What is an X3D processor, and is it worth it?
You may see X3D in the name of some AMD processors. These chips are made with gaming in mind. Here is what X3D means, when it is worth paying for, and when your money is better spent elsewhere.
What X3D means
A processor has a small amount of very fast memory built into it. This is called cache. It holds the things the processor needs most often, so it does not have to wait for the main memory.
On an X3D chip, AMD stacks an extra layer of cache on top of the processor. That is the "3D" part. Many games use the same pieces of information again and again, so this extra cache helps them run more smoothly.
When X3D is worth it
- You want high frame rates. Frame rate is how many pictures a second the PC draws. Fast games and high-refresh screens need lots of them, and that puts more work on the processor.
- You have a strong graphics card. A strong card can draw pictures very fast. Then the processor can become the part that holds things back, and X3D helps there.
- You play games that like cache. Many strategy, simulation and competitive games benefit.
When X3D is not worth it
- Your budget is tight. Spend on the graphics card first. It makes the biggest difference to how games look and run.
- You play at high resolutions with a middle graphics card. Here the graphics card is doing most of the work, so a faster processor shows less.
- You mainly work rather than play. For heavy work such as video editing, other processors can give more for the money.
Not sure about screen resolution? Read 1080p, 1440p or 4K.
Our top-end PCs
The PCs below are from the top of our range, made for 4K gaming. They are here to show the kind of PC where an X3D processor and a strong graphics card belong together. Check each one's details to see which processor it has, as stock changes.
Our 4K gaming PCs right now
Picked from our shop's list by graphics card strength, then price. Prices update by themselves.
Pre-order4K gaming
Sandbox Pro Gamer 20 gaming PC
Ryzen 7 9800X3D + GeForce RTX 5090 32GB
Top-end: built for 4K screens and very high frame rates in the newest, most demanding games.
- Processor
- Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Graphics
- GeForce RTX 5090 32GB
- Memory
- 32GB DDR5
- Storage
- 2TB NVMe SSD
- Windows
- Windows 11 Home installed
£7,085.09
Pre-order
Games this PC plays
- Fortnite Plays well
- Minecraft: Java Edition Plays well
- Minecraft (Bedrock Edition for Windows) Plays well
- Roblox Plays well
- VALORANT Plays well
- Counter-Strike 2 Plays well
- League of Legends Plays well
- EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Plays well
- Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Plays well
- Marvel Rivals Plays well
Comes with an RGB case - you can swap it for a non-RGB case if you prefer.
Sold by Sandbox Computers, Worcester
Pre-order4K gaming
Sandbox Pro Gamer 8 gaming PC
Ryzen 9 9950X3D + GeForce RTX 5090 32GB
Top-end: built for 4K screens and very high frame rates in the newest, most demanding games.
- Processor
- Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Graphics
- GeForce RTX 5090 32GB
- Memory
- 64GB DDR5 6400MHz
- Storage
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- Windows
- Windows 11 Home installed
£7,885.02
Pre-order
Games this PC plays
- Fortnite Plays well
- Minecraft: Java Edition Plays well
- Minecraft (Bedrock Edition for Windows) Plays well
- Roblox Plays well
- VALORANT Plays well
- Counter-Strike 2 Plays well
- League of Legends Plays well
- EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Plays well
- Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Plays well
- Marvel Rivals Plays well
Comes with an RGB case - you can swap it for a non-RGB case if you prefer.
Sold by Sandbox Computers, Worcester
Pre-order4K gaming
Sandbox Pro Gamer 22 gaming PC
Ryzen 9 9950X3D + GeForce RTX 5090 32GB
Top-end: built for 4K screens and very high frame rates in the newest, most demanding games.
- Processor
- Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Graphics
- GeForce RTX 5090 32GB
- Memory
- 64GB DDR5 6400MHz
- Storage
- 4TB NVMe SSD
- Windows
- Windows 11 Home installed
£9,510.41
Pre-order
Games this PC plays
- Fortnite Plays well
- Minecraft: Java Edition Plays well
- Minecraft (Bedrock Edition for Windows) Plays well
- Roblox Plays well
- VALORANT Plays well
- Counter-Strike 2 Plays well
- League of Legends Plays well
- EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Plays well
- Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Plays well
- Marvel Rivals Plays well
Comes with an RGB case - you can swap it for a non-RGB case if you prefer.
Sold by Sandbox Computers, Worcester
The short answer
An X3D processor is a great gaming chip, but it is not the first thing to spend money on. Get the right graphics card for your screen first. If there is money left and you want the highest frame rates, an X3D chip is a good next step. Every PC we sell is built and tested on our own bench in Worcester.
For more on choosing a processor, read AMD or Intel for gaming. If you are on a budget, see the best gaming PCs for under £1,000.
Questions people ask
What does X3D mean on an AMD processor?
X3D means AMD has stacked extra cache on the chip. Cache is very fast memory right inside the processor. Many games like having more of it, so X3D chips are popular for gaming.
Is an X3D processor worth it?
It can be if you have a strong graphics card and want high frame rates. On a tight budget, a better graphics card usually helps games more than an X3D processor.
Does an X3D processor help every game?
No. It helps many games, some a lot and some hardly at all. It also helps less when the graphics card is the part holding the PC back, which is common at higher screen resolutions.
Is an X3D processor good for work as well as games?
Yes, it works as a normal processor for everyday tasks and work. But if you mainly do heavy work rather than gaming, a non-X3D chip can be as good or better for the money.