Due to major controversial of this CPU regarding how it's "work". This review will focus on my using experience of the CPU. No benchmark, No FPS, No Rendering Time/score.

Tldr;

For gamer, this CPU suck and overpriced in “Price Per Performance” POV, just simply wait for 7800x3d especially if you have waited for this long.

For hardware enthusiast, This is the best CPU. it's so fun tweaking it as much as actually using it.

For everyone, This CPU is working just fine. literally Zero performace problem outside of overclocking process. Overall performance is incredible.

Recently, this CPU get so may complain on how it's so hard to get it to work properly. People are concerned that average user might not comforable to go through all the requirement. Well, this concern is true. But in my view, The point of the problem is not that it's hard to do everything correctly because each steps are fairly simple. The point of this problem is “ how do I know if right now, while I am gaming that my CPU is working as intended” Even there is not problem and my games are running smooth and all but then "is it working on correct CCD?" Yes, These questions could be answered by simply put some 3rd party app like HWinfo and such, but I am talking for average users. There are gamers who doesn’t know anything about hardware that going in bios to enable XMP can raise their heart's rate. That's why this CPU is bad for average gamers. But to be fair, In my opinion if someone are spending 700 USD for a CPU they are unlikely to not knowledgeble about hardware at all.

For Enthusiast you don't really need my review, just go for it. This CPU working fine it's do it job properly, it's NOT a mess like youtubers trying to say.

My Short Overclock Guide

note : Undervolting is not as easy as youtuber show you, unless you want to run unstable system.

1. *First thing you want to do is Finish your RAM Overclocking if you will of cause.

2. Set PBO to -Enable

3. Enable Curve Optimizer > Per Core (Don't use All cores or you will learn the true meaning Asymmetric CCD in hard way ) > set Signs to Negative for every core

4. Undervolting the cores in group of 4, use 'Corecyler + Y crusher' for stability test.CCD0 are more sensitive to undervolting (at least for my Unit) So Slowly increase the negative value (2-3 mv for each runCCD1 are just like previous cores, I start at Negative 10 and increase negative value 5 at a time.

5. After you done Stabilizing go increase Max Clock Overide (Fmax) slowly and Track your "Effetive Core Clock" and make sure these is no stretching on any cores (Efective clock drop significantly during all core work load)

6. If core stretching occur, reduce your Max Clock Vaule by 25. then re test the CPU.[NEVER LOWER YOUR NEGATIVE CURVE OPTIMIZER FOR HIGH FMAX]

it's proven that the optimal overclocking for best performace is to Prioritize Undervolting > Fmax

Stabilizing Guide

To Stablize CCD0 cores it's took me 5 days. but only 2 days for CCD1 cores

1. Requirement : Using CoreCycler + Y-Crusher with some aid from build in Windows Event Viewer

2. After Each change of Undervolting value you Run the 4 cores in CoreCycler for 30 Minutes "each core" , each "Test" Should have at least "3 Runs" So each test need 6 hours (Run = Iteration)

3. Check error report in Corecycler, it's will tell if and what core having problem

4. Then Check Eventviwer, Look for WHEA logger. Look up the Time of errors

5. Go to Corecyler's Log report

6. See what core is running during the WHEA logger's time = That core is also have problem

7. Reduce the Negative Value in Curve Optimizer for "Problem" Cores

8. Repeat this untill you no longer see any Error report and Whea logger

9. Validating : Run everycore in CoreCycler for 2 hours Each core for 2 iterations(You can split the test for Even and Odd cores)

10. Only after you pass the Step 9 then you could touch "Max Clock Overide"

My unit runing at

Curve Optimizer

Core 0 : -6
Core 1 : -8
Core 2 : -0
Core 3 : -16
Core 4 : -9
Core 5 : -16
Core 6 : -20
Core 7 : -20

Core 8 : -23
Core 9 : -20
Core 10 : -35
Core 11 : -28
Core 12 : -20
Core 13 : -22
Core 14 : -35
Core 15 : -35
(I am done at -35 cuz I am lazy)

Max Clock Overide : +200mhz
(Remember, your CO is priority, some might not able to achive +200 after CO but That's fine. Not really much of real world difference even at +0 vs +200, as long as you properly Undervolting in Truly Stable state)

PBO : Enable Global C state : Enable

Cooler : 280 AIO

https://www.3dmark.com/cpu/1120115

I just got a 7950x3d and put it in an 11 litre case. I know that sounds a bit crazy. I was wondering if a 7950x3d is normally running in a normal ATX setup, not in such a harsh cooling situation. What clock speed should I have? I was constantly at 4.7 on cache ccd and 4.5 ish on frequency ccd, I feel like that's a bit too low? Since my thermal is not even exceeding 75. I am just curious if there is any suggestion for me to squeeze out more performance from this little monster, but not make the thermal insane.

Here are my PBO settings:

Core 0 -30
Core 1 -15 (My fastest core based on ryzen master)
Core 2 -30
Core 3 -30
Core 4 -30
Core 5 -20 (My 2nd fast core)
Core 6 -30
Core 7 -30

For frequency ccd, I didn't do anything to it.

Consider me a AMD n00b, I've been using Intel since the Pentium II days.
I have a few questions for you overclocking experts if you don't mind, I'll just get right to it.

Motherboard: Asus ROG Strix X870E-E

-PBO: Advanced.
-PBO Limits: Motherboard.
-PBO Scalar Ctrl: Manual
-PBO Scalar: 10x (should I set it lower, as in 5x?)
-Max CPU Boost Clock: +200
-Curve Shaper:
-Min, Low and Medium frequency: Negative 20
-High and Max frequency: Negative 10
-I tried min low and medium to -30, high and max -15, but Cinebench crashed while launching.

-DDR5 64GB 6400Mt (2 Kingston sticks, Hynix)
-EXPO Profile 1
-FCLK: 2133Mhz
-FCLK should lock in the MCLK and UCLK from my understanding.
(Also set the Infinity Fabric Frequency and DIviders to 2133Mhz, I'm guessing thats just doubling down on the same settings, probably redundant?)
-Scatterbencher also recommended to set the eCLK to Asynchronuous with BCLK2 Frequency to 105.5, which I haven't done, what are the benefits or downsides of doing so? Is this only necessary if setting the BCLK2 frequency manually, or also has benefits with auto? He also loaded Hynix primary timings from the memory presets, which I also haven't done.

-eCLK Mode: Auto
-tRef: 65535
-UCLK DIV1 Mode: UCLK=MEMCLK (Assuming this is 1:1 ratio)

-Cinebench multi core score: 2528

-Am I going in the right direction? What can I do better, and am I doing something wrong? Any insight or opinions is greatly appreciated.

-I tried the Curve Optimizer set to per CCD at -20 per CCD for a few days, thought I'd try the Curve Shaper for a more advanced approach.
With the CO value at -20 per CCD (and even -10) I had stability issues in just one game (The Division 1) with massive stuttering (every 2-3 seconds the frames would completely halt for a full second sometimes), tried reinstalling it, etc, but to no luck, I'm hoping its just really buggy, although it ran stable on my 14900k with the same GPU and Nvidia drivers.
I know it's not the frames, it sits at stable 237fps which is my set limit in NVCPL, and it doesn't drop in frames, it simply kinda freezes, lowering settings also doesn't help, I'm on a Astral 5090 OC and have tried stock GPU settings too, so it's not my GPU undervolt/overclock.
I didn't try before overclocking, so not sure if its just an AMD issue or unstable BIOS settings, I did try with EXPO profile 1 at 6000Mt but no change.

-I am fairly thorough with which guides I follow, I trust Skatterbencher and Blackbird PC Tech, they are straight to the point without any fuss, Blackbird is also really helpful with answering questions, what an absolute legend!

-Btw where is all the cake I was promised for switching to team red? I was told there would be cake??

I got the 7950x3D, but I game 90% of the time, and play with large data sets the other 10% (on this machine). BTW first chip was defective, giving random reboots on stock settings so on to my second chip which has been fine so far.

I loved the idea of process lasso, have the license, but the entire guesswork on which games prefer cache or all is just putting me off. Don’t even get me started on the Game Bar method haha

Is there no easy way out using process lasso and the guesswork, or should I just switch to 7800x3D and call it a day?

TL;DR: 7950x3D is a lovely chip… however, how have you made your life easy with it in the gaming use case?