If you're in the process of building a new gaming PC and looking for the best gaming processor, look no further than the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This powerhouse is currently back in stock on Amazon at its retail price of $489, making it a steal for gamers. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D outperforms both the pricier Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, establishing itself as the top choice for gaming enthusiasts.
The Gamer's Choice: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
- Price: $489.00 at Amazon
AMD's X3D series processors, including the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, are tailored for gaming, boasting superior performance over AMD's standard CPUs thanks to the innovative 3D V-Cache technology. While capable of multitasking, rendering, and creative work, their fewer cores make them less ideal for those tasks. At $489, the 9800X3D is not only $100 cheaper than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and $160 less than the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X but also delivers better gaming performance. Unless you're committed to Intel or stuck on the AM4 platform, the 9800X3D is the clear winner for your next PC build.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is exceptionally powerful in games, making it an easy recommendation over other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a high-end graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes your gaming performance."
The other two Zen 5 "X3D" chips are out of stock
Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, AMD released the higher-end Ryzen 9 9950X3D ($699) and Ryzen 9 9900X3D ($599) this year. These processors are currently out of stock, but for pure gamers, the 9800X3D remains the best option, allowing you to allocate savings to other components. Creators with deeper pockets and a gaming interest will find the increased core count and cache of the Ryzen 9 processors to be a significant boost.
The Creator's Choice: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
- Price: $699.00 at Amazon | $699.00 at Best Buy | $699.00 at Newegg
For creative professionals who also demand top-tier gaming performance, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the ultimate choice. With a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache, it offers a slight edge over the 9800X3D in gaming but shines in productivity tasks, outperforming all other Zen 5 X3D chips and Intel's offerings.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the most powerful gaming processor available, yet it's not the go-to for everyone. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is more affordable at $479 and suits most gamers well. The 9950X3D, however, is perfect for those who both game and use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, offering a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a pure gaming build, consider saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card."
The Middleman: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
- Price: $599.00 at Amazon | $599.00 at Best Buy | $599.00 at Newegg
If you're a creative professional who enjoys gaming but needs to stick to a budget, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the sweet spot. With a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache, it offers a balance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D. While we haven't reviewed it yet, the specs suggest it will perform well in both productivity and gaming, likely falling between the other two in multi-core workloads.
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