AMD Ryzen 7600X3D, rumoured launch date for early next month, could be the new cheap gaming CPU.

AMD has reportedly released some new Zen 4 CPUs that are fratricidal, in the form of a Ryzen 5 7600X3D processor which is yet to be announced.

The upcoming chips are stacked up. Intel's Arrow Lake Core Ultra 200 series is just around the corner, and AMD Ryzen X3D chips also appear to be nearing launch. All this anticipation is good news for the chip industry after Intel's 13th/14th Gen crashes and AMD Zen 5 architecture Ryzen 9000 series launch.

We're now hearing that another AMD Ryzen 7700-series X3D processor could be on the market soon. Hoang Anh Phu, a tech leaker (via Videocardz), suggests that an AMD Ryzen 5 X3D 7600X3D will be released in early September.

This would coincide to rumours of AMD Ryzen 9000X3D processors possibly launching soon, and would arrive before a rumoured 10th October Intel Arrow Lake launch.

What can we expect from a chip like this? If the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D (limited edition) is anything to go by then the Ryzen 5 5600X3D would be able to repurpose an X3D chip of higher end by disabling certain cores or a CCD, rather than using a chip 7600X with some 3D-V-Cache on top. The 7600X would likely mimic the 7600X in terms of specs. It is a 6-core chip with 12 threads and a boost clock of 5.3 GHz.

If the price is right, then fewer cores with a lot of extra cache for gaming sounds like a great deal. The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D currently costs $367 on Amazon. It was previously on sale for less than this. A 7600X3D should be affordable enough to justify it as an excellent budget purchase.

If AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D launches, it could be a sign AMD will treat the AM5 socket with the same love and care that they have given to AM4, repurposing CCDs and chips into packages for different budgets. AMD announced, for example, the Ryzen 7 7700X3D in January, as well as Ryzen 7 5,700, Ryzen 7 5,700, Ryzen 7 600GT, and Ryzen 7 500GT. In June, AMD announced the Ryzen 7 5800XT and Ryzen 9 5900XT. Rumours suggest that a Ryzen 5 5500X3D is in the works.

These 5000-series processors are worth buying if you already have an AM4 motherboard, or if you can get a good deal on one. If the Ryzen 5 5500X3D is launched and costs less than $200, it will be an excellent budget gaming CPU.

If you want a future-proof AMD system, you will need to choose between an AMD 9000-series CPU and a AMD 7000 series CPU. These chips are expensive and I cannot recommend them over a 7000 series CPU as long as prices remain high. We don't know yet how much better the rumoured 9000X3D chip will perform or cost.

We do know that the 7000X3D processors on the market today are excellent value and some of the best choices for a gaming computer. AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is our top pick for the best gaming CPU on the market. Its 8 cores and 16 Threads are enough for gaming. The 5 GHz boost clock, combined with the 64 MB 3D V-Cache in its L3 cache, is also sufficient.

The 7800X3D offers the best value for current-gen platforms. Other 7000X3D processors (Ryzen 9 7950X3D or 7900X3D), while performing slightly better, are not worth the additional cost. A 7600X3D will be even cheaper, which could tempt those who are considering an AM4 option like the 5800X3D.

Other words, AMD may soon release a Ryzen 7000 series CPU that is affordable and performs well in games. This could tempt a wider audience away from AM4 platforms towards AM5, a platform for which AMD has already committed to support through 2027.

It's all speculation, but for once it's optimistic. Being able to speculate this way is a breath fresher.