AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-core AM5
Intel Pentium E6500 2-core LGA 775
What Buyers Say
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-core AM5
The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is overwhelmingly praised as the best gaming CPU on the market, delivering massive FPS boosts, improved 1% lows, and excellent thermal efficiency. Users upgrading from older Intel or AMD chips report dramatic performance gains, especially in CPU-heavy games and productivity tasks. The main criticisms are the lack of a stock cooler, the need for BIOS updates on older AM5 boards, and the frustration of scalpers inflating prices above MSRP. Overall, it's a must-buy for gamers seeking top-tier performance, provided they can get it at retail price.
Pros
- Outstanding gaming performance
- Excellent thermal efficiency
- Massive FPS improvements
- Improved 1% lows
- Great value at MSRP
Cons
- No stock cooler included
- BIOS update needed on older AM5 boards
- Scalper prices above MSRP
- OEM version lacks original box
- Limited availability
Intel Pentium E6500 2-core LGA 775
This budget dual-core processor is praised for its value, reliability, and solid performance in everyday multitasking. Users highlight its Virtualization Technology (VT) support, which works well for Windows 7 XP Mode, and its overclocking headroom. The main criticisms are the relatively high price for an older chip and the cost of DDR2 memory, not the CPU itself.
Pros
- Excellent value for budget builds
- Virtualization Technology (VT) support
- Good multitasking performance
- Overclocking headroom
- Reliable and stable
Cons
- Price slightly high for older chip
- DDR2 memory cost is prohibitive
- E7200 lacks VT support (comparison)
Scores
Specifications
| AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D | Intel Pentium E6500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | ||
| Brand | AMD | Intel |
| Series | Ryzen 7 | Pentium |
| Model | 9800X3D | E6500 |
| Codename | Granite Ridge | Wolfdale |
| Class | desktop | desktop |
| Process | 4★ | 45 |
| Cores & Clocks | ||
| Cores | 8★ | 2 |
| P-cores | 8★ | 4 |
| Threads | 16★ | 4 |
| Base Clock | ||
| Boost Clock | ||
| Cache | ||
| L2 Cache | 8★ | 2 |
| L3 Cache | 96★ | 6 |
| Performance | ||
| PassMark Multi | ||
| PassMark Single | ||
| Memory | ||
| Memory Type | DDR5★ | DDR4 |
| Max Speed | ||
| Channels | 2★ | — |
| Max Memory | ||
| ECC | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Platform & Power | ||
| Socket | AM5 | LGA 775 |
| PCIe | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| PCIe Lanes | 28★ | 16 |
| TDP | 120 | 65★ |
| Max Turbo Power | 200★ | — |
| Unlocked | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Graphics & AI | ||
| Integrated Graphics | AMD Radeon Graphics | HD Graphics 530 |
Pros & Cons
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-core AM5
- Strong feature (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong social proof (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong platform (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong single thread (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Below average affordability (25th percentile)
Intel Pentium E6500 2-core LGA 775
- Strong affordability (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (79th percentile)
- Strong feature (70th percentile)
- Below average multi thread (21st percentile)
- Below average single thread (24th percentile)
- Below average efficiency (25th percentile)
Pricing
Intel Pentium E6500 2-core LGA 775 offers 1.2x better value for money
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-core AM5
Intel Pentium E6500 2-core LGA 775
Verdict
Scores 99 overall, wins 6 of 6 usage categories and 18 of 27 specs.