Ryzen 7 3800XT vs Ryzen 7 7840S

AMD

Ryzen 7 3800XT

8 Cores16 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 7840S

8 Cores16 Thrd8 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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Ryzen 7 3800XT vs Ryzen 7 7840S Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 3800XT vs Ryzen 7 7840S 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 3800XT vs Ryzen 7 7840S: 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 3800XT

2020

Why buy it

  • +0.6% higher PassMark.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $399 MSRP, while Ryzen 7 7840S mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 1212.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 8W.
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 7840S moves to FP7/FP7r2/FP8 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 7840S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 7 7840S

2023

Why buy it

  • Draws 8W instead of 105W, a 97W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FP7/FP7r2/FP8 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 780M, while Ryzen 7 3800XT needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (23,290 vs 23,441).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 7840S better than Ryzen 7 3800XT?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 7840S is ahead with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 3800XT pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 3800XT also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 3800XT is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 7840S is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 3800XT is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 7 7840S comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $399 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen 7 3800XT is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 3800XT is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (58.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 7 7840S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FP7/FP7r2/FP8 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen 7 3800XT vs Ryzen 7 7840S Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 7 3800XT

The Ryzen 7 3800XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 23,441 points. Launch price was $399.

AMD

Ryzen 7 7840S

The Ryzen 7 7840S is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Phoenix-HS (Zen 4) (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP7r2/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 MB + 16 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 23,290 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 7 3800XT and Ryzen 7 7840S share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3800XT versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7840S — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 7840S (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Ryzen 7 3800XT uses the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Ryzen 7 7840S uses Phoenix-HS (Zen 4) (2023) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 7 3800XT scores 23,441 against the Ryzen 7 7840S's 23,290 — a 0.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 3800XT. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3800XT vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 7 7840S.

FeatureRyzen 7 3800XTRyzen 7 7840S
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.7 GHz
5.1 GHz+9%
Base Clock
3.8 GHz
3.8 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB+100%
16 MB
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+6300%
8 MB
Process
7 nm, 12 nm
4 nm-43%
Architecture
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
Phoenix-HS (Zen 4) (2023)
PassMark
23,441
23,290
Cinebench R23 Multi
13,500
Geekbench 6 Single
2,570
Geekbench 6 Multi
13,535
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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 7 3800XT uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 7840S uses FP7/FP7r2/FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3800XT versus DDR5-5600, LPDDR5x-7500 on the Ryzen 7 7840S — the Ryzen 7 7840S supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 7840S supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 7 3800XT) vs 20 (Ryzen 7 7840S) — the Ryzen 7 3800XT offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureRyzen 7 3800XTRyzen 7 7840S
Socket
AM4
FP7/FP7r2/FP8
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
DDR5-5600, LPDDR5x-7500+75%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
256 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24+20%
20
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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 3800XT has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 7 7840S supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 7 3800XT) vs AMD-V (SVM) (Ryzen 7 7840S). The Ryzen 7 7840S includes integrated graphics (Radeon 780M), while the Ryzen 7 3800XT requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 3800XT targets Desktop, Ryzen 7 7840S targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 7840S rivals Core i7-1360P.

FeatureRyzen 7 3800XTRyzen 7 7840S
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon 780M
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
AMD-V
AMD-V (SVM)
Target Use
Desktop
Gaming