AMD’s recent release of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D has generated a wave of positive reviews, but the demand for the processor has quickly outpaced supply. The CPU, praised as AMD’s top choice for gaming, has sold out at major retailers like Newegg, Best Buy, and most Micro Center locations. Shoppers eager to get their hands on the 9800X3D are finding it difficult to find stock, and availability remains limited across various platforms.
The shortage isn’t confined to the U.S. market; it has also affected Europe. In Germany, most stores have run out of stock, with new shipments not expected to arrive until later in November. Similarly, in the UK, Scan is taking preorders for the 9800X3D, but the processor won’t be in stock until November 29th. Overclockers UK, which had its initial shipments sell out quickly, is facing further delays due to shipments being held at customs, with restocks expected only in December.
As the scarcity continues, scalpers have jumped on the opportunity, listing the Ryzen 7 9800X3D on eBay for as much as $999, nearly double the official retail price of $479. AMD executives have acknowledged the high demand, with Jack Huynh sharing photos on social media of customers lining up to buy the CPU. AMD CEO Lisa Su has even signed some of the processors for “special partners,” adding to the product’s allure and contributing to the growing hype.
The demand for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is partly driven by recent disappointments in the desktop CPU market. AMD’s Zen 5 desktop CPUs and Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K received lukewarm receptions, creating an opening for the 9800X3D to steal the spotlight. However, this rush to meet demand seems to have caught AMD off guard. The company was unprepared for such a high level of interest in the 9800X3D, which likely contributed to the ongoing stock shortage.
The timing of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D’s launch marks a significant departure from AMD’s previous release patterns. Unlike the company’s Zen 4 X3D processors, which debuted months after the Ryzen 9 7950X, the 9800X3D arrived only three months after the release of AMD’s Zen 5 desktop CPUs. This accelerated launch schedule, while exciting, appears to have led to stock issues, suggesting that AMD may have overestimated its ability to meet demand in the early stages of the 9800X3D’s release.
