Ryzen 7 3700X vs Ryzen 9 9850HX

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Ryzen 7 3700X vs Ryzen 9 9850HX FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Ryzen 7 3700X vs Ryzen 9 9850HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 51,665).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (32 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Ryzen 9 9850HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 9 9850HX moves to FL1 and DDR5.

Ryzen 9 9850HX

2025

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FL1 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon 610M, while Ryzen 7 3700X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 9850HX better than Ryzen 7 3700X?

Yes. Ryzen 9 9850HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 130.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 9850HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 9850HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 130.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 9 9850HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 3700X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 9 9850HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 7 3700X is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 9 9850HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FL1 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 100% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen 7 3700X vs Ryzen 9 9850HX Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

Ryzen 9 9850HX

The Ryzen 9 9850HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FL1. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 51,665 points. Launch price was $499.

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Processing Power

The Ryzen 7 3700X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 9 9850HX offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 9850HX has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 9 9850HX — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 9850HX (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Ryzen 9 9850HX uses Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 3700X scores 22,430 against the Ryzen 9 9850HX's 51,665 — a 78.9% lead for the Ryzen 9 9850HX. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 9850HX.

Feature	Ryzen 7 3700X	Ryzen 9 9850HX
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	12 / 24+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5.2 GHz+18%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+20%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB	64 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+51100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm	4 nm-43%
Architecture	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)	Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025)
PassMark	22,430	51,665+130%

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 3700X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 9 9850HX uses FL1 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X versus 5600 on the Ryzen 9 9850HX — the Ryzen 9 9850HX supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 9850HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) vs 28 (Ryzen 9 9850HX) — the Ryzen 9 9850HX offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X) and FL1 (Ryzen 9 9850HX).

Feature	Ryzen 7 3700X	Ryzen 9 9850HX
Socket	AM4	FL1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	5600+75%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	28+17%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X) / VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen 9 9850HX). The Ryzen 9 9850HX includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon 610M), while the Ryzen 7 3700X requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 9850HX rivals Core Ultra 7 255HX.