Just a few months after the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D graced us with its presence, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D introduces its 3D V-Cache technology to a powerhouse 16-core, 32-thread processor. This chip is a beast for gaming, easily keeping pace with top-tier graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 or future releases. However, with a steep $699 price tag and a 170W power budget, it's a luxury that's hard to justify for the average gamer. For most, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains the smarter choice.
Purchasing Guide
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D hits the market on March 12, with a starting price of $699. Keep in mind, the price can vary based on demand, so it's worth monitoring if you're looking to snag a deal.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos
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Specs and Features
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D harnesses the power of Zen 5 cores, combined with the 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache seen in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This setup not only delivers stellar multi-core performance but also enhances gaming capabilities with a larger cache.
Unlike its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the new 3D V-Cache is positioned below the CPU cores, improving thermal efficiency. This design allows heat to dissipate more effectively from the Core Complex Die (CCD) through the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS), enabling the processor to run at higher speeds for longer periods. The proximity of the cache to the cores also reduces data travel distance, cutting down on latency. With a massive 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache, the 9950X3D matches its last-generation counterpart and outperforms non-X3D processors.
Both the Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, though the original 9950X can potentially draw more power. In my tests, both hit a peak of 200W, but the 9950X3D maintained cooler temperatures, reaching only 79°C. This was on a different cooler than the 9950X, but the results are promising.
Compatibility with the AM5 socket, supported by AMD until at least 2027, ensures you won't be stuck with outdated hardware anytime soon.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks
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Performance
Before diving into performance results, it's important to note that all CPUs were tested on similar hardware, with the exception of the Ryzen 9 9950X, which used an Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard and a Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler. This slight hardware variance shouldn't significantly skew results, especially since testing was conducted at stock settings.
AMD Test bench: - GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 - Motherboard: Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero; Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Hero (9800X3D) - RAM: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo @ 6,000MHz - SSD: 1TB PNY CS3140 Gen4x4 NVMe SSD - CPU Cooler: Asus ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB Extreme
Due to a broken mounting screw on the Asus ROG Ryujin III 360mm cooler during the switch to the 9950X, I plan to retest the processors soon and will update this section if there are notable differences.
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB cache, is a powerhouse. It excels not only in gaming but also in creative workloads where the 9800X3D lags behind, matching the performance of the market's top chips.
Intel Test Bench: - GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 - Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus Z890 Hero (200S); Asus Prime Z790-A (14th-Gen) - RAM: 32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 @ 6,000MHz - SSD: PNY CS3140 1TB Gen 4 x 4 NVMe SSD - CPU Cooler: Asus ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB Extreme
The 9950X3D performs impressively in single-core workloads, scoring 2,254 points in Cinebench 1T, a 10% improvement over the 9800X3D's 2,033 points. In the 3DMark CPU Profile test, it achieves 1,280 points, nearly matching the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 1,351 points.
In multi-threaded workloads, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D scores 40,747 points in Cinebench, slightly behind the 9950X and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K but justified by its gaming prowess. In Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p with Ultra settings, it reaches 274 fps with the RTX 4090, outperforming the 9800X3D's 254 fps and the Core Ultra 9 285K's 255 fps. However, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with Ultra settings and ray tracing off, it delivers 229 fps, slightly below the 9800X3D's 240 fps but well ahead of the Intel chip's 165 fps.
Overkill?
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is undoubtedly the most powerful gaming processor available, yet it's not the automatic choice for everyone. Most gamers will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a more accessible $479, perfectly sufficient. The 9950X3D is ideal for those who use both gaming and creative applications, offering a 15% performance boost in apps like Photoshop and Premiere. For a pure gaming build, however, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be the wiser move.
