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

If you're contemplating joining the AMD community for your next upgrade, there's no better time than now. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which debuted earlier this year, AMD has recently launched two higher-end Ryzen 9 processors in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D is priced at $699, and the 9900X3D is available for $599. These processors are currently the top gaming chips available from both Intel and AMD. For pure gamers, the 9800X3D is the smart choice, allowing you to allocate your budget elsewhere. However, creators with deeper pockets and a love for gaming will find the new Ryzen 9 processors immensely beneficial due to their increased core count and cache.

Note: Be aware that these processors frequently go in and out of stock, often remaining unavailable.

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 ultimate gaming chip need look no further; the 9950X3D is the processor for you. Boasting a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache, it offers a slight edge in gaming over the 9800X3D. However, where it truly shines is in productivity tasks, significantly outperforming the other Zen 5 X3D chips and anything Intel has to offer.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D stands as one of the most powerful gaming processors available. However, it's not necessarily the best fit for everyone. Most gamers will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, to be more than sufficient. The 9950X3D is tailored for those who both game and use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it delivers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-centric build, consider saving the extra $220 for a better 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 the 3D V-Cache technology. With the 3D V-cache on a single CCD, gaming performance is consistent across all three chips, with minor differences attributed to clock speeds. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D features a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of multitasking, rendering, and content creation, its core count makes it less ideal for these tasks. Yet, for gaming, it's a powerhouse, especially at its price point.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers exceptional gaming performance, making it a standout choice compared to competitors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes GPU performance, offering unmatched value."

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

If you're into creative work and gaming but need to stick to a budget, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the ideal choice. It features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. Although we haven't reviewed it yet, its specs suggest it will perform between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In gaming, we anticipate it to perform similarly to its siblings.

AMD's Hot Streak with New CPUs and GPUs

If you've been holding off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to assess AMD's new releases, you've made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are the new mid-range champions, offering excellent performance at a lower price point than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the RX 9070 XT at $600, though some manufacturers are raising prices. Check out our Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT GPU reviews for detailed benchmarks.

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