The Powerful AMD Zen 5 9950X3D, 9900X3D, and 9800X3D Gaming CPUs Are Now Available

Considering an AMD upgrade? Now's the perfect time. Following the Ryzen 7 9800X3D's earlier release, AMD has launched its top-tier Ryzen 9 siblings in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D ($699) and the 9900X3D ($599). These processors represent the pinnacle of gaming performance across both AMD and Intel. Gamers prioritizing pure performance should opt for the 9800X3D and allocate their budget elsewhere; however, 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 (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 seeking the best gaming chip 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 only marginally faster than the 9800X3D in gaming, it significantly outperforms both the 9800X3D and 9900X3D, and all Intel competitors, in productivity tasks.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D might be the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but it doesn't automatically surpass all others. The more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D ($479) is sufficient for most users. The 9950X3D excels for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, offering a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D in those applications. For pure gaming, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card is likely a wiser 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 3D V-cache on a single CCD, resulting in similar 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 creation, its core count limits its suitability for intensive tasks. However, it's a phenomenal gaming processor, especially 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 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."

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 creative professionals who also game but have a tighter budget than the 9950X3D allows. 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 expected to fall between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. Gaming performance is anticipated to be comparable to the other two.

AMD's Winning Streak with CPUs and GPUs

Those who waited to see if AMD's new offerings matched Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs made the right call. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions, offering exceptional performance at lower prices than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT starts at $600 (though manufacturer price increases are emerging). Check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review for benchmark results.

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