Up to speed - AMD’s latest CPUs and GPUs pair for performance 4K gaming

 AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU
(Image credit: AMD)

The best high-performance gaming is no longer a dream for the future. The hardware necessary to pump out 4K resolution gameplay at high frame rates is here. AMD’s latest CPUs and GPUs can work together to keep up with the ever-increasing demands of games. For those gamers looking to push their performance levels to the limit, AMD’s Radeon RX 7900 XTX brings the graphical might, while the new Ryzen 7 7800X3D provides potent CPU performance to keep frame rates high.

The Radeon RX 7900 XTX is AMD’s flagship graphics processor. It’s remarkably capable in a wide range of gaming scenarios. In competitive shooters, its ability to spit out high frame rates at any resolution isn’t likely to leave you craving more performance. Even in demanding AAA games with more extreme graphics, it can keep up. Ray tracing isn’t off the table, either, with the card able to provide smooth gameplay at 4K in Far Cry 6 even with Ultra settings and ray tracing enabled.

To make the most out of a fast GPU such as the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX you need a fast CPU that won’t create a bottleneck and leave extra performance on the table. AMD’s new Ryzen 7 7800X3D fits the bill.

This new chip provides the kind of balance that’s great for gamers. While there are higher-performance chips available for those who game and create in the Ryzen 9 line, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers a lower price and plenty of speed to let the GPU sing. Eight cores and 16 threads provide more than enough muscle to keep a modern gaming PC running smoothly with capacity for background applications running in addition to games.

Delidded AMD Ryzen processor with 3D V-Cache onboard

(Image credit: AMD)

The main draw of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is its inclusion of 3D V-cache—an extra layer of last-level cache stacked on top of the processing cores. This huge helping of extra memory right on the processor has shown tremendous benefit to gaming performance. By creating extra space for game files and instruction data on the CPU, it can process these things substantially faster, since it doesn’t have to constantly wait for them to be pulled in from RAM. This gives it a considerable leg up on the gaming speeds compared to a chip without the extra cache, and it even boosts efficiency. For instance, the inclusion of 3D V-Cache on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D gives it an performance increase of 16% over the Ryzen 7 7700X. Between the addition of 3D V-Cache and the new ‘Zen 4’ architecture, these new processors have shown 40% higher performance-per-watt than the Ryzen 5000 Series.

To take advantage of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D’s capabilities, you’ll need a motherboard with the AM5 socket. Fortunately, the market for these motherboards has had some time to grow since the launch of the Ryzen 7000 series. You’ll be able to find your pick of wallet-friendly B650 motherboards and capability-rich X670 motherboards in form factors ranging from mini ITX to extensive E-ATX. 

The AM5 platform comes with some considerable perks for PC gamers as well. Fast PCIe storage is supported, letting you load up games in a flash. Wired and wireless external connections also get an upgrade with support for 20Gbps USB ports and Wi-Fi 6E networking. AMD is committed to supporting the platform until 2025, providing a clear pathway for future CPU upgrades without needing a new motherboard. And if you’re upgrading from an older AM4 motherboard, you’ll be able to use your cooling setup with a new AM5 motherboard.

You can make your extreme gaming dreams come true as Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Radeon RX 7900 XTX, and AM5 components can be found at retailers like Newegg, Amazon, Best Buy, and Micro Center, letting you take your pick from your favorite shops, or wherever you can find the best deal.