Source: AMD
Enhanced Gaming Performance with AM5
While CES 2026 largely centered on AI advancements, AMD also revealed significant new consumer hardware. Highlights from their official client news summary include:
- AMD introduced new Ryzen AI 400 and PRO 400 Series processors, offering up to 60 NPU TOPS for Copilot+ PCs and various AI experiences in consumer and commercial systems.
- New Ryzen AI Max+ SKUs were presented, designed to bring high-performance AI and graphics to ultra-thin notebooks, workstations, and small form factors for creative work, gaming, and AI development.
- AMD unveiled the AMD Ryzen AI Halo, a powerful and user-friendly mini-PC that delivers Ryzen AI Max+ performance to AI developers, providing an out-of-the-box solution to accelerate AI innovation at the edge.
- AMD announced the new Ryzen 7 9850X3D, positioned as the fastest gaming processor, built on “Zen 5” architecture and incorporating AMD 3D V-Cache technology.
- AMD anticipates strong year-over-year growth in OEM adoption of Ryzen AI processors, with more systems expected to launch across consumer, commercial, and gaming segments throughout 2026.
- AMD announced AMD ROCm 7.2 software for Windows and Linux, ensuring seamless support for Ryzen AI 400 Series processors and integration into ComfyUI.
The announcement of the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, the only bullet point not explicitly mentioning “AI,” has been anticipated by many. However, those hoping for dual-X3D chiplet designs will need to wait longer. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D is an upgraded version of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, maintaining an 8-core, 16-thread configuration. It features increased clock speeds, starting at 4.7 GHz and boosting up to 5.6 GHz, all while adhering to the same 120-watt power envelope.
According to AMD’s press release:
Next-Level Gaming Performance with Ryzen 9850X3D Processors
AMD is elevating desktop gaming performance with the introduction of the Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor, the latest and most powerful gaming processor in the Ryzen 9000X3D lineup. Utilizing “Zen 5” architecture and second-generation AMD 3D V-Cache technology, this processor offers significant performance improvements in demanding games, achieving up to 27% better gaming performance compared to the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K.
With eight high-performance cores and 16 threads, the Ryzen 9850X3D processor is optimized for maximum efficiency in gaming workloads, providing ultra-low latency and exceptional frame rates. It boasts a boost frequency of up to 5.6 GHz and 104MB of total cache, facilitating smooth gameplay and multitasking across modern titles, streaming, and background applications.
The 9000X3D Series, with its substantial cache capacity and performance optimized for gaming leadership, continues to set a high standard for enthusiast gamers.
Pricing and Availability
Systems featuring AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Series processors are expected to be available from major OEMs, system integrators, and retail partners starting in Q1 2026.
While AMD highlights performance gains against Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K, a direct comparison to the existing Ryzen 7 9800X3D might offer more relevant insights for consumers. Nevertheless, this new X3D processor is anticipated to hit the market this quarter, and hardware reviewers are expected to conduct the comparisons that many enthusiasts are eager to see.
