If you're considering an upgrade to AMD, now's the perfect time to join the bandwagon. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which was released earlier this year, AMD has launched two high-end Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors are considered the top gaming chips available from both AMD and Intel. For gamers on a budget, the 9800X3D is a smart choice, freeing up funds for other components. However, content creators with a passion for gaming and a larger budget will greatly benefit from the Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their higher core count and enhanced cache.
Note: These processors are frequently in and out of stock, 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 processor on the market need look no further than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This powerhouse 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 marginal improvement over the 9800X3D in gaming performance, it significantly outpaces 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 stands out as one of the most potent gaming processors available today. However, it's not the automatic choice for everyone. Budget-conscious gamers will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, more than sufficient. The 9950X3D is ideal for users who both game and use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it delivers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For pure gaming builds, though, consider saving the extra $220 for a superior graphics card."
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, optimized for gaming with 3D V-Cache technology, provide similar gaming performance across all three models due to the cache being loaded onto a single CCD. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, with its max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache, is an excellent choice for gamers. While it can handle multitasking and creative workloads, its core count limits its prowess in those areas. At this price, it's a phenomenal choice for gaming enthusiasts.
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 high-end graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes your GPU'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 who engage 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 expected to offer performance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in productivity tasks. In gaming, it should perform similarly to its siblings.
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, offering outstanding 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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