Planning your next PC upgrade and considering AMD? Now's the perfect time. Following the Ryzen 7 9800X3D's earlier release, AMD has launched its top-tier Ryzen 9 siblings—the 9950X3D ($699) and 9900X3D ($599)—both boasting Zen 5 "X3D" architecture. These processors collectively represent the pinnacle of gaming performance across both AMD and Intel. Pure gamers should prioritize the cost-effective 9800X3D, while creators with larger budgets and a gaming passion will appreciate the significant performance boost of the Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their increased core counts and cache.
Note: Processor availability fluctuates; stock is often limited.
The Creator's Choice: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
Amazon - $699.00 | Best Buy - $699.00 | Newegg - $699.00
Creative professionals seeking the best gaming CPU 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 offering only a slight gaming advantage over the 9800X3D, its productivity performance surpasses both other Zen 5 X3D chips and all Intel competitors.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D might be the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but it's not a universal upgrade. The more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D ($479) is sufficient for most users. The 9950X3D shines for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, offering a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D. For pure gaming, however, investing the extra $220 in a better graphics card might yield better results."
The Gamer's Choice: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
Amazon - $479.00 | Best Buy - $479.00 | Newegg - $479.00
AMD's X3D series leverages 3D V-Cache technology for gaming optimization. All three CPUs share this technology on a single CCD, resulting in similar gaming performance, with minor variations stemming from clock speed differences. 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, rendering, and creative tasks, its core count isn't ideal for demanding workloads. However, it excels at gaming, especially 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 alternatives like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. Paired with a high-end graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes GPU performance."
The Middleman: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
Amazon - $599.00 | Best Buy - $599.00 | Newegg - $599.00
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D bridges the gap for those needing creative capabilities and gaming performance within a specific budget. Its specs include 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 for productivity, and to be comparable to both in gaming.
AMD's Hot Streak with CPUs and GPUs
If you waited to see AMD's response to Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs, you've been rewarded. The Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are the new mid-range champions, offering impressive performance at lower prices than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT at $600 (though price increases from manufacturers have been reported). Check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review for benchmarks.
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