AMD is faced with a problem that is paradoxical to say the least: its Ryzen 7 9800X3D is so efficient that the company is struggling to meet demand.
As you have noticed, AMD has succeeded in its bet with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Launched in November 2024, this CPU quickly ran out of stock, with resellers struggling to meet demand ever since. The tests are excellent.
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AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D review: experts are unanimous, RIP Intel
AMD recognized these supply constraints and announced an increase in production. In the meantime, some consumers are facing rising prices. Logic. But what is the cause of this shortage?
Intel’s fault
AMD has just attributed the shortage of its flagship processor, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, to its competitor: Intel. More specifically, it was the poor performance of Intel’s Arrow Lake processors that reportedly pushed consumers to flock to AMD products, which created unprecedented demand.
Frank Azor, director of AMD, did not mince his words during a round table at CES 2025: “ We knew we had made a great CPU. We didn’t know the competitor made a horrible CPU« .
La technologie 3D V-Cache
The situation is more complex than it seems. Manufacturing an X3D processor is no easy feat. David McAfee, another AMD executive, explains that the production process takes about 12 to 13 weeks for a traditional processor, plus several additional weeks for the integration of 3D V-Cache technology.
This technology, which is the strength of AMD processors, requires a particularly delicate stacking process.
-You must first produce the CCD board (the core of the processor), then the cache board, and finally proceed to their assembly. Each step must be perfectly mastered to guarantee the exceptional performance for which these processors are renowned.
The most fascinating thing about this situation is the demand ratio. AMD reveals that 8-core models, like the 9800X3D, are in demand in a ratio of 10 to 1 compared to more muscular versions.
Meanwhile, Intel appears to be struggling to fight back. Asked about his strategy in the face of AMD’s dominance in the gaming segment, Jim Johnson, vice president of Intel, remained evasive: “ Our goal is to offer a leading product in each segment. » A response that says a lot about the current lack of a concrete solution to AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology.
AMD has promised to increase production to meet demand, but warns that the effects will not be immediate. Manufacturing times being what they are, it will be several months before we see a significant improvement in availability.
In the meantime, prices for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remain high, sometimes exceeding 600 euros in Europe, well above the recommended price of 530 euros.
Find our buying guide for the best CPUs.
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