If you're considering upgrading to AMD's latest processors, now's a great time to make the switch. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which debuted earlier this year, has been joined by the higher-end Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D is priced at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These chips are currently the top performers for gaming across both AMD and Intel platforms. If you're a dedicated gamer, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers excellent value, allowing you to allocate more of your budget elsewhere. However, if you're a creator with a passion for gaming and a bit more to spend, the Ryzen 9 processors provide a significant performance boost thanks to their higher core counts and larger caches.
Note: These processors are frequently out of stock, so act quickly when you find them available.
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
For creative professionals who also demand top-tier gaming performance, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the ideal choice. This processor features a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and an impressive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While its gaming performance edges out the 9800X3D by just a few percentage points, 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 stands out as one of the most powerful gaming processors available, yet it's not necessarily the best fit for everyone. For gamers on a budget, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, is a more cost-effective option. The 9950X3D, however, excels for those who not only play games but also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, offering a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-only setup, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be a 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 their 3D V-Cache technology. All three CPUs in the lineup share this technology on a single CCD, resulting in similar gaming performance with minor differences due to clock speed variations. 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, rendering, and creative work, its core count makes it less ideal for these tasks. However, it's a powerhouse for gaming, 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 other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. If you're building a gaming rig with a high-end graphics card, the 9800X3D will maximize your GPU's potential, offering the best performance for your money."
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 perfect for those who balance creative work with gaming but need to stick to a budget that the 9950X3D exceeds. It features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. Although we haven't reviewed this chip yet, its specs suggest it will offer performance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads, with gaming performance likely comparable to the other two models.
AMD's Hot Streak with New CPUs and GPUs
If you've been waiting to see how AMD's new offerings stack up against Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs, you won't be disappointed. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are setting the standard for mid-range graphics cards this generation. They deliver outstanding performance at a lower price point than their Nvidia counterparts, with the RX 9070 starting at $550 and the RX 9070 XT at $600 (though 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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