Tag: Ryzen 7 9800X3D

  • Steampunk Gaming PC Cools RTX 5080 Without a Fan

    Steampunk Gaming PC Cools RTX 5080 Without a Fan

    Key Takeaway

    – A passive, multi-heat-sink loop can cool a high-end CPU/GPU without a fan, relying on natural convective circulation driven by temperature differences.
    – The system maintains usable performance even under load, though CPU and GPU temps can exceed typically recommended long-term operating levels (e.g., CPU ~90°C, coolant ~55°C).
    – System uses substantial passive hardware (large heat sinks, aluminum plate with thermal pads) and conventional components (Gigabyte Aorus Pro B850, 32 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD, 600W PSU) without modifying the fans on the rest of the case.


    Fans are often an annoying part of a gaming PC due to the noise they make, but can hardly be avoided with powerful and correspondingly energy-hungry hardware. Billet Labs, a British manufacturer of high-quality components for PC water cooling systems, shows a modding project in the video embedded below, in which an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 ($1,299 on Amazon) are cooled entirely without a fan.

    Cooling Concept and Setup

    The project uses three heat sinks, which are connected to each other by a passive water cooling system. The heat sinks measure 40 x 20 cm, 28 x 14 cm and 24 x 12 cm. Without a pump, the cooling liquid only circulates due to the temperature differences between the liquid that has direct contact with the CPU or GPU, and the liquid in the heat sinks. This setup aims to passively transfer heat through conduction and convection aided by the natural buoyancy of the warm liquid.

    Hardware Configuration

    Billet Labs uses a Gigabyte Aorus Pro B850 mainboard, 32 GB RAM, a 2 TB SSD and a 600 watt power supply unit for this PC, which is not modified and is therefore cooled with a fan. The mainboard is mounted on an 8 millimeter thick aluminum plate with thick thermal pads to help distribute the heat. The choice of components is framed as a balance between performance and minimal active cooling, leveraging passive flow dynamics instead of fans.

    Performance Observations

    Even without a fan, the PC works surprisingly well in many scenarios. In idle, the coolant remains relatively cool with a temperature of 28 °C. If the processor is fully utilized using Cinebench, the coolant heats up to 39 °C after half an hour and the CPU even reaches 90 °C, but performance does not drop. If the GPU is also used, for example in Cyberpunk 2077, the coolant reaches temperatures of over 55 °C – the performance remains stable, but the temperatures are higher than recommended for long-term operation.


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  • AMD Zen 6 vs Intel Nova Lake: Gaming Battle with 288MB V-Cache

    AMD Zen 6 vs Intel Nova Lake: Gaming Battle with 288MB V-Cache

    Key Takeaways

    1. AMD Zen 6 CPUs may feature up to 144 MB of 3D V-Cache, a significant increase from the previously expected 96 MB.
    2. Intel’s Nova Lake CPUs could offer up to 288 MB of last-level cache, potentially giving Intel an advantage in gaming performance.
    3. Both AMD and Intel’s high cache options are expected to come with high price tags, especially for models with 288 MB of cache.
    4. The performance comparison between AMD Zen 6 and Intel Nova Lake will depend on factors like per-core IPC improvements and clock speeds.
    5. Current performance metrics for both CPU lines have not been disclosed, leaving the competition outcome uncertain.


    The AMD Zen 6 CPUs were earlier thought to have 96 MB of 3D V-Cache, which is a 50% rise from the 64 MB found in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. With a possible 10%+ boost in single-core IPC, it seemed like AMD Zen 6 would hold onto its gaming title. Nonetheless, Intel Nova Lake might bring up to 288 MB of last-level “bLLC” cache, possibly giving Intel the upper hand in gaming.

    AMD’s Surprise Move

    Recent leaks suggest AMD may have something special up its sleeve. According to leaker HXL, the Zen 6 CPUs may feature a single 3D V-Cache die with 144 MB, rather than the previously speculated 96 MB. This means that Zen 6 X3D models could potentially offer 144 MB of last-level cache, while versions with dual 3D V-Cache dies might provide a whopping 288 MB of additional L3 cache.

    Cache Comparison with Intel

    The 3D V-Cache setup for Zen 6 CPUs aligns with the Intel Nova Lake CPUs. Reports indicate that NVL-S desktop chips featuring dual-bLLC could also offer 288 MB of last-level cache. However, such a substantial increase in L3 cache might come with a hefty price tag. So, prepare to shell out some serious money if you’re interested in Zen 6 or Nova Lake CPUs with 288 MB of last-level cache.

    Even with pricing concerns, having 288 MB of extra L3 cache is significant for gaming. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D already demonstrates the impact of a 64 MB section of 3D V-Cache on gaming performance. Therefore, we can anticipate that both Intel Nova Lake and AMD Zen 6 CPUs with this extra L3 cache will provide outstanding gaming experiences.

    The Final Showdown

    At this point, it’s hard to determine which company will take the lead since Intel and AMD haven’t disclosed any performance metrics yet. If both Intel Nova Lake and AMD Zen 6 have the same amount of last-level cache, the outcome of the gaming performance clash will hinge on factors like per-core IPC improvements and clock speeds.

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  • Core Ultra 9 285K vs Ryzen 7 9800X3D: Intel’s Gaming Struggles

    Core Ultra 9 285K vs Ryzen 7 9800X3D: Intel’s Gaming Struggles

    Key Takeaways

    1. Intel’s Arrow Lake Core Ultra 200S processors prioritize power efficiency over maximum performance.
    2. The gaming performance of the Core Ultra 200S chips has declined, significantly lagging behind AMD’s Zen 5 CPUs.
    3. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D outperformed the Core Ultra 9 285K by an average of 35% in gaming tests at 1080/Medium settings.
    4. Intel’s updates and the new 200S Boost overclocking tool provided only a slight 3% performance increase for the Core Ultra 9 285K.
    5. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains the top choice for gamers, while Intel faces challenges in regaining their former gaming performance dominance.


    With the launch of the Arrow Lake Core Ultra 200S desktop processors, Intel seems to have shifted its strategy. The focus moved from aiming for the highest performance to seeking better power efficiency. To some degree, Intel succeeded in cutting down the power usage of the Arrow Lake desktop chips while still maintaining solid single-core and multi-core performance. Nevertheless, the gaming capabilities of the Core Ultra 200S desktop processors saw a significant decline, falling short when compared to AMD’s Zen 5 CPUs.

    Performance Comparisons

    For example, in our review of the Zen5X3D chip, it was found that the Ryzen 7 9800X3D was an astonishing 40% quicker in gaming. Even though the Core Ultra 200S Arrow Lake chips debuted with some issues, Intel has since rolled out updates and fixes to help close the gaming performance gap. Moreover, they introduced a one-click overclocking tool named the 200S Boost, aimed at maximizing the performance of the Core Ultra 200S processors.

    Gaming Tests

    Hardware Unboxed conducted a comparison of the gaming performance between the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the Core Ultra 9 285K, testing both with and without the 200S Boost to evaluate how much progress the Intel Arrow Lake flagship has made since its debut. Unfortunately, even with performance-enhancing updates and the 200S Boost, the Core Ultra 9 285K still could not compete with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D in gaming scenarios. According to Hardware Unboxed’s testing of 12 games at 1080/Medium settings, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D was about 35% faster on average. The margin narrowed when switching to 1080p/High settings, but it remained a noteworthy 26% ahead of the Core Ultra 9 285K. This is significant, especially given that the Core Ultra 9 285K utilized faster DDR5-8200 memory in comparison to the Ryzen’s DDR5-6000.

    Conclusion

    The gaming performance of the Core Ultra 9 285K reportedly saw a slight boost with the 200S Boost, but it was only around 3%. As a result, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D continues to be much swifter than the Core Ultra 9 285K, whether the chip is overclocked using the 200S Boost or not. In simple terms, if you are a gamer in search of the very best CPU, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the clear choice. This is a disappointing reality for Intel, as their CPUs were once the top performers in gaming. The outlook doesn’t seem to get any better with the forthcoming Intel Arrow Lake Refresh. However, Intel might have a shot at competing against AMD with Nova Lake, though that architecture is still a few years off.


     

  • Intel Arrow Lake Refresh Leak: Up to 10% Gaming Performance Boost

    Intel Arrow Lake Refresh Leak: Up to 10% Gaming Performance Boost

    Key Takeaways

    1. Intel is updating the Core Ultra 200 Arrow Lake CPU architecture with significant improvements, expected in a few months, without a complete redesign.

    2. The Arrow Lake Refresh CPUs will maintain the same core count but feature higher clock speeds, with a potential boost clock reaching up to 6 GHz.

    3. Intel plans to enhance the Ring Bus clock frequencies to improve data transfer rates between CPU components, while avoiding previous stability issues.

    4. The die-to-die clock speed will also be increased, allowing for quicker data transfer between different silicon dies in a CPU package.

    5. Performance expectations suggest a 7-10% gaming performance boost over existing Arrow Lake chips, but it may still lag behind AMD’s Zen5X3D CPUs.


    Intel is said to be working on an updated version of the Core Ultra 200 Arrow Lake CPU architecture. This new Arrow Lake Refresh CPU architecture, which is expected to arrive in a few months, won’t be a full redesign but will include some significant improvements, based on recent leaks from Moore’s Law Is Dead.

    Core Specs and Enhancements

    Earlier, MLID reported that the Arrow Lake Refresh chips would maintain the same core count as the first-generation Arrow Lake products, with the main updates being higher clock speeds and the introduction of a new NPU4. However, later information contradicted the presence of the NPU4. Now, MLID indicates that while there won’t be a new NPU in the Arrow Lake Refresh chips, several important tweaks are still anticipated.

    The leaker emphasizes that the clock speeds for the Arrow Lake Refresh CPUs will be increased, although no exact figures were shared. Nevertheless, MLID suspects that the boost clock may reach as high as 6 GHz but is not expected to touch the 7 GHz level rumored for AMD’s Zen 6 chips.

    Clock Frequency Changes

    Interestingly, MLID suggests that Intel is planning to enhance the Ring Bus clock frequencies in the Arrow Lake Refresh products. The Ring Bus serves to connect various components of a CPU, such as cores, L3 cache, and I/O. This connection acts like a highway, facilitating smooth data transfers between parts. A higher Ring Bus clock can improve the data transfer rates, but excessively high voltage can lead to system instability, a problem seen in Intel’s 13th and 14th generation CPUs.

    According to MLID, Intel has reportedly kept the Ring Bus clock lower in the original Arrow Lake CPUs to sidestep potential instability problems. This choice might have hindered the performance of Arrow Lake CPUs, which is why Intel is said to be raising the Ring Bus clocks in the upcoming Core Ultra 200 series.

    Performance Expectations

    In addition to the increased Ring Bus frequency, Intel is also believed to be enhancing the die-to-die clock speed. The die-to-die interconnect links different silicon dies within a single CPU package. Elevating the clock speed of this interconnect should allow for quicker data transfer between the different dies.

    MLID predicts that with these improvements, the Intel Arrow Lake Refresh CPUs will deliver a gaming performance boost of 7-10% compared to the existing Arrow Lake chips. While this is a solid performance increase for a minor architectural update, it’s unlikely to surpass AMD’s Zen5X3D CPUs. For example, in our review, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D was approximately 40% faster than the Core Ultra 9 285K in gaming scenarios.

    In conclusion, the Intel Arrow Lake Refresh CPUs appear to be better than what was initially suggested. We will need to wait for the official release to assess the final performance of these CPUs and see if Intel’s decision to refresh Arrow Lake was wise. Until then, it’s best to take this information with some skepticism.

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  • Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Performance Issues on PC

    Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Performance Issues on PC

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered shows poor performance with persistent stutters, even on high-end hardware.
    2. A new patch removed DLSS, FSR, and various graphical settings, leading to continued frame rate issues.
    3. The game is demanding on both CPU and GPU, with open-world gameplay suffering from visual fluidity.
    4. Lowering graphical settings provides minimal performance gains that don’t justify the drop in quality.
    5. Despite performance issues, Oblivion Remastered has attracted over four million players, highlighting nostalgia among fans.


    The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion made waves when it hit consoles and PCs in 2006. Recently, a Digital Foundry technical review showed that the remastered version doesn’t perform much better. Persistent stutters interfere with the improved textures and realistic lighting, even on the best CPUs and GPUs. Alex Battaglia mentioned that the performance of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is considered “one of the worst running games he has ever tested.”

    Patch Issues

    A new patch for Oblivion Remastered removed DLSS, FSR, and various graphical settings on the PC Game Pass version. Even when upscaling is back, the game struggles to maintain a steady frame rate and shows a disappointing frame-time graph. Digital Foundry did their tests using an Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU alongside either a Ryzen 5 3600 or Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor. Even at 1080p with DLSS performance options activated, stuttering was common on both lower and higher-end CPUs.

    Performance Challenges

    Oblivion Remastered is surprisingly demanding on both CPU and GPU. In confined spaces, the gameplay often runs smoothly across a variety of hardware. Just like its predecessor, the vast open world draws players in but sacrifices visual fluidity. Regrettably, decreasing settings like Ray Traced-based Lumen global illumination shows limited improvement. The RTX 5090 coupled with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D achieved frame rates above 60 fps, yet stutters were still evident.

    The review suggests beginning with the High preset and adjusting the hardware lighting mode down. However, after making these changes, the drop in graphical quality doesn’t justify the slight performance gains. Digital Foundry wrapped up by stating that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered’s performance urgently needs a patch for better optimization.

    Player Engagement

    Despite its fluctuating frame rates, Oblivion Remastered has drawn in over four million players. Nevertheless, the stuttering is a memory that nostalgic fans wish Bethesda could have left behind in the past.

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  • AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Now Available at MSRP – Buy Yours Today

    AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Now Available at MSRP – Buy Yours Today

    Key Takeaways

    1. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is back in stock at its MSRP of $479 after high demand and previous sellouts.
    2. It features AMD’s Zen 5 architecture with a stacked 3D V-cache of 96 MB, providing excellent real-world performance.
    3. The CPU has an eight-core and 16-thread setup, with base clock speeds of 4.7 GHz and boost speeds up to 5.2 GHz, maintaining a thermal design power (TDP) of 120W.
    4. It supports advanced technologies like Precision Boost 2, PCIe 5.0, and AMD EXPO, enhancing its capabilities.
    5. Reviews highlight the Ryzen 7 9800X3D as an exceptional gaming CPU, noted for its strong performance, though the difference from its predecessor, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, is minimal.


    Ever since it was released in November of last year, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has been either quickly selling out or priced much higher than its suggested retail price. However, there’s some positive news for fans of Team Red, as this well-reviewed processor is now back in stock at online stores, available for its MSRP. The 9800X3D has made headlines for various reasons, including unfortunate incidents where it has failed or stopped functioning due to ASRock or MSI motherboards, and a recent case of fake CPU shipments from Amazon.

    Availability and Pricing

    Currently, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D can be bought through Amazon, Newegg, and Best Buy for its launch price of $479. B&H Photo also had it listed, but it appears to be sold out, indicating that the stock may not last long. The strong demand for this CPU is attributed to its excellent value and gaming performance, similar to what its predecessor, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, offered.

    Performance and Specifications

    The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is built on AMD’s Zen 5 architecture, showcasing remarkable real-world performance due to its stacked 3D V-cache of 96 MB. While the core count might seem lower compared to some Intel CPUs, its eight-core and 16-thread setup is capable of providing high-level performance without a significant power draw. It has a default thermal design power (TDP) rating of 120W, with base clock speeds of 4.7 GHz and a boost speed reaching up to 5.2 GHz.

    Technology Support and Review Insights

    It also comes with support for the newest technologies such as Precision Boost 2, PCIe 5.0, and AMD EXPO, among others. In our evaluation of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, we concluded that it is an exceptional gaming CPU with solid all-around performance. It stands out as the fastest gaming CPU available, even though the difference in gaming performance compared to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D isn’t very large.

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  • Powerful PC Needed for inZOI: Ryzen 7 9800X3D Recommended

    Powerful PC Needed for inZOI: Ryzen 7 9800X3D Recommended

    Key Takeaways

    1. inZOI is a life simulation game developed with Unreal Engine 5, requiring high-end hardware for optimal performance.
    2. Recommended system specs for high settings include Ryzen 7 9800X3D or Intel i7 14700K CPU, RTX 4080 or Radeon RX 7900 XTX GPU, 32GB RAM, and 75GB storage.
    3. Minimum requirements allow for Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel i5 10400 CPU, RTX 2060 or Radeon RX 5600XT GPU, 12GB RAM, and 40GB storage.
    4. Recommended specs for a smooth experience feature Ryzen 7 7800X3D or Intel i7 12700K CPU, RTX 3070 or Radeon RX 6800XT GPU, 16GB RAM, and 60GB storage.
    5. inZOI is set to launch on March 27, with early access available on Steam and a live showcase on March 19, 2025.


    inZOI is an anticipated life simulation game being developed using Unreal Engine 5, and it’s sure to be quite demanding. The studio behind it, inZOI Studios, has provided detailed system requirements to ensure players have the best experience across various visual settings. For those wishing to play the game at the High preset, a Ryzen 7 9800X3D is suggested. This CPU ranks among the most powerful gaming processors available today, if not the top one, and inZOI appears to be robust enough to necessitate such strength.

    System Requirements Overview

    The official website of the developer outlines the hardware needed to enjoy inZOI at the High preset. Players will need either a Ryzen 7 9800X3D or an Intel i7 14700K CPU, along with an RTX 4080 or a Radeon RX 7900 XTX GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 75GB of storage space. For those looking at the minimum specs, they can get by with a Ryzen 5 3600 or an Intel i5 10400 CPU, an RTX 2060 or a Radeon RX 5600XT GPU, 12GB of RAM, and 40GB of storage.

    Recommended Specifications

    inZOI Studios recommends a gaming setup with either a Ryzen 7 7800X3D or an Intel i7 12700K, plus an RTX 3070 or Radeon RX 6800XT, 16GB of RAM, and 60GB of storage to have a smooth experience. Additionally, the developer has released a comparison video showcasing the various visual presets in action. These specifications are quite demanding for a gaming PC, and players with mid-tier setups might need to use technologies like DLSS, FSR, or XeSS to enhance their frame rates, depending on whether the game supports these upscalers.

    Release Information

    The launch date for inZOI is set for March 27, and it will be available for download on Steam. The game will enter early access, and a live showcase is planned for March 19, 2025, at 01:00 UTC.

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  • Another Ryzen 7 9800X3D Fails on MSI X870E Tomahawk WiFi

    Another Ryzen 7 9800X3D Fails on MSI X870E Tomahawk WiFi

    Key Takeaways

    1. A Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU reportedly exploded while paired with an MSI motherboard, marking a new case of malfunctioning hardware.
    2. The user shared images on Reddit showing a deformity in the CPU, while the motherboard appears undamaged.
    3. The specific motherboard involved was an MSI X870E Tomahawk WiFi, suggesting potential issues with MSI boards alongside ASRock.
    4. Previous incidents with ASRock motherboards led to a BIOS update that resolved the issues, but MSI has not yet responded to the current concerns.
    5. Many Reddit users have noted that failures of the 9800X3D CPU are not limited to ASRock motherboards, highlighting potential problems with MSI Tomahawk boards.


    There’s been another report of a malfunctioning Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, but this time it doesn’t involve an ASRock motherboard. A user on Reddit posted photos of their “exploded” CPU, which was paired with an MSI motherboard. The specific cause of this incident remains uncertain, but multiple Redditors have noted that many of these failures seem to link back to MSI Tomahawk motherboards.

    Details Shared on Reddit

    The post by the user Realistic_Age_718 appeared around 15 hours ago in the r/pcmasterrace subreddit. The user did not provide extensive details, only sharing some images and indicating that their Ryzen 7 9800X3D had exploded. The pictures clearly highlight a bulging or some kind of deformity at the center of the CPU, which resulted in it ceasing to function. One photo reveals the socket, which appears to be undamaged and intact.

    Motherboard Information

    Another image displays the motherboard SKU that was allegedly used with the faulty 9800X3D. It was an MSI X870E Tomahawk WiFi motherboard, which, according to the picture, had a Ryzen 5 8500G APU installed at the time. The user likely captured this photo with another CPU placed on the motherboard to access the BIOS, indicating that the motherboard itself may still be operational. Although MSI has yet to make a statement, many users on Reddit have pointed out that it’s not solely ASRock motherboards that are causing issues with 9800X3D CPUs—MSI Tomahawk boards are also implicated.

    Previous Actions by ASRock

    When similar issues were reported with ASRock motherboards, the company looked into the matter and released a BIOS update that seemed to resolve the problem. They also created a dedicated megathread on Reddit for users to share their experiences and gather further information via a web form. As mentioned, MSI has not yet responded to these concerns.

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  • Fake Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review: Received AMD FX 4100 Instead

    Fake Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review: Received AMD FX 4100 Instead

    Key Takeaways

    1. A counterfeit AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D was delivered to a reviewer, disguised with a sticker, but was actually an outdated AMD FX 4100 CPU.
    2. The reviewer noticed significant differences in the CPU’s design compared to the genuine 9800X3D.
    3. The counterfeit product had a convincing sticker that misrepresented it as a Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
    4. The counterfeit CPU was purchased directly from Amazon, not a third-party seller, raising concerns about Amazon’s quality control.
    5. The reviewer has initiated a refund process and suggested that Amazon may need to investigate the situation with AMD.


    The recent wave of PC hardware scams has brought to light a counterfeit AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D that was delivered to a reviewer through Amazon.de. However, this item was far from being a genuine 9800X3D. A writer and reviewer from Hardware Busters recounted his experience with this AMD CPU, which turned out to be an outdated AMD FX CPU that had a sticker affixed to it. While counterfeit CPUs have been reported in the past, this particular scam appears to be a new variant, and Amazon may not bear full responsibility.

    Initial Impressions

    The writer, cmaris from Hardware Busters, stated on their site that they ordered a Ryzen 7 9800X3D for their CPU testing system on February 25, and it arrived on March 4. When he opened the box on March 9, everything seemed normal, as the packaging appeared to be for the 9800X3D. However, he quickly noticed significant differences between the genuine 9800X3D and the product he received. Having previously owned a 9800X3D, he recognized the dissimilarities in the heatspreader, pins, and the underside of the CPU, which looked nothing like the authentic 9800X3D.

    Uncovering the Truth

    Upon closer examination, he discovered a sticker on top of the processor that, when removed, revealed it was actually a 2011 AMD FX 4100 CPU. The sticker claimed it was a Ryzen 7 9800X3D and included other official markings, making it appear convincingly real. While there have been instances where the integrated heat spreader (IHS) was swapped out, resulting in a faulty CPU, this seems to be an entirely new type of deception.

    Amazon’s Involvement

    Cmaris emphasized that the processor was not acquired from a third-party seller on Amazon but was directly from Amazon itself. Although the box was sealed, it’s possible it was returned by a previous customer who then placed the sticker on an older CPU to obtain a refund for the 9800X3D. If this is not the case, Amazon may need to contact AMD to investigate the situation. Cmaris has initiated the process for a refund.

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  • RTX 5080 Added to Blackwell GPUs That Overheat Power Connectors

    RTX 5080 Added to Blackwell GPUs That Overheat Power Connectors

    Key Takeaways

    1. A Reddit user reported a malfunctioning RTX 5080, highlighting potential issues in the RTX 50 series.
    2. The RTX 5080 showed a red light warning, indicating a cable connection issue, leading to reduced GPU performance.
    3. Damage was found at the PSU end of the 12VHPWR connector, though not as severe as issues with the RTX 5090.
    4. Tests revealed RTX 50 series cards could reach extremely high temperatures and draw excessive current, suggesting design flaws.
    5. Concerns over the reliability of RTX 5090 and 5080 may lead buyers to consider alternative options like the RX 9070 XT.


    If the issues with the spontaneously combusting Ryzen 7 9800X3D and GeForce RTX 5090 power connectors weren’t enough, there’s a new problem on the horizon. A Reddit user recently shared their experience with a malfunctioning RTX 5080, which has almost half the thermal design power (TDP) of the RTX 5090.

    The Discovery of a Problem

    User u/Ambitious_Ladder1320 realized something was wrong when their GeForce RTX 5080 began flashing a red light, an indicator often linked to a cable connection issue. After re-seating the cable and rebooting their system, the warning light disappeared; however, the GPU performance dropped to PCIe Gen3 speeds. Consequently, their display’s refresh rate and resolution were noticeably lower. A closer look revealed significant damage at the PSU end of the 12VHPWR connector, though it was not as severe as the issues seen with the earlier RTX 5090.

    Design Flaws in the RTX 50 Series

    This points toward a possible design flaw in the RTX 50 series, especially since Der8auer’s tests showed that the cards could reach temperatures of 150 degrees Celsius and pull as much as 22 Amperes of current—much higher than the wire’s specifications allow. Gamer’s Nexus has also jumped in to examine the situation, offering to purchase the PSU, cable, and the RTX 5080 for further investigation.

    User Error or Serious Concern?

    We will have to wait and see if this is a matter of user mistake, a theory proposed by at least one Redditor. Regardless, this raises red flags for anyone considering buying an RTX 5090 or 5080. However, acquiring one of these cards is nearly impossible right now. It might be wiser to hold out for the RX 9070 XT, and with a bit of luck, you could even get your hands on the 32 GB version later this year.

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