AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Packs 208MB Cache on One Chip
▼ Summary
– AMD’s X3D processors feature an extra 64MB of stacked L3 cache, called 3D V-Cache, which significantly boosts gaming performance.
– Previous 12- and 16-core X3D models had a hybrid design where only one of two CPU chiplets contained the 3D V-Cache.
– This hybrid design relied on driver software to direct cache-sensitive tasks to the correct cores, a system that was generally effective but sometimes flawed.
– The new Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition uniquely includes 64MB of 3D V-Cache on both of its processor chiplets.
– This gives the chip a total of 208MB of cache and is projected to be up to 10% faster in games and cache-sensitive applications than its predecessor.
For roughly four years, AMD has enhanced its premium desktop CPUs with a specialized feature known as 3D V-Cache. This technology integrates an additional 64MB of L3 cache, a modification that delivers outsized performance gains in gaming applications. The cache is stacked directly on top of the CPU die in older Ryzen 5000 and 7000 series processors, while the newer Ryzen 9000 series positions it beneath the die.
A unique architectural challenge has existed with the company’s 12- and 16-core models, including the 7900X3D, 7950XX3D, 9900X3D, and 9950X3D. These processors utilize two separate silicon chiplets, but only one of them is equipped with the extra 64MB of 3D V-Cache. This creates a hybrid configuration where the system must intelligently direct software to the cores with the enhanced cache. AMD’s driver software typically manages this task effectively, though the process can sometimes introduce errors.
The newly announced Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition represents a significant departure from this approach. This processor, notable for its lengthy name, incorporates 64MB of 3D V-Cache on both of its CPU chiplets. This symmetrical design eliminates the previous hybrid core arrangement, providing a uniform cache experience across all processor cores. The total cache configuration is substantial, combining 16MB of L2 cache with 32MB of native L3 cache on each die. Adding the dual 64MB stacks of 3D V-Cache brings the cumulative total to an impressive 208MB of cache.
According to AMD, this architectural shift yields tangible benefits. The company projects that the 9950X3D2 will offer performance improvements of up to 10 percent faster than the 9950X3D in gaming and other applications that are sensitive to large cache sizes. This advancement simplifies the core scheduling process for the operating system and could lead to more consistent performance in demanding workloads.
(Source: Ars Technica)
