AMD Zen 5 Gaming CPUs 9950X3D, 9900X3D, 9800X3D Now Available

If you're considering an upgrade and leaning towards AMD, now is an opportune moment to join the AMD bandwagon. Earlier this year, AMD launched the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and they've now expanded their Zen 5 "X3D" lineup with two higher-end Ryzen 9 models: the 9950X3D, priced at $699, and the 9900X3D, available for $599. These processors are at the forefront of gaming performance, surpassing even Intel's offerings. Pure gamers should opt for the 9800X3D to maximize their budget for other components, whereas creators with a bit more to spend and an interest in gaming will see significant benefits from the enhanced core count and cache of the new Ryzen 9 processors.

Note: These processors are frequently in and out of stock, often leaning 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 best gaming chip on the market need look no further; the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the top choice. This powerhouse boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a whopping 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While its gaming performance edges out the 9800X3D by just a few percentage points, its prowess in productivity tasks far exceeds that of both the other Zen 5 X3D chips and Intel's offerings.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D might be the most powerful gaming processor on the market right now, but that doesn’t mean it's the best fit for everyone. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, offers excellent value. However, the 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it shows a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a pure gaming setup, though, the savings from opting for the 9800X3D could be better spent on 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 are optimized for gaming, thanks to AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. With all three CPUs equipped with the 3D V-cache on a single CCD, gaming performance remains consistent across the lineup, with minor variations due to clock speeds. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, with its max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache, is a formidable choice for gaming, especially at its price point. Although capable of multitasking, rendering, and creation, its core count limits its performance in those areas compared to the Ryzen 9 models.

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. Paired with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D ensures you get the most out of your GPU."

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 choice for those who balance creative work with 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 strikes a balance between performance and price. While we haven't yet reviewed this chip, its specifications suggest performance levels between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In gaming, it should perform similarly to the other two models.

AMD's Hot Streak with New CPUs and GPUs

If you held off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD had in store, you've made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are setting the standard for mid-range performance this generation. They offer exceptional performance at a more affordable price than Nvidia's competitors. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT at $600, although 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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