AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS are both 8-core, 16-thread processors, but they are engineered for entirely different environments. The 9800X3D is a desktop part designed for maximum performance, while the PRO 8840HS is a mobile part built for efficiency. The benchmark data shows a complete sweep for the desktop chip, with the 9800X3D winning all 15 head-to-head comparisons. However, the average benchmark scores are remarkably close, with the 9800X3D at 39768 and the PRO 8840HS at 39603, a delta of just 0.4%. This confirms the mobile chip's efficiency, but it does not change the fact that in every single measured workload, the desktop part is faster. The choice is not about which is more powerful, but about which platform—desktop or mobile—suits your needs.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the superior processor in every benchmark recorded. It wins all 15 head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from a modest 17.6% in data encryption to a staggering 403.6% in find prime numbers. If you are building a desktop system and require the absolute maximum performance, the 9800X3D is the clear pick. Its closest rival in the data is the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, which it edges out by 0.8% in average score. The PRO 8840HS, on the other hand, is not a competitor in the same arena; it is a mobile chip that trades blows with the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450, beating it by just 0.3% in average score. The PRO 8840HS is for users who need a capable processor in a laptop, where the 28W TDP and integrated Radeon 780M graphics are critical. The 9800X3D is for users who prioritize raw speed and are building a desktop with a discrete GPU.

Architecture Differences

The two chips are built on different architectural generations and for different sockets. The 9800X3D is a desktop processor from the 9000 series, using the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Granite Ridge. It fits into an AMD Socket AM5. The PRO 8840HS is a mobile processor from the 8000 series, using the older Zen 4 architecture with the codename Hawk Point. It fits into an AMD Socket FP7. Both are manufactured on a 4 nm process by TSMC, but the similarities end there. The 9800X3D has a massive 96 MB of shared L3 cache, a key feature for gaming and data-heavy tasks, while the PRO 8840HS has only 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The 9800X3D also has a larger L1 cache at 80 KB per core compared to 64 KB per core. The 9800X3D features a Radeon Graphics iGPU, while the PRO 8840HS has a more robust Radeon 780M. The 9800X3D supports PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes, whereas the PRO 8840HS is limited to PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The 9800X3D has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking, while the PRO 8840HS is locked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, which is slightly higher than the 5.10 GHz boost clock of the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS.

Q: Are both processors on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS are manufactured on a 4 nm process by TSMC.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has a significantly larger L3 cache at 96 MB (shared), compared to the 16 MB (shared) on the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS.

Q: What is the difference in their power consumption?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has a TDP of 120W, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS has a much lower TDP of 28W, reflecting its mobile design.

Q: Is the integrated graphics different between the two?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D features a Radeon Graphics iGPU, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS features a Radeon 780M iGPU.

Q: Which processor can be overclocked?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has an unlocked multiplier and can be overclocked. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The core specifications paint a clear picture of two different product categories. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is a desktop chip with a base clock of 4.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS is a mobile chip with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The 9800X3D has a TDP of 120W, whereas the PRO 8840HS has a TDP of 28W. They use different sockets: AM5 for the 9800X3D and FP7 for the PRO 8840HS. The cache hierarchy is wildly different, with the 9800X3D having 80 KB of L1 per core and 96 MB of shared L3, while the PRO 8840HS has 64 KB of L1 per core and 16 MB of shared L3. Both have 1 MB of L2 per core. The 9800X3D has a transistor count of 8,315 million on a 70.6 mm² die, while the PRO 8840HS has 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The 9800X3D supports PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes, while the PRO 8840HS supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The 9800X3D was released on 2024-11-06 with a launch MSRP of $479, while the PRO 8840HS was released on 2024-04-15 and has no listed launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are a one-sided affair. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 9800X3D scores 23230 against the PRO 8840HS's 14784, a 57.1% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 9800X3D leads with 2080 vs 1724, a 20.6% delta. The single-core advantage is consistent across tests, with the 9800X3D scoring 4430 in Passmark single-thread vs 3692 for the PRO 8840HS, a 20% lead. The multi-core gap is even more pronounced in other tests. In Passmark multi-thread, the 9800X3D scores 40009 vs 26646, a 50.2% lead. The most extreme difference is in Passmark find prime numbers, where the 9800X3D scores 423 vs 84, a 403.6% advantage. In Passmark physics, the 9800X3D scores 4083 vs 1351, a 202.2% lead. The 9800X3D also shows a 74% lead in Passmark extended instructions, scoring 38808 vs 22298. Even in less extreme workloads, the 9800X3D is ahead: 50.4% in data compression (468017 vs 311199), 42.6% in floating point math (79456 vs 55739), 25% in integer math (116709 vs 93342), and 28% in random string sorting (48526 vs 37922). The smallest delta is in data encryption, where the 9800X3D still leads by 17.6% (22158 vs 18838).

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins in every single workload measured. It is the definitive choice for desktop users who demand the highest possible performance in multi-threaded tasks like video rendering (Cinebench R23 multi-core), physics simulations (Passmark physics), and heavy integer math workloads. Its massive 96 MB of L3 cache and higher clock speeds make it a superior part for any compute-intensive application. The PRO 8840HS wins in no benchmarks, but its advantage lies in its platform. With a TDP of just 28W, it is designed for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermal management are paramount. Its integrated Radeon 780M graphics are more capable than the basic Radeon Graphics in the 9800X3D, making it a better fit for a mobile system without a discrete GPU. The PRO 8840HS also has a much higher transistor count (25,000 million vs 8,315 million), suggesting a more complex and integrated design, which is typical for mobile SoCs. If you need a desktop processor, the 9800X3D is the one to get. If you need a laptop processor, the PRO 8840HS is a strong contender, but it will not match the desktop chip's raw performance.