If you're considering upgrading to AMD for your next PC build, now's a fantastic time to make the switch. With the recent launch of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D earlier this year, AMD has expanded its Zen 5 "X3D" lineup with two new high-end Ryzen 9 processors: the 9950X3D at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors are setting new benchmarks for gaming performance, outpacing even Intel's offerings. For pure gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the go-to choice, allowing you to allocate your budget more flexibly. Meanwhile, creators with a passion for gaming and a bit more to spend will find the Ryzen 9 processors, with their enhanced core counts and cache, a worthwhile investment for the significant performance boost they offer.
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 who also crave top-tier gaming performance need look no further than the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This powerhouse boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and an impressive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it edges out the 9800X3D in gaming performance by just a few percentage points, it shines in productivity tasks, outperforming not only its Zen 5 X3D siblings but also Intel's best offerings.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is undeniably the most powerful gaming processor available today, yet it doesn't dominate every category. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a more budget-friendly $479, is perfectly adequate for most users. The 9950X3D, however, is tailored for those who not only game but also work with creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it delivers a 15% performance increase over the 9800X3D. For a dedicated gaming build, saving the extra $220 for a superior 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, thanks to the innovative 3D V-Cache technology. Despite the 3D V-cache being loaded onto a single CCD across all three CPUs, gaming performance remains consistent, with minor variations primarily due to clock speed differences. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, with its max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache, is a beast in the gaming world. While capable of multitasking and creative tasks, its core count makes it less ideal for heavy productivity workloads. At this price point, it's an unbeatable choice for gamers.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers exceptional gaming performance, making it a top recommendation over competitors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes GPU performance, making it the ideal choice for gaming enthusiasts."
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 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 offers a compelling mix of performance and value. Although we haven't reviewed it yet, its specs suggest it should perform between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In gaming, it's expected to be on par with its siblings.
AMD is on a Hot Streak with its New CPUs and GPUs
If you held off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD had in store, you made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions, delivering stellar performance at a lower price than Nvidia's offerings. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, while the 9070 XT starts at $600, though some manufacturers are increasing these prices. For detailed performance metrics, check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review.
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