If you're considering upgrading to AMD's latest processors, now is an opportune time. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which was released earlier this year, AMD has recently introduced two higher-end Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D priced at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors stand out as the premier gaming chips available from both AMD and Intel. For dedicated gamers, the 9800X3D offers excellent value, allowing you to allocate funds elsewhere. However, if you're a creator with a budget for gaming, the new Ryzen 9 processors provide significant performance boosts thanks to their increased core counts and cache.
Note: These processors are frequently in and out of stock, with more time spent 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 on the market need look no further; the 9950X3D is the CPU to get. It boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz with 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only a slight edge over the 9800X3D in gaming, it significantly outperforms both the 9800X3D and Intel's offerings in productivity tasks.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is currently the most powerful gaming processor available, but it's not universally superior to all other chips. Most users will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, more than sufficient. The 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a pure gaming 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 AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. Since all three CPUs feature the 3D V-Cache on a single CCD, gaming performance is similar across the board, with minor differences due to clock speeds. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.2GHz with 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of multitasking, rendering, and creation, its limited core count makes it less ideal for those tasks. However, it's an exceptional gaming processor, especially at its price point.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it a top recommendation over other 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, making it the best choice for gaming enthusiasts."
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 ideal choice for those who engage in creative work and gaming but need to stick to a budget. It features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz with 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. Although we haven't reviewed this chip yet, its specs suggest it will offer performance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In gaming, it should perform similarly to the other two models.
AMD is on a Hot Streak with its New CPUs and GPUs
If you've been holding off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD has to offer, you've made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions of this generation, offering exceptional performance at a lower price than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT 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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