AMD Zen 5 9950X3D, 9900X3D, 9800X3D Gaming CPUs Launched - News

If you're considering joining the AMD community for your next upgrade, the timing couldn't be better. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which was introduced earlier this year, AMD has now launched its higher-end Ryzen 9 counterparts in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D is priced at $699, and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors are currently the top gaming chips available from both AMD and Intel. For pure gamers, the 9800X3D is the best choice, allowing you to allocate your budget elsewhere. However, creators with a larger budget and a passion for gaming will greatly benefit from the enhanced performance of the new Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their higher core count and increased cache.

Note: Processors are frequently going in and out of stock, and unfortunately, they are mostly out of stock.

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 also seek the best gaming chip on the market should look no further; this is the CPU for you. The new 9950X3D features a max boost clock of 5.7GHz with 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only a slight edge in gaming performance over the 9800X3D, it significantly outperforms both the other Zen 5 X3D chips and Intel's offerings in productivity tasks.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is currently the most powerful gaming processor available, but it doesn't automatically outperform every other chip. Most users will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, more than sufficient. The 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it shows a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-focused build, however, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be a wiser choice."

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 AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. Since all three CPUs feature the 3D V-cache on a single CCD, gaming performance is nearly identical 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, rendering, and creative work, its core count limits its effectiveness in these areas. However, it's an exceptional gaming processor, especially at its price point.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, 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, making it the best option for gamers."

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 who engage in creative work and enjoy gaming but need to stick to a budget that the 9950X3D exceeds. The new 9900X3D features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz with 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. Although we haven't reviewed this chip yet, its specifications suggest it will offer performance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In gaming, it's expected to perform similarly to the other two.

AMD is on a Hot Streak with its New CPUs and GPUs

If you held off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD had to offer, you made a smart move. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions of this generation, delivering outstanding performance at a lower price than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT 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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