-cache die on a CCD means that there’s no reason AMD should be placing the cache on anything less than a perfect, 8 core Zen 3 CCD. Still, it would seem that either the CCD validation process or the stacking process is imprecise enough that a few less-than-perfect parts still make it through the cracks. And hey, it makes for some good conversational hardware.
I don't think the packaging can be allowed to fail, it would be all or nothing. There must be some intent to put cache chiplets on top of 6 good core CCDs, or what was thought to be 8 good cores, but the completed X3D product didn't make the final validation cut.
Reply
mwestall

usertests said:
Zen 6 X3D will be fascinating. With the move to 12-core chiplets, the standard single-CCD X3D model will have 12 cores, and it will be great. But nobody needs that many cores for gaming yet, so if 8-core or 10-core X3D becomes available, it would be an obvious choice while matching or beating the 9800X3D in core count. The multi-threading performance of 8-10 Zen 6 cores should be acceptable for most users.

It would be a great time for AMD to cancel a dual-CCD 9900X3D successor, and make people choose between 12 or 24 cores instead of offering 16/20 in the middle. Then provide more supply for the lower model. Probably with a staggered release to not undercut the 12-core.

Here's what AnandTech said about the 5600X3D in 2023:

I don't think the packaging can be allowed to fail, it would be all or nothing. There must be some intent to put cache chiplets on top of 6 good core CCDs, or what was thought to be 8 good cores, but the completed X3D product didn't make the final validation cut.
Some people need productivity and gaming, hence high core count x3d models. The world most definitely does not revolve around gaming.
Reply
usertests

mwestall said:
Some people need productivity and gaming, hence high core count x3d models. The world most definitely does not revolve around gaming.
They can get the 24-core model instead of an intermediate 16-20 core option. But the multi-threading performance of 12-core Zen 6 is going to be significant, probably around a 7950X or faster. Most people won't need more, and if they do they can pay for it.
Reply
Roland Of Gilead

mwestall said:
hence high core count x3d models
Neither does the world of gaming revolve around an X3D part! Just sayin.
Reply
Roland Of Gilead

usertests said:
Most people won't need more,
Most implies maybe 70-80% of people. Higher core count CPU's don't sell as much as the midrange CPU's do.

IMO, most consumers don't need more than 6/8 cores which is perfectly fine. Midrange is where most of the chips sell. Balance of cores and performance. Not everyone wants or needs a bleeding edge chip.
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