Considering an AMD upgrade? Now's the perfect time. Following the Ryzen 7 9800X3D's earlier release, AMD has launched its top-tier Ryzen 9 siblings in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D ($699) and the 9900X3D ($599). These processors represent the pinnacle of gaming performance across both AMD and Intel. Gamers prioritizing pure performance should opt for the 9800X3D and allocate budget elsewhere; however, creators with larger budgets and a gaming passion will benefit immensely from the Ryzen 9 processors' increased core count and cache.
Note: Processor availability fluctuates; stock shortages are common.
The Creator's Choice: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
$699.00 at Amazon
$699.00 at Best Buy
$699.00 at Newegg
Creative professionals seeking the best gaming chip need look no further. The 9950X3D boasts a 5.7GHz max boost clock, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While only marginally faster than the 9800X3D in gaming, it significantly outperforms both the 9800X3D and all Intel competitors in productivity tasks.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D may be the most powerful gaming processor, but it doesn't automatically outperform every other chip. The more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D ($479) suffices for most users. The 9950X3D shines for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, offering a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For pure gaming, however, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card is likely a better investment."
The Gamer's Choice: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
$479.00 at Amazon
$479.00 at Best Buy
$479.00 at Newegg
AMD's X3D series leverages 3D V-Cache technology for gaming optimization. All three CPUs utilize 3D V-cache on a single CCD, resulting in similar gaming performance; minor differences stem from clock speed variations. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D features a 5.2GHz max boost clock, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of multitasking and creative tasks, its core count isn't ideal for heavy workloads. However, it's exceptional for gaming, particularly at its price point.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers exceptional gaming performance, making it a more compelling choice than recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes GPU performance."
The Middle Ground: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
$599.00 at Amazon
$599.00 at Best Buy
$599.00 at Newegg
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D bridges the gap for creative professionals who game but have a tighter budget than the 9950X3D allows. It offers a 5.5GHz max boost clock, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. While not yet reviewed, its performance is expected to fall between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in productivity, and on par with them in gaming.
AMD's Winning Streak with CPUs and GPUs
Those who waited on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see AMD's response made the right call. The Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are the new mid-range champions, offering impressive performance at lower prices than Nvidia's competition. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT at $600 (though manufacturer price increases may occur). See our Radeon RX 9070 and Radeon RX 9070 XT reviews for benchmarks.
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