If you're considering an upgrade and leaning towards AMD, the timing couldn't be better. In March, AMD launched the pinnacle of its Zen 5 "X3D" series: the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. Initially sold out across most retailers, it's now back in stock at Amazon without any price hikes, though availability might be short-lived. This processor stands out as the top gaming chip, surpassing both Intel and AMD's previous offerings, and it's particularly appealing for creators due to its superior performance over the 9800X3D.
The Creator's Choice: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU
Mostly out of stock since launch back in March
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
$699.00 at Amazon
For creative professionals who demand the best in both gaming and productivity, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the ultimate choice. It features 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, its productivity capabilities far surpass those of the other Zen 5 X3D chips and Intel's competitors.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is currently the most powerful gaming processor available, yet it's not universally superior to all other chips. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a much more affordable $479, is sufficient. The 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also engage in creative tasks like using Photoshop and Premiere, where it delivers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D."
The Gamer's Choice: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
$489.00 at Walmart$489.00 at Amazon
AMD's X3D series processors are optimized for gaming, thanks to the innovative 3D V-Cache technology. Despite all three CPUs utilizing 3D V-cache on a single CCD, gaming performance remains largely consistent across the lineup, with differences mainly attributable to clock speeds. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While it handles multitasking and creative tasks well, its core count limits its effectiveness for intensive workloads. However, at this price point, it's an unbeatable choice for gamers.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming performance, making it a more compelling option than recent alternatives like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a high-end graphics card, the 9800X3D ensures you get the maximum performance out of your GPU."
