If you're considering upgrading to an AMD processor, the timing couldn't be better. Earlier this year, AMD launched the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and now they've released two high-end Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D priced at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors are currently the top gaming chips available from both AMD and Intel. If you're primarily a gamer, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the best choice, allowing you to allocate your budget elsewhere. However, if you're a creator with a larger budget and enjoy gaming, the Ryzen 9 processors offer significant performance boosts thanks to their higher core count and increased cache.
Note: These processors are frequently going in and out of stock, with more instances of being out of stock.
Creative professionals who also want the best gaming chip on the market need look no further than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This processor features a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only a slight improvement over the 9800X3D for gaming, it significantly outperforms the 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 is currently the most powerful gaming processor available, but it's not necessarily the best choice for everyone. For most users, the more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D at $479 will suffice. The 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a purely gaming-focused build, however, you might want to save the extra $220 for a better graphics card."
AMD's X3D series processors are optimized for gaming thanks to the 3D V-Cache technology. Since all three CPUs use a single CCD with the 3D V-cache, gaming performance is similar across the board, with minor differences mainly 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 it can handle multitasking, rendering, and creation, its limited cores make it less ideal for these tasks. However, it's an exceptional gaming processor, especially at this price point.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it a top recommendation over recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes GPU performance, delivering outstanding gaming experiences."
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the choice for those who engage in creative work and enjoy 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's a balanced option. Although we haven't reviewed it yet, its specs suggest performance somewhere between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. For gaming, it's expected to perform similarly to the other two models.
If you've been holding off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD has to offer, you've made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are the new mid-range champions, delivering exceptional performance at a lower cost than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 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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