The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in ten out of fourteen measured specifications. Its most significant technical advantage over the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X is its L3 cache capacity, which is 200% larger. While the older processor maintains a lead in MSRP, the newer model dominates the majority of the technical categories, establishing itself as the superior component based on the provided data.

Choose the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D if your priority is maximizing L3 cache capacity for high-end performance requirements. Conversely, select the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X if your primary objective is to take advantage of its 48% better MSRP. By weighing the substantial cache increase of the newer model against the cost efficiency of the older unit, you can align your purchase with your specific budget and technical needs.