CES 2026: New AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Beats Intel Core Ultra 9 by 21%

AMD just dropped a massive announcement at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. The tech giant officially unveiled the Ryzen 7 9850X3D. This new gaming processor serves as the direct successor to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. While it retains the core architecture of its predecessor, it brings a crucial speed bump to the table.

The chip launches in Q1 2026. However, AMD remained silent on the exact release date and the final price tag.

Ryzen 7 9850X3D Specifications Revealed at CES 2026

The Ryzen 7 9850X3D is an eight-core CPU designed specifically for high-performance gaming. It utilises AMD’s patented 3D V-Cache technology to accelerate frame rates.

The most significant upgrade is the clock speed. The new chip hits a boost clock of 5.6 GHz. This is a 400 MHz increase over the 9800X3D’s 5.2 GHz limit. The base clock sits at 4.7 GHz, and the total power draw (TDP) is 120W. It also includes an integrated Radeon GPU with two cores.

Important compatibility notes:

• Socket: AM5
• Supported Motherboards: B850, X870E (Newer), and B650 (Older).
• Caveat: If you use an older B650 board, check your BIOS version. You may need an update before installing this chip.
• Overclocking: The 9850X3D is locked. You cannot overclock this processor.

Performance: AMD vs. Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

AMD released aggressive benchmarks comparing the 9850X3D against its main competitor, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K. According to AMD’s charts, the 9850X3D dominates in three key gaming categories.

Note:

These are manufacturer-provided statistics. Always wait for independent third-party reviews for verification.

Game Category	Performance Increase vs. Intel 285K	Key Titles
Esports	+28% (Avg)	Counter-Strike 2 (+48%) Rainbow Six Siege (+33%)
Latest Releases	+21% (Avg)	Starfield (+38%) Star Wars Outlaws (+23%) Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (+5%)
Older Games	+35% (Avg)	Watch Dogs: Legion (+58%) Far Cry 6 (+51%) GTA V (+32%)

The Market Crisis: DDR5 Prices Skyrocket

The Ryzen 7 9850X3D arrives during a chaotic time for PC builders. A severe supply shortage has hit the DRAM market since Fall 2025. Consequently, RAM prices are spiralling out of control.

Standard 2×16 GB DDR5 RAM kits have jumped from $90 to over $360 in just a few months. This inflation affects the entire ecosystem, including the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, which use custom AMD Ryzen chips. Xbox is even considering a price hike for its hardware.

Despite the cost crisis, AMD is doubling down on the AM5 platform. With the Ryzen 7 9700X currently priced at $329 and the previous 9800X3D launching at $449, industry experts expect the 9850X3D to command a premium price.