https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/ryzen-9-7950x3d-surfaces-with-192mb-l3-cache-64mb-more-than-retail-cpu Skip to main content (*) ( ) Open menu Close menu Tom's Hardware [ ] Search Search Tom's Hardware [ ] RSS US Edition flag of US flag of UK UK flag of US US flag of Australia Australia flag of Canada Canada * * Reviews * Best Picks * Raspberry Pi * CPUs * GPUs * News * Coupons * More + Newsletter + PC Components + SSDs + Motherboards + PC Building + Monitors + Laptops + Desktops + Cooling + Cases + RAM + Power Supplies + 3D Printers + Peripherals + Overclocking + About Us Forums Trending * Nvidia Blackwell * AMD Ryzen Pro 8000 * Intel Gaudi 3 * Innovations Awards 2024 * Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite/Plus When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. 1. PC Components 2. CPUs Ryzen 9 7950X3D surfaces with 192MB L3 cache, 64MB more than retail CPU -- may be an ES CPU or software detection error News By Jeff Butts published 4 May 2024 An engineering sample that looks like a Windows bug, or vice versa? * * * * * * * Comments (3) AMD Ryzen 9 7000-Series CPU (Image credit: AMD) Maybe it was a Windows bug or a supply chain mistake, but an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, one of the best CPUs, surfaced with 64MB more L3 cache than usual. The Ryzen 9 7950X3D 16-core processor typically ships with 128MB of L3 cache, but this one reported 192MB. X user HXL made the rare find and posted screenshots of the Bilibili video with the reported specifications. While we expected to see a CPU with a 128MB L3 cache, we observed different specs. According to both Windows Task Manager and CPU-Z, the reported capacity of the L3 cache was 192MB. All of the other specifications look normal. AMD designed the Ryzen 9 7950X3D for gamers who wanted to enjoy CPU-limited games while still enjoying the productivity benefits of a 16-core CPU. It utilizes AMD's second-gen 3D V-Cache and, according to our testing, surpasses Intel's fastest chip. Some responses to HXL's screenshots suggested a bug in Windows. One user believes that it's an old CPUID bug that erroneously reports 192MB on the L3 cache. Others suggested that the builder lucked out and got an engineering sample, such as a prototype with a double 3D V-Cache die. Unfortunately, the user didn't perform any benchmarks to verify the integrity of the amount of reported L3 cache. Windows Task Manager and CPU-Z report on AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D CPU (Image credit: X user HXL) While a software bug is possible, we can't discard the fact that the Ryzen 9 7950X3D could be an early engineering sample that AMD was playing with. The technology is there, where the chiplets add 64MB of 7nm SRAM cache stacked on top of each core complex die (CCD). It can produce up to 192MB of L3 cache per Ryzen processor. Before AMD released the Ryzen 9 7950X3D in 2023, Gamers Nexus visited the company's campus in Austin, Texas. During that visit, the team discussed the different configurations tested with AMD. Among these were samples with multiple 3D stacked cache dies, which could lead to the 192MB L3 cache configuration being considered. The chipmaker demonstrated an unreleased Ryzen 9 5950X3D with a 192MB L3 cache to Gamers Nexus, so we know at least one exists. Ultimately, AMD may have opted not to manufacture the Ryzen 9 7950X3D in that configuration to maintain a uniform L3 cache pool. The engineers found that having multiple cache pools caused increased latency in most games, decreasing performance rather than increasing it. If an engineering sample is created, there's always a chance of it slipping through the cracks. These prototypes are supposed to be recycled or destroyed, of course, but mistakes happen. It seems most likely this extremely rare CPU with an extra L3 cache is one of those engineering samples. Alternatively, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D with 192MB L3 cache may be an engineering sample of AMD's upcoming EPYC 4004 series, which are server-grade Zen 4 chips with 3D V-Cache for the mainstream AM5 socket. Stay on the Cutting Edge Join the experts who read Tom's Hardware for the inside track on enthusiast PC tech news -- and have for over 25 years. We'll send breaking news and in-depth reviews of CPUs, GPUs, AI, maker hardware and more straight to your inbox. [ ][ ]Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands[ ]Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors[Sign me up] By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Jeff Butts Social Links Navigation Freelance News Writer See more CPUs News More about cpus Safedisk finds a 14900K with no silicon Overclocker sold a die-less Core i9-14900K in China -- product suffered from serious silicon deficiency Computer internals Rising metal prices could mean more expensive laptops, PC parts, and other electronics in the near future Latest The Cheyenne Supercomputer Multi-million dollar Cheyenne supercomputer auction ends with $480,085 bid -- buyer walked away with 8,064 Intel Xeon Broadwell CPUs, 313TB DDR4-2400 ECC RAM, and some water leaks See more latest > See all comments (3) [ ] 3 Comments Comment from the forums * kiniku Even a regular 7950X3D is a very impressive, sophisticated processor. If you want "it all", gaming, professional workloads, it delivers like no others. I am looking forward to seeing the 8000 series and its comparative performance. Maybe an 8800X3D? Reply * Vanderlindemedia The amount of cache may simply line-up. Remember whole X3D variants are defected, not passing Quality coming off of Epyc line to begin with. Reply * TechAndGame My 7950X3D also reports 192MB L3 cache, both in windows and in HWinfo windows: K9BHcp4View: https://i.imgur.com/K9BHcp4.png hwinfo: xyHDER8View: https://i.imgur.com/xyHDER8.png aida64 cpuid: atQOHTrView: https://i.imgur.com/atQOHTr.png Reply * View All 3 Comments Most Popular [missing-im]Nintendo obliterates 8,535 Yuzu repos -- Nintendo's most effective DMCA takedown campaign in years [missing-im]Chinese startup launching RISC-V laptop for devs and engineers priced at around $300 [missing-im]Microsoft's new RAM limiter for Edge browser makes its way into latest beta version [missing-im]Man who sold counterfeit Cisco networking gear on eBay and Amazon sentenced to six years in jail - Military, school and government agencies were victims of fraud scheme [missing-im]Asus launches dual-fan, triple-slot RX 7900 XTX -- a slightly smaller design with nearly the same performance [missing-im]Valve releases Proton 9.0 for Linux-- improves Nvidia graphics and high core count CPU compatibility [missing-im]SK hynix is teasing 300TB SSDs as it pushes into AI [missing-im]Enthusiast demos installing Alpine Linux with the Windows Installer [missing-im]Rising metal prices could mean more expensive laptops, PC parts, and other electronics in the near future [missing-im]Nvidia GeForce Now is slightly easier to install on Steam Deck [missing-im]AMD increases Instinct MI1300 sales guidance to $4 billion -- pales in comparison to Nvidia's $40B projection Tom's Hardware is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. * Terms and conditions * Contact Future's experts * Privacy policy * Cookies policy * Accessibility Statement * Advertise * About us * Coupons * Careers (c) Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. []