With AMD’s next high-end gaming processor just days away from release, one buyer has already managed to get their hands on the chip early. A Reddit user based in Switzerland claims a local retailer shipped the upcoming Ryzen 7 9850X3D ahead of schedule, reportedly due to a distribution error.
The processor is not officially slated to go on sale until January 29, but the early recipient shared proof of purchase and photos on Reddit, saying the new CPU will replace their current Ryzen 7 7800X3D system. While no direct benchmarks were shared, expectations point to a noticeable uplift in gaming performance compared with last generation.
Early Sale Ahead of January 29 Launch
The Ryzen 7 9850X3D is expected to launch with a U.S. MSRP of $499. The Swiss buyer reportedly paid 450 CHF—roughly $570 after conversion—highlighting the typical regional price differences for early stock. In the United States, listings have already begun appearing at retailers such as Amazon, which currently shows availability starting in early February at the official price point.
Although early deliveries occasionally appear ahead of major CPU launches, they remain relatively rare. With global availability set for January 29, full reviews of the 9850X3D are expected to go live the day before release.
What Sets the 9850X3D Apart
The Ryzen 7 9850X3D builds directly on the foundation of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, retaining the same core configuration and cache-heavy design aimed squarely at gamers. Both processors feature 8 cores and 16 threads, a 4.7 GHz base clock, 104 MB of total cache, and a 120W TDP.
The primary distinction lies in boost frequency. The 9850X3D is rated for boosts up to 5.6 GHz, compared with 5.2 GHz on the 9800X3D. That higher ceiling is expected to translate into roughly 15–20 percent average gaming gains based on current estimates and previous X3D scaling trends.
Buying Expectations
AMD has not confirmed the exact on-sale time for January 29, but past launches suggest the chip will become available around 6 a.m. PT / 9 a.m. ET in the U.S. Leaked retailer data appears to support that window.
Until independent benchmarks arrive, early owners like the Swiss Redditor will have to rely on expectations rather than confirmed results. Still, the premature appearance of the Ryzen 7 9850X3D suggests that AMD’s next X3D flagship is firmly locked in—and nearly ready to hit gaming PCs worldwide.
