If you're contemplating joining the AMD community for your next system upgrade, the timing couldn't be better. Alongside the earlier release of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D this year, AMD has recently unveiled two premium Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D, priced at $699, and the 9900X3D, available for $599. These processors stand out as the top gaming chips when compared to both Intel and AMD options. For pure gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the recommended choice, allowing you to allocate your budget elsewhere. However, creators with a larger budget and a passion for gaming will find the Ryzen 9 processors particularly appealing due to their enhanced core count and cache, which significantly boost performance.
Note: Processors are frequently in and out of stock, often leaning towards being 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 seeking the ultimate gaming chip should look no further than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This powerhouse boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and an impressive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it edges out the 9800X3D in gaming performance by just a few percentage points, it significantly outperforms both 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 arguably the most powerful gaming processor available today, but it's not necessarily the best choice for everyone. Most users will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D more than sufficient, especially at its more affordable price of $479. The 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also utilize creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, offering a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D in these apps. For a gaming-focused build, however, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be the smarter move."
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 their 3D V-Cache technology. Since all three CPUs have the 3D V-cache on a single CCD, gaming performance is roughly equivalent across the board, with minor differences attributed to clock speeds. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of multitasking, rendering, and creative work, its limited core count makes it less ideal for those tasks. However, at its price point, it's an exceptional choice for gaming.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming performance, making it a top recommendation over recent competitors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes your system's potential, delivering exceptional 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 is the perfect middle ground for those engaged 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 a compelling choice. While we haven't reviewed this model yet, its specifications suggest it will offer performance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In terms of gaming, expect performance to be on par with the other two models.
AMD is on a hot streak with its new CPU and GPUs
If you've been holding off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD has in store, your patience has paid off. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions, offering stellar performance at a more competitive price point. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, while the 9070 XT starts at $600, though prices may fluctuate due to manufacturer adjustments. For detailed performance metrics, check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review.
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