Japanese tech publication MyNavi Tech+ interviewed Travis Kirsch, the client-segment product manager for AMD, and there are some interesting excerpts from the conversation. It turns out that reviving Ryzen 7 5800X3D for the Socket AM4 market earlier this year, was an initiative going as far up as CEO Lisa Su. The effort required certain manufacturing process updates with TSMC to ensure they can build new 5800X3D chips that are identical in specs to the original ones, without having to revive deprecated manufacturing processes.

AMD says that 5800X3D AM4 Anniversary Edition was released as a parting gift to the loyal Socket AM4 crowd that's holding on to DDR4 memory in the wake of brutal overpricing of DDR5. It was planned to help users better plan their transition to AM5 and DDR5 memory. The 5800X3D offers contemporary levels of performance with games, and its re-launch triggered a new wave of product launches from motherboard vendors.

AMD's upcoming Ryzen 10000 series of desktop processors, codenamed "Olympic Ridge" and based on the "Zen 6" CPU architecture, are rumored to introduce some interesting platform changes. According to the latest leak from X account "Gotou_3rd," AMD's upcoming AM5 platform is likely to replace its integrated graphics processing unit (GPU) with an integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), marking a significant shift from the current setup. Since the "Zen 4" based "Raphael" processors, part of the Ryzen 7000 series, AMD has included integrated graphics solutions with its desktop CPUs. This trend continued with the "Zen 5" based "Granite Ridge" Ryzen 9000 series, which also featured an integrated GPU for basic graphics output and boot functionality.

However, with the next-generation Ryzen 10000 series, AMD seems to be reallocating the silicon area for different purposes, as the role of integrated GPUs in desktop systems diminishes. Most PC builders pair a dedicated GPU with their DIY or OEM PC builds, using integrated graphics mainly for debugging when the discrete GPU encounters issues. Since the silicon space in the CPU can be repurposed, AMD might switch to an NPU to enhance local AI capabilities and offload some AI tasks from the GPU to the CPU's integrated NPU. This could mean the platform might become Copilot+ AI PC certified if the NPU achieves over 40 TOPS of compute power.

Late last month, ASUS released an official statement regarding user reported discrepancies between AMD 800-series motherboards and highly popular "Zen 5" Ryzen 7 9800X3D desktop processors. At the time, the Taiwanese PC hardware manufacturer advised that customers immediately update relevant mainboard models with the latest BIOS revisions. Since the launch of Team Red's 3D V-Cache-augmented Ryzen 9000-series "Granite Ridge" CPUs, the majority of "killings" have been recorded on ASRock-made AM5 boards. Unfortunately, an increased number of processor failures—when platformed on ASUS designs—have been tracked in recent months. Yesterday, another puzzling case was presented on the official ASUS subreddit. Bizarrely, UniverseWillDecide's tale involved both of Team Red's 8-core gaming champion models, paired with an ASUS TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WIFI motherboard. The first build iteration was based around the Ryzen 7 9800X3D SKU.

UniverseWillDecide recounted a brief honeymoon period: "everything was working fine for a week or so, until my system started (going into) these weird freezes or locks ups, while booting into Windows or being idle. OCCT memory test passed without any errors, so memory was cleared, but it started crashing with AVX2. I got pissed off and decided to return it to Amazon, since it was still 30 day return window." The Australian PC enthusiast moved onto the recently released Ryzen 7 9850X3D model, purchased during AMD's official launch period. The unlucky owner enjoyed problem-free experience: "for (a) few weeks, (but) guess what. The chip is dead too. I am not blaming AMD directly, but I suspect...something related to the ASUS BIOS applying incorrect voltages. I am...above and beyond disappointed, and not sure what to do (next). I also have (an) ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 5090 (card)—I bought it because I believed this company builds quality products.

This season's AMD Rewards campaign started going live this morning, across several regions. Officially, this promotional period started today (February 10), at 9:00 a.m. ET, and is due to end on April 25. Participants have until May 23 (11:59:59 p.m. ET) to get/redeem "Crimson Desert with select AMD products." Hints of a Pearl Abyss—the game's South Korean development team—and Team Red collaboration appeared online last week; eventually leading to the reveal of Sapphire's Nitro+ Radeon RX 9070 XT OC Crimson Desert Edition graphics card model. In terms of qualifying desktop processor products, AMD has narrowed its selection down to current-gen 3D V-Cache-augmented gaming models, including the 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X3D, 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X3D, and 8-core Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The semi-recently launched Ryzen 7 9850X3D SKU gets some special treatment—according to the latest reward scheme's small print: "purchases of this product prior to the Campaign Period are eligible to receive a Coupon Code."

The Crimson Desert promotion also encompasses RDNA 4 generation graphics cards, although the Red Team has only deemed its upper echelon options worthy of this Pearl Abyss sponsorship. The Radeon RX 9070 XT and Radeon RX 9070 (both 16 GB models) are qualifiers in this category. Oddly, cheaper Radeon RX 9060 XT (16 GB and 8 GB) cards are not listed in freshly published material. Also absent is the Chinese market exclusive Radeon RX 9070 GRE 12 GB or 16 GB models. The less potent Radeon RX 9000-series products are very likely capable of running the Black Desert Online prequel to a satisfying degree—as noted by VideoCardz, Crimson Desert's minimum PC specification requirements hark back to pre-2020s processor and GPU hardware.

A savvy DIY-er has acquired an AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D desktop processor one week in advance of the official January 29 launch day. This triumph was shared with the PC Master Race (PCMR) community. Earlier today, the lucky owner's subreddit thread gained extra attention due to prominent PC news outlet coverage of the embargo-busting purchase. The buyer—dobum—did not go into great detail when describing their major scoring of the should-not-be-out-yet desktop microprocessor product. Apparently a "local reseller" listed available stock at some point this week, and dobum seized the moment: "(they) made a mistake...and I managed to get one out of curiosity...(it will replace) a Ryzen 7 7800X3D, which goes into another PC."

They mentioned paying 450 Swiss Francs (likely including VAT) for the upgrade, reflecting similar price tags tracked by VideoCardz—when examining pre-launch conditions across Europe. dobum's own currency conversion—to USD—shows an additional $71 tacked on top of Team Red's MSRP ($499). Their post did not include a breakdown of possible delivery charges, or a customary Value Added Tax charge. Photographic evidence did not provide a look at the product's OPN, so it is not clear whether dobum picked up a boxed retail or tray OEM unit. In a follow-up reply, they stated that their newly updated PC system had booted up with the "latest MSI BIOS (from December)." A commenter, kronoseedlc, added their own findings—in the form of screenshots (see CPU-Z grab below) accompanying a story about attempts to get their own early Ryzen 7 9850X3D sample to surpass 5700 MHz on some sort of MSI MPG CARBON WIFI mainboard.

We are aware of recent reports concerning AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPUs and ASUS AMD 800-series motherboards, and we have initiated an immediate internal review. Our teams are conducting preventive checks on product compatibility and performance, working closely with AMD to validate reported cases and ensure ongoing stability and quality. We are looking to provide timely solutions to ensure our products and services meet expected standards.

Users are also advised to update their ASUS AMD 800-series motherboard to the latest BIOS via ASUS EZ Flash or BIOS Flashback to help ensure system stability; we provide an official technical support FAQ with detailed instructions. Customers who are affected or have concerns are encouraged to contact ASUS customer service for direct assistance. We take this matter seriously and value our customers' trust, and we remain committed to transparency and to ensuring our products can be used with confidence.

AMD has just announced that the much-anticipated Ryzen 7 9850X3D desktop gaming CPU will launch on January 29, with a suggested retail price of $499. This newcomer will sit just above its 8-core sibling in Team Red's current-gen 3D V-Cache-augmented line up; the extremely popular Ryzen 7 9800X3D model. Almost an hour ago, David McAfee—AMD's VP and GM of client channel business—declared that: "the world's most advanced gaming processor just got faster. Built for gamers who demand smooth, relentless performance when it matters most." Anticipation has been building up since the company officially introduced its freshest Zen 5 "Granite Ridge" model at CES 2026, although pre-2026 rumors contributed to a gradual accumulation of hype.

A mid-December retail leak signalled a possible $550+ price point; about $70 dearer than the Ryzen 7 9800X3D's launch MSRP of $480. Earlier today, VideoCardz highlighted a myriad of newer listings—comprised of retail box and OEM/tray units—that provided a potential scattershot preview of things to come across global markets. The most reasonable cost of ownership being $502—apparently advertised by an unnamed US-based e-tailer. This morning, web sleuths happened upon Micro Center and JD.com product entries that mentioned a January 28 launch. Hopefully, AMD and its distributors have prepared enough release day stock. Looking back at the predecessor's launch period conditions, retail outlets struggled to adhere to the suggested price level, scalpers got involved, and customers were not encouraged by a lack of inventory. With the Ryzen 7 9850X3D SKU demanding a very reasonable +$19 premium over the 9800X3D (if MSRP still applies across market territories), AMD's newer and speedier offering could fly off shelves.

At CES 2026, AMD hyped up its forthcoming Ryzen 7 9850X3D model as succeeding the world's current fastest gaming desktop processor. Ahead of a rumored January 29 launch, benchmark and diagnostic leaks continue to flow out. Allegedly impressive boost numbers have turned up via the Overclock.net forum; likely resulting from experiments conducted on another pre-release sample. In a Gigabyte X870 AORUS TACHYON ICE motherboard-centric thread, the leaker—OC_Beer—claims that their screenshot was supplied by an unnamed acquaintance. In the attached image, a partially-obscured CPU model name—most likely a Ryzen 7 9850X3D review unit—sits above eight individual cores (labelled #0 to 7) all achieving maximum clock rates of 5748.71 MHz.

This early overclocking activity has reached beyond Team Red's reference boost clock of 5.6 GHz. The emerging Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor holds a main +400 MHz boost clock advantage over its close relative—the (also) eight-core Ryzen 7 9800X3D model. With the latter model in retail form, hardcore CPU tweakers have achieved all core boosts of around 5.4 to 5.6 GHz. The much-anticipated upcoming gaming champ could be finessed even further; chasers of big numbers are likely readying their test rigs—with main goals of hitting close to 7.0 GHz on finalized Ryzen 7 9850X3D silicon.

Late last month, AMD's speculated Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 and Ryzen 7 9850X3D gaming CPUs reportedly moved closer to becoming a reality. A series of late 2025 leaks have pointed to an eventual introduction of expanded Ryzen 9000 series "Zen 5" desktop product range; possibly at this week's CES trade show. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D SKU has broken cover on numerous occasions, even emerging very briefly from an official source last November. Fresh sleuthing activities have focused on a French e-tailer: LDLC—as evidenced by VideoCardz receiving a tip-off earlier today. The LDLC webstore has inadvertently listed Team Red's not-yet-launched Ryzen 7 9850X3D CPU model, in retail and tray (OEM) forms. Both product pages bear the same release date: January 29, 2026.

Also, a very specific "3 PM" local launch time is mentioned. No pricing details are outlined (at the time of writing), but basic specifications seem to align with past leaks—again, we are looking at an 8-core 16-thread "Granite Ridge" processor, destined for the AM5 socket. Additionally, the two active pages outline base 4.7 GHz and turbo/boost 5.6 GHz clocks, (a total of) 104 MB of 3D V-Cache, a 4 nm node process, and a 120 W TDP rating. Mid-way through December, a Swiss shop presented a $553 price point (by mistake)—positioning the new chip about $70 over the related Ryzen 7 9800X3D SKU (at launch MSRP). Interestingly, the LDLC site does not list the more mysterious Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 SKU.

Update: A VideoCardz follow-up report claims/re-confirms that AMD's Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor will arrive at retail outlets on January 29 (9 am EST), based on information in a leaked sales embargo document. Apparently, no pre-sales are permitted—meaning that pre-orders will not be opened up when reviews start appearing online.

AMD introduced its new Ryzen 7 9850X3D desktop gaming processor last week. This early January virtual launch event occurred weeks in advance of a highly-anticipated rollout at retail; officially set to happen within the first quarter of 2026. An unfortunately-timed pre-CES kick-off leak spoiled some fun—coming from prematurely published e-tail listings—signalling a possible January 29 roll out at shop outlets, at least in France. Earlier today, a new claim made by VideoCardz seems to align—timing-wise—with NDA-busting information mistakenly released by the French LDLC webstore. The popular PC hardware news site believes that Team Red will lift its Ryzen 7 9850X3D review embargo on January 28; the day prior to a speculated retail launch. Additionally, VideoCardz reportedly knows about a recent distribution of press samples—likely heading in the direction of reviewers, influencers, and tech-adjacent entities. A delidded example was allegedly presented at CES 2026, as evidenced by a recent PCGamesHardware Germany article. An unnamed provider managed to sneak OEM variants (intact and torn down) in front of a select bunch of journalists.

PC hardware detectives are still searching online for more evidence of AMD's not-yet-released Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 desktop gaming processor, but the latest discovery has shifted some focus onto Team Red's "Ryzen PRO" product line on the AM5 platform. Earlier today, Gray/Olrak29 shared an intriguing screenshot of yet another partial NBD shipping manifest. A mid-November entry outlines a previously unmentioned Ryzen 9 PRO 9965X3D SKU. Only very basic details are visible in late 2025 shipping information; namely a 16-core configuration and 170 W TDP rating. The two leaked credentials seem to align with specs applied to the readily available Ryzen 9 9950X3D model; Team Red's current flagship "Granite Ridge" gaming CPU.

Half-way through last year, AMD announced three new Ryzen PRO products that would expand their "Zen 5" range of mainstream desktop processors. At the present moment, their most potent "PRO" level option on the AM5 platform is the 12-core Ryzen 9 PRO 9945 SKU. Naturally, the just leaked Ryzen 9 PRO 9965X3D model is expected to take top billing—if it launches later this year. Based on model naming convention, early reportage posits that the not-yet-released PRO flagship will be blessed with only a single provision of third-gen 3D V-Cache, rather than a highly-anticipated dual configuration. This pioneering setup—for modern mainstream gaming rigs—could debut with an eventual arrival of Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 CPUs.

Not long after AMD's alleged confirmation of the "Granite Ridge" flagship 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 CPU's existence, web sleuths noticed that the not-yet-launched SKU being included in marketing material and new product descriptions. Most tellingly, Alienware China's Weibo account inadvertently mentioned a new Area-51 desktop system powered by Team Red's Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 processor. An accompanying short video was tagged with a "CES 2026" banner. As it turns out—to some online community disappointment—AMD only presented its 8-core Ryzen 7 9850X3D model during this week's North American trade show.

Sytronix, a UK-based PC workstation and server specialist, has advertised an "all-new" NexStation product, arriving soon through pre-ordering—apparently "powered by AMD's Radeon AI PRO 9700 (GPU) and Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 (CPU)." Elaborating on the chip's vaunted dual CCD setup, Sytronix's product page states that the design: "stacks massive L3 cache directly on the CPU, boosting memory bandwidth and cutting latency. Perfect for simulation, CAD, data science, and AI inferencing; anything that needs fast access to large datasets." Slightly older leaks show preview samples of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 being benchmarked—this pre-launch activity probably signals a rollout in the near-ish future; potentially months after the release of its 8-core sibling.

AMD officially unveiled its new 8-core Ryzen 7 9850X3D desktop gaming processor earlier in the week; in virtual and specification form. A day later, select members of the press have inspected physical examples at CES 2026. Lately, PCGamesHardware Germany and Club386 have presented photos of OEM hardware—as evidenced by a visible OPN code, reading as "100-000001973." A few e-tailers have started listing the retail version—web searches of the related "100-100001973WOF" designation bring up Team Red's boxed product. It is not clear whether AMD reps presented physical units behind closed doors, or an in-person preview session was organized by a manufacturing partner.

The PCGH.de report contains shots of a delidded example, with a gory view of the emerging Ryzen 7 9850X3D's innards on full display. As expected, a lone CCD is positioned just below the central I/O die—corresponding to the layout present within readily available Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPUs. Additionally, analysis of the markings on AMD's heat spreader point to this particular Ryzen 7 9850X3D sample bearing a mid-September 2025 production window. Like other "Granite Ridge" models, it was made in Malaysia—and tagged with a "PGY" manufacturing location reference.

According to a fairly fresh ComputerBase social media post, AMD has confirmed the existence—reportedly to a select group of journalists—of their unreleased 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 SKU. During CES 2026 proceedings, the German computer hardware news outlet was seemingly briefed about an upcoming second quarter launch of Ryzen AI 400 series desktop APUs, and were told to "stay tuned" for future updates regarding the rollout of Team Red's dual 3D V-Cache flagship gaming chip. Officially, AMD has already unveiled its 8-core Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor model at this week's highly important trade show. Since late last year, the two additional "Granite Ridge" products were mentioned multiple times via online leaks.

Past NDA-busting Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 information appeared less frequently; leading to speculation about it not being debuted at CES 2026. Despite a notable absence of concrete information, several members of the press did spot curious promo renders that showed a dual CCD design within Ryzen 7 9850X3D-related PR folders. Throughout late 2025/early 2026 PC gaming online communities have fretted over a possible uncertain future for AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 SKU, but the latest revelation (courtesy of ComputerBase) and recent benchmark database entries signal a promising path going forward.

AMD's Extended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO) technology is receiving an update with version 1.2. According to the latest HWiNFO v8.35-5890 Beta, this tool has added support for AMD EXPO 1.2, even though AMD has not officially released this version yet. Currently, AMD employs EXPO 1.0 with its Ryzen processors to provide optimal overclocked memory profiles for each configuration. This approach enhances overall system performance and gives the Infinity Fabric, which interconnects the CCDs and IODs, perfect balance of latency and speed.

What will come with EXPO 1.2 remains a mystery. Recently, as part of the "Granite Ridge" Ryzen 9000 X3D series, AMD's upcoming Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor was seen running with 9,800 MT/s DDR5 memory, which is unusually high for its class in this late-cycle "Zen 5" SKU. AMD could bring some late-stage "Zen 5" memory profile optimizations that we haven't seen so far, just in time for the late cycle X3D SKUs.

Update 22:15 UTC: According to AMD insider and author of HYDRA, CTR, DRAM calculator for AMD Ryzen 1usmus on X, the EXPO 1.2 will finally include support for CUDIMMs. These are DDR5 modules with integrated clock driver circuits, which improve signal integrity at higher frequencies, allowing the DDR5 modules to reach frequencies beyond JEDEC-provided range. We still have no idea how AMD plans to implement this. The slide below is just for illustrative purposes and is AMD's earlier mention of EXPO. It does not reflect the latest 1.2 version.

AMD's upcoming Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor is slowly hitting the retailer space, and the pricing has been leaked by @momomo_us. At $553, the new "Granite Ridge" Ryzen 9000 X3D SKU is priced roughly $70 more than the Ryzen 7 9800X3D at its launch. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D CPU features 8 cores and 16 threads, 96 MB of L3 cache, and a boost clock up to 5.6 GHz, with a 120 W power envelope. This represents a 400 MHz increase over the Ryzen 7 9800X3D model, which has the same cache and core configuration. At Switzerland retailer Orderflow.ch, the CPU is listed for 473.55 CHF, which is 20% higher than the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.

Officially, AMD's Ryzen 9000 series supports DDR5 memory speeds up to 5600 MT/s, but this model could push that number to 9,800 MT/s if earlier reports are accurate. AMD is likely using higher-binned dies it has saved over the past few months to offer a better alternative to Intel's upcoming "Arrow Lake Refresh," scheduled for early 2026, and "Nova Lake," scheduled for late 2026. As Intel has confirmed it will ship with native support for DDR5 memory speeds reaching 7200 MT/s on CUDIMM modules, AMD is fighting with a faster CPU clock and supposedly better memory speeds to offer good competition in the consumer DIY PC space.

As part of the "Granite Ridge" Ryzen 9000 X3D series, AMD's upcoming Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor has been spotted running with 9,800 MT/s DDR5 memory, placing this late-cycle "Zen 5" SKU unusually high for its class. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D features 8 cores and 16 threads, 96 MB of L3 cache, and a boost clock of up to 5.6 GHz, with a 120 W TDP. What sets this processor apart is not just the 400 MHz increase over the Ryzen 7 9800X3D model, which shares the same cache and core configuration. Officially, AMD's Ryzen 9000 series supports DDR5 memory speeds up to 5600 MT/s, but this model could push that number to 9,800 MT/s if the reports are accurate.

AMD might be using higher-binned IODs it has accumulated over the past few months to offer a competitive alternative to Intel's upcoming "Arrow Lake Refresh," set for early 2026, and "Nova Lake," scheduled for late 2026. Since the overall "Granite Ridge" family officially supports much lower DDR5 memory speeds, in line with JEDEC specifications, a new or better-tested IOD could enable these 9,800 MT/s speeds. In the BIOS image below, you can see a 9,800 MT/s figure. We can disregard the incorrect date, as it could have been intentionally altered by the leaker to prevent AMD from tracing the source. The CPU picture below serves as a mockup of what the actual design might look like.

The cadence of AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D-related leaks has increased over the past week and a half; trickling out from an official outlet (by mistake), and shipping information. This uptick suggests an imminent launch of finalized units, possibly at next month's CES trade show. The highly visible event will provide opportune moments to introduce new and refreshed products alike. Weeks ahead of grand proceedings, Team Red's motherboard partners seem to be taking the (predicted) next 8-core gaming champion for a spin. Geekbench Browser database entries turned up mid-way through November, but were discovered weeks later by Gray/Olrak29. Test rigs utilized Maxsun's MS-eSport B850ITX mainboard model, and Colorful's CVN B850M GAMING FROZEN V14A design.

Both validated sets of Geekbench 6.3 (under Windows 11 64-bit) results indicate performance in the ballpark of AMD's readily available Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, with multicore scores tallies lower than anticipated. It should be noted that the Maxsun and Colorful test rigs were not running system memory (both 32 GB in total) at maximum transfer rates. Sub-4800 MT/s levels were recorded during mid-November sessions. VideoCardz notes other possible factors, including the early/in-progress nature of firmware and cautious implementation of power parameters. The Colorful mainboard-based build managed to coax its hosted processor's core clock up to 5602 MHz, whilst the Maxsun's CPU sample trailed behind at 5385 MHz. The two database entries list identical credentials for the much-leaked Ryzen 7 9850X3D SKU: 8 cores, 16 threads, 4.70 GHz base clock, and 96 MB of L3 cache. Both test subjects are identified as "Authentic AMD Family 26 Model 68 Stepping 0" units, belonging to the "Granite Ridge" processor generation.

Fresh evidence of AMD's upcoming Ryzen 7 9850X3D CPU has been found in an NBD shipping manifest. This afternoon, Olrak29 shared another block of information: part number (DVTP/N) 100-1000001973-00 and a TDP rating of 120 W. Late last month, they spotted Team Red's "official" publication of placeholder material—indicating the new 3D V-Cache-augmented "Granite Ridge" product's boost capability (up to 5.6 GHz) and a 120 W power envelope.

Since then, AMD's French website no longer displays this information. Returning to aforementioned shipment documentation (dated October 18), the much-leaked 8-core Ryzen 7 9850X3D SKU shares many credentials (including a 120 W TDP) with the reigning gaming CPU champion: 9800X3D. To no surprise, the new contender is expected to do slightly better in benchmarks, thanks to a +400 MHz advantage. In theory, higher-binned dies have been deemed worthy of an elevated (+50) moniker. The next "Granite Ridge" Zen 5-based flagship—16-core Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 SKU—has turned up in parallel leaks. Speculated timelines could lead to both models receiving a proper introduction at CES 2026, followed by a potential mid-January launch at retail outlets.

Earlier this week, talk of imminent price increases—affecting current and previous generation AMD Ryzen processors—spread across PC hardware news outlets and communities. It is debated whether Team Red simply directed its retail partners to elevate Ryzen 9000 (Zen 5) and Ryzen 7000/8000 (Zen 4) processor series price tags following the conclusion of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or discount promotions. Tom's Hardware decided to investigate this controversial matter, by reaching out to trusted contacts. Under an hour ago, their findings were published—according to: "two industry sources that wish to remain anonymous, one from one of the largest U.S. distributors, (believe) that there have been no indications of impending price adjustments for Ryzen processors, and no evidence suggests such changes are imminent, contrary to recent rumors."

Presently, computer memory supply issues have caused manufacturers to assess product pricing, distribution and release strategies. Reportedly, AMD is in the process of finalizing price hikes of current mainstream GPU lines—possibly tacking on an extra $20 across 8 GB SKUs, and a $40 bump up for 16 GB models. The latest report posits that "Granite Ridge" and "Raphael" Ryzen prices will remain intact for the time being, on account of the public's perception of fresh AMD decision-making. Tom's Hardware outlined the circumstances: "SSDs, graphics cards, or memory, processors are less susceptible to price fluctuations caused by NAND shortages....the chip manufacturer (AMD) may be delaying adjustments on processor pricing to prevent further customer dissatisfaction, assuming there was any minimal credence to the rumor to start with." A quick perusal of typical North American and European e-tail outlets shows rough $20 to $30 elevations across modern Ryzen CPU lines, but it is difficult to judge whether these erratic trends are simply jump ups from Black Friday/Cyber Monday baselines.

AMD seems to be preparing an update to its "Granite Ridge" Ryzen 9000 X3D series, introducing two new chips targeted at high-performance gamers and creators. Among the two, a new SKU type has appeared, carrying the "X3D2" suffix. Leaks suggest a new flagship model, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, featuring 16 cores and 32 threads. This chip reportedly includes 3D V-Cache on both chiplets, totaling approximately 192 MB of L3 cache. It is said to operate at a base frequency of 4.30 GHz, with a boost up to around 5.6 GHz, and has a TDP of about 200 W. The 9950X3D2, with its new naming convention, suggests a tradeoff of slightly lower peak boost speeds (-100 MHz) compared to the single-stack X3D Ryzen 9 9950X3D model, but offers significantly increased cache capacity. This combination could be a sweet spot for cache-sensitive workloads and certain games.

The expanded cache and increased thermal headroom may necessitate more attention to cooling and VRM design for system builders, potentially leading AMD to price these chips at a premium or adjust current MSRPs. A companion model, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, is expected to follow a similar design with eight cores, 96 MB of L3 cache, and a boost up to 5.6 GHz, with a 120 W power envelope. The 9850X3D appears to be a refined, higher-clocked (+400 MHz) alternative to existing 8-core Ryzen 7 9800X3D models, offering improved single-thread performance that is highly valued by gamers, while maintaining a relatively modest TDP.

AMD is expanding its AM5 lineup with two iGPU-less "Granite Ridge" processors, which have been spotted in retailer feeds, indicating a likely near-term launch. ShopBLT listed the Ryzen 7 9700F and Ryzen 5 9500F, with the 9700F shown as an eight-core, 16-thread part with a 65-watt TDP, priced at $294, and the 9500F listed as a six-core, 12-thread part with a 65-watt TDP, priced at $218. Both chips were previously hinted at in motherboard BIOS updates and benchmarking logs, and they were widely expected during the late summer window. AMD has not confirmed dates, but seeing retail listings in September after an August forecast suggests the company is close to announcing availability. For builders who do not require integrated graphics, these F variants offer the same core counts and thermal envelopes, relying on a discrete GPU instead. Retail availability could surface within the coming weeks.

The pricing snapshot is currently painting a messy picture. Retail and distributor feeds sometimes show placeholder numbers, and early listings do not always match final street prices. For context, the 9700X is currently listed near the $329 range, while six-core parts have been trading under $200 in some channels. Since F variants lack an iGPU, they are usually positioned below their iGPU-equipped siblings, but the ShopBLT figures do not yet paint a consistent picture. In terms of performance, the two F SKUs are expected to match their non-F counterparts since the architectural configuration appears the same. Official AMD product pages and independent reviews should settle the details shortly, so we are waiting to see if these new SKUs make sense for AMD to add to the AM5 product family.

AMD is preparing a new value-ended desktop processor model under its Ryzen 9000 series, the Ryzen 5 9500F. At this point it's not clear if the company will release this into the DIY retail channel, or whether it will restrict it to OEM-SI. The chip surfaced on Geekbench online database, where a Geekbench 6.4.0 benchmark run yielded 3122 points single-threaded and 14369 points in the multithreaded test, or roughly similar to the Ryzen 5 7600, except being based on the newer "Zen 5" microarchitecture, with better performance in AVX-512 workloads.

The Ryzen 5 9500F is based on the same "Granite Ridge" MCM as the rest of the Ryzen 9000 series. It is a 6-core/12-thread chip with 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The chip is clocked at 3.80 GHz base frequency, with 5.00 GHz maximum boost, compared to the 3.90 GHz base and 5.40 GHz max boost frequencies of the Ryzen 5 9600X. The "F" brand extension denotes that the 9500F lacks integrated graphics. The I/O feature-set is consistent with the rest of the lineup, with a 28-lane PCI-Express Gen 5 root complex, and a dual-channel DDR5 memory interface that supports up to DDR5-6400 in 1:1 FClk:MClk ratio, and up to DDR5-8000 in 1:2. The 9500F comes with a 65 W TDP. Should AMD decide to launch this chip in retail, we expect an interesting price-point around the $170-180 mark.

AMD is reportedly gearing up to expand its Ryzen 9000 "Granite Ridge" lineup with two all-new Zen 5 CPUs that push the limits of power draw and cache capacity. Leaker chi11eddog, who has cultivated ties with motherboard vendors, claims that AMD will introduce an 8-core/16-thread model rated at 120 W TDP, featuring a substantial 96 MB of L3 cache. This mirrors the cache density of the existing Ryzen 7 9800X3D, but could represent a distinct SKU. More striking is the rumored 16-core/32-thread part, a 200 W processor boasting 192 MB of L3 cache, surpassing the Ryzen 9 9950X3D's 128 MB. According to the leak, this chip features a dual-CCD design, with each chiplet pairing 32 MB of on-die cache with 64 MB of stacked 3D V-Cache, marking the first time AMD may ship a desktop CPU with 3D V-Cache on both dies.

If these claims prove accurate, AMD may finally have solved the economic puzzle of dual-X3D production. Until now, the company's top-end 16-core models have paired a single 3D V-Cache chiplet with a standard CCD. The new dual-stacked design removes that compromise and promises consistently high cache bandwidth across multithreaded workloads. If launched, these chips would reinforce AMD's gaming performance crown and finally bring true dual-X3D dies to the mainstream desktop arena.

AMD announced that it is now world's fastest in nearly all CPU form-factors. The company took Gold and Silver places in the latest Top500 supercomputers list, driven by a combination of 4th Gen EPYC "Genoa" CPUs and Instinct MI300A AI GPUs. It also has the world's most powerful AI PC processor with the Ryzen AI Max "Strix Halo" processor. With AMD enabling OEMs to combine the chip with up to 96 GB of unified 256-bit LPDDR5X memory, "Strix Halo" is the only PC processor capable of accelerating 128B-parameter AI models locally.

AMD has the world's fastest desktop processor for both gaming and productivity in the Ryzen 9 9950X3D "Granite Ridge-X", which is significantly faster than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K in both gaming and productivity. It also has the world's fastest processor for laptops with the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D "Fire Range-X," which is essentially a mobile-friendly BGA package of the 9950X3D. With their high core counts, higher memory channel and PCIe lane counts, 5th Gen EPYC "Turin" processors dominate the server space in performance per socket. Ryzen semi-custom chips dominate gaming consoles. Ryzen Threadripper 9000 "Shimada Peak" is the undisputed king of HEDT and workstation processors. Perhaps the only form-factors AMD isn't dominating are mobile processors in the U- and H-segments, with the "Strix Point" silicon falling behind "Arrow Lake-U" and "Arrow Lake-H" in CPU performance.