If you're considering upgrading to AMD's latest offerings, you're in for a treat. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which debuted earlier this year, AMD has recently launched its premium Ryzen 9 siblings within the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D, priced at $699, and the 9900X3D, available for $599. These processors stand out as the top gaming chips across both AMD and Intel. Pure gamers will find the 9800X3D a smart choice to save funds for other upgrades, while creators with a gaming passion and deeper pockets will appreciate the significant performance boost offered by the new Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their higher core count and cache.
Note: Processors are frequently in and out of stock (mostly out, unfortunately).
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 who demand the pinnacle of gaming performance need look no further. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, with 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While its gaming performance edges out the 9800X3D by just a few percentage points, it shines in productivity tasks, outperforming other Zen 5 X3D chips and Intel's offerings.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a powerhouse in the gaming world, but it's not universally superior. Most users will be more than satisfied with the more budget-friendly Ryzen 7 9800X3D at $479. The 9950X3D excels for gamers who also engage in creative tasks like using Photoshop and Premiere, offering a 15% performance increase over the 9800X3D. However, for a dedicated gaming build, consider saving the $220 difference for a better graphics card."
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 processors are optimized for gaming, thanks to the innovative 3D V-Cache technology. Since all three CPUs feature the 3D V-Cache on a single CCD, gaming performance remains consistent across the lineup, with minor variations due to clock speed differences. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, with 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of multitasking and creative work, its core count limits its prowess in those areas. However, it's an exceptional choice for gaming, especially at its price point.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers stellar gaming performance, making it a top recommendation over other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes your GPU's potential, offering unmatched value."
The Middleman: 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 AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the ideal choice for those balancing creative work with gaming on a budget. With a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache, it's positioned between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in terms of productivity and multi-core performance. While we haven't reviewed this chip yet, its specs suggest it will offer solid performance across the board, with gaming performance likely on par with its siblings.
AMD's Hot Streak with New CPUs and GPUs
If you've been holding off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD has in store, you've made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions, delivering exceptional performance at a lower price point than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, while the 9070 XT begins at $600 (though prices may vary due to manufacturer adjustments). Check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review for detailed benchmarks.
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