The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, despite being over two years old, continues to challenge newer processors in gaming performance. In contrast, the Ryzen 7 9700X, built on the latest Zen 5 architecture with DDR5 memory, offers only a 6% improvement in most cases.

This article examines their performance across 22 popular games, using the latest Windows 11 24H2 update.

Impact of Windows 11 24H2 Update on Gaming Performance

The Windows 11 24H2 update has introduced key improvements that impact gaming performance, particularly for processors like the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D and 9700X. This update was tested under both the 23H2 and 24H2 patches, revealing performance boosts of up to 9% in certain games. The update primarily benefits CPU-intensive titles, where frame rates improved, leading to a more stable and consistent gaming experience.

However, the Ryzen 7 9700X, built on AMD’s latest Zen 5 architecture, did not experience significant performance gains. Despite the update’s enhancements, many games showed only minimal improvements with the new processor. The results indicate that while the 24H2 update brings measurable gains, these are more prominent in older processors like the 5800X3D, which continues to hold its ground in performance.

Ultimately, the Windows 11 24H2 update adds noticeable improvements, particularly in CPU-heavy games. It showcases the potential of both processors but fails to deliver substantial performance changes across all titles, especially for the latest generation.

Game-by-Game Performance Breakdown: 5800X3D vs 9700X

When comparing the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D to the 9700X across a variety of games, the results are mixed. The 5800X3D, although older, still outperforms the newer 9700X in certain titles. For example, in Spider-Man Remastered, the 5800X3D achieved a 13% higher frame rate than the 9700X, a significant difference for users aiming for high refresh rates.

On the other hand, games such as Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and Hogwarts Legacy showcase the strengths of the 9700X. These CPU-dependent titles saw up to a 14% improvement in performance with the newer processor. However, the overall margin between the two processors remained narrow in most cases, with the 9700X only slightly edging out the 5800X3D by an average of 6% across the 22 games tested.

The performance differences largely depend on the game’s demands on the CPU and memory. While the 9700X shines in certain modern titles, the 5800X3D continues to be a strong competitor, particularly in games optimized for its unique architecture.

DDR5 Memory’s Role in Performance Differentiation

One of the key advantages of the Ryzen 7 9700X is its support for DDR5 memory, which provides faster data transfer rates compared to DDR4. This feature plays a crucial role in enhancing performance in games where CPU and memory bandwidth are critical. In titles like Hogwarts Legacy, the DDR5-equipped 9700X showed a 14% performance increase over the 5800X3D, underscoring the importance of memory speed in modern gaming.

Despite this, the 5800X3D, which uses DDR4 memory, remains competitive thanks to its 3D V-Cache technology. This technology compensates for the slower memory by enhancing performance in cache-dependent games. For instance, in Spider-Man Remastered, the 5800X3D outperformed the 9700X by 13%, demonstrating that memory speed alone does not determine a processor’s gaming capability.

While DDR5 clearly offers a boost in certain scenarios, the 5800X3D’s architecture keeps it relevant, especially for users who have not yet upgraded to DDR5 platforms. The comparison highlights that memory is an important factor but not the only one influencing overall gaming performance.

Zen 5 Expectations vs Reality: A Minor Upgrade

The Ryzen 7 9700X, part of AMD’s latest Zen 5 lineup, was expected to bring a substantial leap in performance, but the reality falls short of those expectations. Despite new features like enhanced branch prediction and DDR5 memory support, the 9700X only provides a 6% average improvement in gaming performance over the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. This incremental upgrade has left many users underwhelmed, particularly when comparing the new processor to its older counterpart.

The 9700X did show significant gains in some games, such as Rainbow Six Siege and Gears 5, where performance differences of over 10% were recorded. However, these cases are exceptions rather than the norm. In most other games, the gap between the 9700X and 5800X3D is marginal, raising questions about whether the upgrade to Zen 5 is worth the investment for gamers.

As future updates and optimizations are rolled out, particularly for 3D V-Cache models in the Zen 5 series, performance may improve. But for now, the Ryzen 7 9700X’s advancements remain modest, and the 5800X3D continues to offer excellent value for gaming enthusiasts.