For a few years now, AMD has supplied particular variations of its desktop processors with an additional 64MB chunk of L3 cache included. This cache is layered over prime of the prevailing CPU silicon, incomes it the identify “3D V-Cache,” and it has confirmed particularly profitable for accelerating cache-sensitive software program like video games.

At present, AMD is saying the primary 3D V-Cache processor for laptops, the Ryzen 9 7945X3D. It is a model of the common 16-core Ryzen 9 7945HX with that very same 64MB chunk of cache added in, giving it a complete of 144MB of L3 cache.

The 7945HX is basically a model of the desktop Ryzen 9 7950X repackaged to be used in laptops as a substitute of high-end desktops; whereas chips just like the equally named 7940HS use one monolithic silicon die for every thing from the CPU cores to the chipset to the built-in GPU, the 7950HX makes use of a pair of 8-core CPU chiplets and a separate I/O die.

By the identical token, the 7945X3D is a cellular model of the Ryzen 9 7950X3D for desktops. The 3D V-Cache is layered on prime of one of many CPU chiplets, giving it eight cores with entry to the additional cache and eight cores with out it; AMD’s chipset software program is chargeable for ensuring the “proper” cores are used for any given process, to the extent that the non-V-Cache cores could be parked completely when a recreation is operating. (In our testing of the 7950X3D, the software program labored as marketed, although as with many heterogenous CPU architectures, there have been hiccups).

One of many fringe advantages of the 7950X3D was additionally decrease energy utilization and better effectivity for the reason that CPU die with the cache stacked on prime wanted to be run at a decrease voltage to forestall overheating (we do not know whether or not that is additionally the case within the 7945X3D, but it surely appears doubtless). AMD says the 7945X3D’s efficiency benefit over the common 7945HX will increase because the processor’s TDP is lowered; at 45 W, the 7945X3D could be as much as 23 p.c quicker than the 7945HX in video games. At 70 W, the 7945X3D has a smaller 11 p.c efficiency benefit. AMD says you need to anticipate it to be about 15 p.c quicker in video games than the 7945HX on common.

For now, the 7945X3D will solely launch in a single laptop computer: a model of Asus’s ROG Strix Scar 17, which launches on August 22. AMD stated that the ROG Strix Scar could be the one 7945X3D laptop computer “for the foreseeable future,” although presumably any design that at the moment makes use of a 7000-series HX CPU just like the 7945HX must also be capable of use the 7945X3D with minimal modifications. The configuration AMD examined with consists of 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a cellular Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, which is able to make this one of many quickest (if not the quickest) gaming laptops you should purchase, although, as with every gaming laptop computer, your efficiency might be restricted a bit by energy limits and temperature ceilings.

AMD did not say what the 7945X3D model of the Strix Scar 17 would price, however the protected reply is “greater than $3,300,” which is the present avenue value of the identical laptop computer with a 7945HX in it.

If that value makes you cringe, AMD has extra budget-conscious X3D processor choices for desktop patrons. Final month, the corporate introduced a Micro Heart-exclusive Ryzen 5 5600X3D, an improve focused at homeowners of older socket AM4 Ryzen methods who need a budget-minded efficiency enhance with out having to improve to a more moderen AM5 system (or purchase a flowery new laptop computer).

Itemizing picture by AMD/Andrew Cunningham