The tech community is buzzing with concern after another report surfaced of AMD’s highly anticipated Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor failing catastrophically—this time in a system built around MSI’s new X870E Tomahawk WiFi motherboard. The incident, described in a Reddit post by user OverclockOrBust, marks the latest in a growing list of similar failures linked to the CPU, raising questions about compatibility, manufacturing defects, or potential design flaws.
According to the user, their system was running smoothly during a gaming session when the CPU suddenly “exploded,” emitting smoke and a burning odor. “I heard a pop, saw smoke, and that was it. No warning signs—just dead,” they wrote. The post includes images of the damaged processor and motherboard, with visible scorch marks around the socket.
This incident follows a wave of reports compiled in an ASRock-focused megathread, where over 30 users have shared similar stories of 9800X3D failures across multiple motherboard brands. While early speculation pointed to voltage irregularities or aggressive overclocking, the ASRock thread reveals failures even at stock settings, suggesting a broader issue. One user noted, “Mine died during a Zoom call. No overclock, no gaming—just poof.”
Investigations Underway, But Questions Remain
MSI has yet to release an official statement but is reportedly working with AMD to investigate the incident. Industry insiders speculate the problem could stem from BIOS firmware conflicts, power delivery design on certain motherboards, or a vulnerability in the 9800X3D’s 3D V-Cache technology. AMD, meanwhile, has acknowledged “isolated reports” and urged users to ensure their motherboards are running the latest BIOS updates.
“We’re collaborating with partners to resolve this swiftly,” an AMD spokesperson said.
What Should Users Do?
Owners of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D are advised to:
Update their motherboard BIOS immediately, as vendors like ASRock and MSI have rolled out stability patches.
Avoid manual overclocking until a root cause is identified.
Monitor system temperatures and shut down at the first sign of instability.
As the investigation continues, the pressure is mounting on AMD and its partners to address these failures before they dent confidence in one of the most hyped CPUs of the year. For now, the Reddit threads serve as both a warning and a rallying point for frustrated users demanding answers.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.