Star Citizen's New CPU King? | 9700X Review

The video reviews the AMD 9700X CPU’s performance in Star Citizen, highlighting that while it outperforms the 7700X, it still falls short compared to the superior 7800X3D, which benefits from 3D V-cache technology. The reviewer also emphasizes the importance of maintaining eight cores for optimal performance and suggests that the 9700X is not the best choice for gamers, recommending the 7800X3D instead.

The video reviews the AMD 9700X CPU and its performance specifically in the game Star Citizen, comparing it to other processors like the 7800X3D and 7700X. The review emphasizes that while the 9700X shows a noticeable improvement over the 7700X, it still lags significantly behind the 7800X3D, which is considered the top performer for Star Citizen. The results indicate that Star Citizen benefits from the 3D V-cache technology present in the 7800X3D, leading to better performance metrics in various benchmarks.

The reviewer conducted extensive testing in different locations within the game, such as Lorville and Area 18, to gather performance data. The findings reveal that the 9700X performs better than the 7700X but does not surpass the 7800X3D. The review highlights the importance of cache in Star Citizen’s performance, suggesting that the additional level 1 cache in the 9700X contributes to its improved performance over the 7700X in this specific game.

The video also explores the impact of disabling Simultaneous Multi-Threading (SMT) on performance. Contrary to some online discussions that suggest SMT can hinder performance, the review found that turning off SMT led to a decrease in performance, indicating that Star Citizen utilizes all available cores and threads effectively. Additionally, the reviewer experimented with reducing the core count, further confirming that maintaining eight cores is beneficial for optimal performance in the game.

Another focal point of the review is Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO), a feature intended to enhance CPU performance. The reviewer tested PBO with a -25 offset on all cores but found only minimal performance gains. While the power draw increased slightly with PBO activated, it was not substantial enough to warrant major concerns. The reviewer concluded that while PBO can provide some extra performance, it does not significantly change the overall gaming experience.

In conclusion, the video suggests that the 9700X is not the best choice for gamers looking to play Star Citizen, especially when the 7800X3D remains the clear leader in CPU performance for the game. For those on older AM4 platforms, upgrading from processors like the 3600 to the 5800X or 5700X might offer substantial improvements. Ultimately, the reviewer advises against purchasing the 9700X, recommending instead to consider the 7800X3D for new builds or significant upgrades.