AMD’s faster Ryzen 7 9850X3D CPU arrives on January 29th for $499 | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAICESHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.AMD’s faster Ryzen 7 9850X3D CPU arrives on January 29th for $499Comments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsGamingCloseGamingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GamingTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechAMD’s faster Ryzen 7 9850X3D CPU arrives on January 29th for $499The 9850X3D has a faster boost clock than the popular 9800X3D chip.The 9850X3D has a faster boost clock than the popular 9800X3D chip.by Tom WarrenCloseTom WarrenSenior EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Tom WarrenJan 22, 2026, 3:29 PM UTCLinkShareGiftImage: AMDTom WarrenCloseTom WarrenPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Tom Warren is a senior editor and author of Notepad, who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years.AMD announced an improved version of its popular Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor at CES earlier this month, and it’s now confirming a release date and pricing today. The new Ryzen 7 9850X3D will debut on January 29th, priced at $499.That’s $20 more than the initial retail pricing of the 9800X3D, and this faster 9850X3D will feature the same 8-core / 16-thread CPU running at faster boost clocks. The boost clock on the 9850X3D is 400MHz higher than the standard 9800X3D, and it maintains the same 120-watt TDP. It’s essentially a better-binned version of the 9800X3D.Image: AMDIt’s still not clear exactly how much these higher boost clocks will help with PC games, and AMD has admitted that most of the benefits will be found in frequency-sensitive titles like esports games. Still, at least you won’t have to pay much more for a faster chip — that’s if you can find the 9850X3D at its retail price later this month.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Tom WarrenCloseTom WarrenSenior EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Tom WarrenAMDCloseAMDPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AMDGamingCloseGamingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GamingNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsPC GamingClosePC GamingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All PC GamingTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularWhat a Sony and TCL partnership means for the future of TVsVolvo aims for an EV reset with the new EX60 crossoverEveryone can hear your TV in their headphones using this transmitterHow much can a city take?Anthropic’s new Claude ‘constitution’: be helpful and honest, and don’t destroy humanityThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native adMore in NewsGoogle Search AI Mode can use Gmail and Photos to get to know youThis plugin uses Wikipedia’s AI-spotting guide to make AI writing sound more humanWaymo is accepting public riders in MiamiAdobe is developing ‘IP-safe’ gen AI models for the entertainment industryBlue Origin’s Starlink rival TeraWave promises 6-terabit satellite internetApple is reportedly working on an AirTag-sized AI wearableGoogle Search AI Mode can use Gmail and Photos to get to know youJess WeatherbedTwo hours agoThis plugin uses Wikipedia’s AI-spotting guide to make AI writing sound more humanEmma Roth2:48 PM UTCWaymo is accepting public riders in MiamiAndrew J. Hawkins2:00 PM UTCAdobe is developing ‘IP-safe’ gen AI models for the entertainment industryCharles Pulliam-Moore2:00 PM UTCBlue Origin’s Starlink rival TeraWave promises 6-terabit satellite internetRichard LawlerJan 21Apple is reportedly working on an AirTag-sized AI wearableEmma RothJan 21Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native adTop StoriesAn hour agoWhy nobody’s stopping GrokVideoAn hour agoClaude Code is suddenly everywhere inside MicrosoftJan 21What a Sony and TCL partnership means for the future of TVsJan 21Anthropic’s new Claude ‘constitution’: be helpful and honest, and don’t destroy humanityTwo hours agoGoogle Search AI Mode can use Gmail and Photos to get to know youJan 19It’s worse than it looks in MinneapolisThe VergeThe Verge logo.FacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSContactTip UsCommunity GuidelinesArchivesAboutEthics StatementHow We Rate and Review ProductsCookie SettingsTerms of UsePrivacy NoticeCookie PolicyLicensing FAQAccessibilityPlatform Status© 2026 Vox Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved

The Verge has reported on a forthcoming update to AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, slated for release on January 29th at a price point of $499. This new model, designated the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, represents an iterative improvement over the existing 9800X3D. A key distinction lies in its enhanced boost clock frequency, which is 400MHz higher than the standard 9800X3D. Despite this upgrade, the 9850X3D retains the same 120-watt Thermal Design Power (TDP) as its predecessor. According to the report, AMD’s assessment indicates that the majority of performance gains from this increased clock speed will be most noticeable in frequency-sensitive games, particularly esports titles. While the specifics of these performance gains remain to be definitively quantified, the decision to release a slightly faster variant suggests AMD's confidence in the 3D V-Cache technology integrated into this generation of Ryzen processors. The timing of the launch, coinciding with the CES trade show, further supports this assertion. The $499 price point for the 9850X3D represents a modest increase from the initial retail price of the 9800X3D, indicating a marginal cost premium for the enhanced clock speeds. AMD’s declaration that most of the benefits will be found in specific game types points to a targeted strategy, potentially aligning with the evolving demands of the competitive gaming market. The information provided underscores AMD’s continuous efforts to refine its high-end Ryzen offerings, focusing on optimization for performance-critical applications.