If you're considering upgrading to AMD, the timing couldn't be better. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which was launched earlier this year, AMD has now released its higher-end Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" series: the 9950X3D at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors are currently the top gaming chips available from both AMD and Intel. For dedicated gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the best choice, allowing you to allocate more funds to other components. However, content creators with a budget for high-end gaming will find the Ryzen 9 processors advantageous due to their higher core count and cache.
Note: Be aware that these processors are frequently in and out of stock, often leaning more 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 pinnacle of gaming performance need look no further than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This powerhouse boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While its gaming performance is only marginally better than the 9800X3D, 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 currently available, yet it doesn't dominate in every scenario. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a much more affordable $479, is sufficient for most users. The 9950X3D excels for gamers who also engage in creative work with applications like Photoshop and Premiere, offering a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-focused build, however, saving the $220 difference 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, leveraging AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. Although all three CPUs utilize a single CCD with 3D V-cache, resulting in similar gaming performance, slight variations occur 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 and content creation, its core count makes it less ideal for those tasks. However, it is an exceptional choice for gamers, especially at its price point.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it a strong recommendation over recent competitors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a high-performance graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes your GPU's potential, ensuring top-tier gaming 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 Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the ideal choice for those balancing creative work with gaming, yet mindful of their budget. This processor features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. Although not yet reviewed, its specs suggest it will offer performance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks, with gaming performance expected to be on par with its siblings.
AMD is on a Hot Streak with its New CPUs and GPUs
If you've been waiting to see what AMD's new releases bring to the table before committing to Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs, your patience has paid off. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions, offering impressive performance at a lower cost than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, while the 9070 XT begins at $600, though some manufacturers are increasing prices. For detailed insights, check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review.
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