Take $200 off AMD’s powerful, 12-core Ryzen 7900X3D gaming CPU

AMD’s X3D-series Ryzen processors are a hit with PC gamers and system builders, and it’s easy to see why. These CPUs have a dramatic effect on game performance thanks to some extra 3D V-cache, a sort of “special sauce” design that boosts the pushing of polygons.

You’ll see them on sale from time to time, and right now you can take off a whopping $200 on the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D, bringing its retail price down to just $397.77 at Amazon.

The Ryzen 9 7900X3D is the second-fastest CPU of its generation, with 12 cores maxing out at 5.6GHz. More importantly, it uses double the L3 cache (compared to its non-X3D variant) to boost game performance by a noticeable amount, even without touching the GPU.

And speaking of GPUs, AMD motherboards are compatible with all of them—you can combine a Ryzen processor on an AM5-socket motherboard with an Nvidia graphics card, no problem.

That AM5 socket is a big deal, too. The Ryzen 7000 series is the first to use the new motherboard socket design, and if it’s anything like the AM4, it’ll get years of upgrades yet to come. So, if you’re looking to build a PC with plenty of longevity for future upgrades (including the brand-new Ryzen 9000 series coming out), then this is a great starting point.

I wish this deal had been around when I last upgraded my gaming PC, when I bought a 7800X3D for around the same price. Patience is a virtue; too bad I don’t have any. Just be aware that unlike some less-powerful CPUs, the 7900X3D doesn’t come with a cooler in the box.