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 platforms.
While the 9800X3D remains the ideal choice for pure gamers seeking optimal value, creators with larger budgets and a passion for gaming will appreciate the significant performance boost offered by the Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their increased core count and cache.
Note: Processor availability is fluctuating; stock is often limited.
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 available 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 performance advantage over the 9800X3D, its productivity capabilities significantly surpass both the 9800X3D and 9900X3D, and indeed, any Intel counterpart.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas: "The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D may be the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but it doesn't automatically outperform every other chip. The more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D is perfectly suitable for most users. The 9950X3D, however, targets gamers who also utilize creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro, offering a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D in such tasks. For pure gaming, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card is likely a more beneficial 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 processors are gaming-optimized thanks to 3D V-Cache technology. All three CPUs utilize this technology on a single CCD, resulting in comparable gaming performance across the board; minor differences stem primarily 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, rendering, and creative work, its core count limits its suitability for intensive tasks. However, it excels as a gaming processor, 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 processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a high-end 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 users balancing creative work and gaming within a budget constraint, offering a compelling alternative to the 9950X3D. It boasts a 5.5GHz max boost clock, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. While not yet reviewed, its performance is anticipated to fall between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in productivity and multi-core workloads, with comparable gaming performance to its siblings.
AMD's Winning Streak with CPUs and GPUs
If you waited to see if AMD's latest GPU offerings matched the hype, you made the right call. The Radeon RX 7900 XTX and RX 7900 XT are the new mid-range champions, offering exceptional performance at a lower price than their Nvidia competitors. The Radeon RX 7900 XTX starts at $999 and the 7900 XT starts at $899 (though some manufacturers are increasing prices). Check out our Radeon RX 7900 XTX GPU review and Radeon RX 7900 XT GPU review for benchmark results.
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