If you're considering joining the AMD community with your next hardware upgrade, you're in luck. The launch of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D earlier this year was just the beginning. AMD has now unveiled its higher-end Ryzen 9 siblings in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D, priced at $699, and the 9900X3D, available for $599. These processors are setting the standard for gaming performance, outshining even Intel's offerings. For pure gamers, the 9800X3D is the smart choice to maximize your budget, while content creators with a passion for gaming will find the Ryzen 9 processors invaluable, thanks to their enhanced core count and cache.
Note: Be aware that these processors are frequently in and out of stock, primarily out of stock at the moment.
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 crave the best in gaming performance need look no further than the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This powerhouse boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only a slight edge in gaming performance over the 9800X3D, it truly shines in productivity tasks, outpacing both its Zen 5 X3D siblings and Intel's top offerings.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D stands as one of the most potent gaming processors available, yet it's not necessarily the go-to for every user. The more budget-friendly Ryzen 7 9800X3D, at $479, is sufficient for most gamers. However, the 9950X3D is perfect for those who not only play games but also engage with demanding creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-only build, consider saving the extra $220 for an upgraded 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, optimized for gaming with 3D V-Cache technology, ensures that all three CPUs deliver comparable gaming performance, with minor variations largely due to clock speed differences. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. Although capable of handling multitasking, rendering, and creation, its core count limits its effectiveness in these areas. For pure gaming at this price point, it's an unbeatable choice.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it a top recommendation over recent competitors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. Paired with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes your gaming experience, delivering unmatched performance."
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 strikes a balance for those who engage in creative work and gaming but need to stick to a budget. With a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache, it's expected to offer performance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. Its gaming performance is likely to be on par with its siblings.
AMD is on a hot streak with its new CPUs and GPUs
Holding off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to evaluate AMD's latest offerings was a wise move. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are now the mid-range champions of this generation, offering superior performance at a lower price point than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, while the 9070 XT is priced 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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