AMD Processors...WTF?

[Jarhead0331]

I'm looking closely at AMD Ryzen processors for my next build, since the word on the street is that the latest gen are notably superior to the latest gen of intel CPUs. But I'm really struggling to understand the naming conventions and what the numbers and letters mean? With intel CPUs it is generally pretty easy to determine on a glance what is the most powerful and latest generation. With AMD, on the other hand, the numbers are all over the place and higher number doesn't necessarily mean a better or more powerful CPU.

Can anyone explain it to me like I'm a 4th grader? I've read some explanations online and they just seem illogical to me.

[Redwolf]

Higher numbers mean more powerful processors.

Except that "x3d" mean big L3 cache, which can put a smaller number in front. For example, right now the 8-core 7800x3d and 9800x3d are the ultimate gaming CPUs because they have the large cache and games generally don't use more than 4-6 cores anyway, so the 16-core CPUs don't have an advantage.

The 9950x3d and 9900x3d are not out yet.

12 and 16 core CPUs are made up of 2 CCDs (2-part chip) and some say that the communication between those CCDs is undesirable. That is why the 8-core x3d parts are so sought after.

[Pete Dero]

https://techwiser.com/amd-processor-naming-and-numbering-scheme-explained/

A simple explanation looks impossible.

[Jarhead0331]