The magic of 3D-V-Cache will make some of AMD's new laptop APUs absolute gaming monsters.

You'll know there's a magic phrase that excites PC gamers about AMD CPUs: 3D V cache. The upcoming Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the first chip that will feature the latest version of performance cache, but an eagle eyed tech fan has spotted a hint that AMD plans to add it to Threadripper chips as well as the next generation laptop APUs.

Chiphell (via Videocardz) has the details. Forum user zhangzhonghao commented that AMD will begin adding 3D V-Cache on some of its laptop CPUs. This has only happened one other time: with the Ryzen 9 7950HX3D.

Strix Halo APUs will be the only ones to receive 3D V cache. The 7945HX3D is a chiplet-based APU, similar to desktop Ryzen crammed into a smaller package. All AMD's APUs (single-die for everything) are monolithic, making them too large and shaped to accommodate standard cache slices.

Strix Halo has been quiet in recent months, but we're still expecting it to be released next year. It will have up to 16 Zen5 CPU cores, as well as 40 RNDA-3.5 compute units on the integrated GPU and a massive, 256-bit memory interface.

Add 3D V-Cache to the mix and you will have a laptop processor that is capable of gaming. The extra cache improves the minimum frame rate (as long they are not GPU-limited).

The manual for an Asus motherboard TRX confirms that Threadrippers have 3D V cache. Currently, the only processors with the extra L3 cache include desktop Ryzen 7 or Ryzen 9 versions, as well as three server-grade Epyc chips.

This is great news for anyone who wants to boost CPU performance but does not want to spend Epyc levels of money. It's unlikely that you would ever use a Threadripper for gaming. They have a lot of cores (92 for the Pro 7995WX), but they are not very powerful and don't clock at high speeds.

Why do I mention this? It's been reported that the new Threadrippers will feature 3D V-Cache in every CCD (Core Complex Die), not just one or two. AMD's first dual CCD chip to feature V-Cache was the Ryzen 9 7950X3D. However, only one die had the extra cache, as having both would have significantly reduced the chip's clock speed.

The first and second generations V-Cache were bonded to the CCD's top, creating a thermal shield. The version used with the Ryzen 7 is located underneath the die. This allows for higher clock rates and AMD to sell the chip unlocked.

If there is no longer a clock speed penalty, then there's a possibility that the dual CCD Zen 5 chip with 3D-Cache will have L3 cache on both cores. This would mean that you wouldn't need to worry about ensuring the game knows which CCD to use to get the full benefits of 3D V cache.

I have a feeling we will not get an fully cached 16-core desktop processor, but that's just for cost reasons. AMD has a lot of freedom to experiment in the desktop market, as Intel is not a major competitor. If only someone could invent an add-on to my bank account so I can afford all these wonderful goodies that are heading our way.