AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, arriving just months after its sibling the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, brings 3D V-Cache technology to a powerhouse 16-core, 32-thread processor. While undeniably overkill for most gamers, it effortlessly handles even the most demanding graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 and beyond. However, this immense power comes at a price – a hefty $699 MSRP and a 170W power draw, making it a difficult recommendation for anyone not building a truly high-end (and expensive) gaming PC. For most, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers superior value.

Purchasing Guide

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D launched March 12th, with a starting price of $699. This is a suggested retail price, and actual pricing may fluctuate based on market demand.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos

Specs and Features

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D leverages the same Zen 5 cores as the standard 9950X, enhanced by the second-generation 3D V-Cache found in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination delivers exceptional multi-core performance alongside significantly improved gaming capabilities thanks to the expanded cache.

Unlike its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the 3D V-Cache is now positioned directly beneath the CPU cores, not above. While seemingly minor, this change dramatically improves thermal performance. The Core Complex Die (CCD), the primary heat source, is closer to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS), facilitating more efficient heat dissipation. AMD's performance algorithms leverage this improved thermal headroom, allowing the 9950X3D to run faster and longer.

This cache placement offers more than just thermal benefits. The reduced data travel distance between cache and cores lowers latency. The increased space allows for a massive 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache – the same as the last-generation Ryzen 9 7950X3D, but far exceeding any non-X3D processor.

Both the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, although the 9950X boasts a higher potential Precision Boost 2 (PPT). Testing revealed both processors peaking around 200W, but the 9950X3D maintained a lower peak temperature (79°C during testing), though tested on a different cooler than the 9950X.

Compatibility is simplified by the 9950X3D's use of the existing AM5 motherboard platform. AMD has committed to AM5 support until at least 2027, ensuring future-proofing your investment.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks

Performance

All CPUs were tested on identical hardware, except for the Ryzen 9 9950X (Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard with Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler). This hardware difference will influence results, though not drastically, especially given stock settings. A future update will include retesting with uniform hardware.

AMD Test Bench: GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090; Motherboard: Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero; RAM: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo @ 6,000MHz; SSD: 1TB PNY CS3140 Gen4x4 NVMe SSD; CPU Cooler: Asus ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB Extreme (Except for 9950X, see above)

Intel Test Bench: GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090; Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus Z890 Hero (200S); Asus Prime Z790-A (14th-Gen); RAM: 32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 @ 6,000MHz; SSD: PNY CS3140 1TB Gen 4 x 4 NVMe SSD; CPU Cooler: Asus ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB Extreme

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D's 16 cores, 32 threads, and immense 144MB cache deliver exceptional performance. It excels even in creative benchmarks where the 9800X3D lags, matching the market's most powerful chips. Surprisingly, it also holds its own against the 9800X3D in single-core tasks. Cinebench 1T scores show a 10% improvement (2,254 vs 2,033 points), and 3DMark CPU Profile results place it close to the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (1,280 vs 1,351 points).

Multi-threaded performance is where the 9950X3D truly shines, achieving 40,747 points in Cinebench's multi-core test. While slightly trailing the 9950X (41,123 points) and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (42,245 points), the gaming performance gains justify the minor multi-threaded deficit.

In *Total War: Warhammer 3* (1080p, Ultra), the 9950X3D delivers 274fps (RTX 4090), surpassing the 9800X3D (254fps) and Core Ultra 9 285K (255fps). However, *Cyberpunk 2077* (1080p, Ultra, ray tracing off) shows a less impressive 229fps, down from the 9800X3D's 240fps, but still significantly faster than the Intel processor's 165fps.

Overkill?

While the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is currently the most powerful gaming processor, it doesn't automatically outperform all others. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a much more affordable alternative ($479) that suffices for most users. The 9950X3D is best suited for users who combine gaming with demanding creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it provides a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D. For pure gaming builds, investing the extra $220 in a better graphics card is likely a wiser choice.