(Image credit: AMD)

The old must give way to the new, but in the world of hardware, gaming legends don't fade away easily. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D, once celebrated as the gaming king and one of the best CPUs for gaming of its generation, is reportedly making a comeback. According to a recent slide shared by hardware leaker HXL, AMD plans to reintroduce the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (codenamed Vermeer) as a limited-edition AM4 10th Anniversary Edition in the second half of this year.

At CES 2026, AMD had already hinted at the possibility of resurrecting its popular Zen 3 processors as a strategic move to alleviate DDR5 price pressures stemming from the ongoing memory crisis. Now, it appears that the company is indeed turning this idea into reality. Unlike newer platforms that rely on pricier DDR5 memory modules, Zen 3 uses the more affordable and available DDR4 modules. DDR4 prices have somewhat stabilized and even dropped in recent months, so the AM4 platform is an attractive choice for budget-conscious gamers.

The AM4 socket, which debuted in September 2016, will soon celebrate its 10th anniversary. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D, often considered the crown jewel of the AM4 lineup, played a significant role in cementing the socket’s legendary status. By bringing back this iconic chip, AMD kills two birds with one stone: it honors the enduring legacy of AM4 and capitalizes on the possibility to boost sales.

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D AM4 10th Anniversary Edition Specifications

*Unconfirmed by AMD

The leaked Ryzen 7 5800X3D AM4 10th Anniversary Edition appears to have identical specifications to those of the original. Therefore, the new version isn’t a refresh, as it doesn't bring any upgrades. Instead, it's more of a celebratory edition from AMD, presenting the same tried-and-true silicon with a special sticker. While the Ryzen 7 5800X3D AM4 10th Anniversary Edition's internals remain unchanged, AMD could take the opportunity to make this anniversary edition unique by offering it in exclusive packaging to mark a decade of the AM4 platform.

Despite being four years old, which is a long time in the fast-paced world of processors, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D continues to hold its own in gaming. The chip's 3D V-Cache has helped it to stay relevant with modern rivals. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D delivers gaming performance comparable to the Core Ultra 5 245K and the Ryzen 5 9600X, one of the latest entries in AMD’s Ryzen family.

The Ryzen 7 5800X3D debuted at $449 four years ago. The octa-core processor has now been out of circulation for approximately a year and a half. During its final months on shelves, the chip was retailing for $329, 27% off its original MSRP. The all-time historic low price was $268. Now, with the teaser of the AM4 10th Anniversary Edition, the burning question is what price tag AMD will attach to this special release. Given that the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a product of TSMC’s 7nm FinFET and Globalfoundries’ 12nm process nodes, both of which are more mature and cost-effective compared to today’s bleeding-edge manufacturing processes, there’s reason to believe AMD could offer the AM4 10th Anniversary Edition at a highly competitive price.

Of course, none of this is confirmed by AMD. So far, we just have a tip from a known leaker, so handle this rumor with some skepticism.

Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds.