If you're considering joining the AMD community for your next upgrade, the timing couldn't be better. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which was introduced earlier this year, AMD has now unveiled its higher-end Ryzen 9 counterparts in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D is priced at $699, and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors are currently the top gaming chips available from both AMD and Intel. For pure gamers, the 9800X3D is the ideal choice, allowing you to allocate your budget elsewhere. However, creators with a bit more to spend and a love for gaming will find the new Ryzen 9 processors incredibly beneficial due to their enhanced core count and cache.
Note: Processors are frequently going 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
0$699.00 at Amazon$699.00 at Best Buy$699.00 at NeweggCreative professionals who also crave the best gaming performance should look no further; this is the CPU for you. The 9950X3D 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 over the 9800X3D in gaming, it significantly outperforms both the 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, yet it doesn't automatically outshine every other chip. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a more affordable $479, is sufficient. The 9950X3D is best suited for gamers who also engage in creative work with applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. 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
13$479.00 at Amazon$479.00 at Best Buy$479.00 at NeweggAMD'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 nearly identical across the board, with minor variations 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. While capable of multitasking, rendering, and creative work, its core count limits its prowess in these areas. However, it's an exceptional choice for gaming, especially at its price point.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, 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, making it the best option for gamers."
The Middleman: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU
### AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
0$599.00 at Amazon$599.00 at Best Buy$599.00 at NeweggThe AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the perfect choice for those who balance creative work with gaming but need to stick to a budget. The 9900X3D features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 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's expected to perform similarly to the other two.
AMD is on a hot streak with its new CPUs and GPUs
If you held off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD had in store, you 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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