AMD's Ryzen 7 9850X3D could save you hundreds on your new build during the RAM crisis — CPU tech nearly eliminates the performance difference between cheap and expensive RAM

AMD unveiled the Ryzen 7 9850X3D chip at CES 2026, boasting a 7% performance improvement over the Ryzen 7 9800X3D without requiring high-speed DDR5 RAM. The CPU's on-die L3 cache minimizes the need for frequent RAM access, making expensive RAM unnecessary for optimal performance. Benchmark tests show minimal FPS differences between DDR5-4800 and DDR5-5600 kits, with the CPU's cache playing a crucial role in gaming workloads. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D continues the trend of X3D chips delivering consistent performance regardless of RAM speed, offering a cost-effective solution during the ongoing RAM crisis.