The Powerful AMD Zen 5 9950X3D, 9900X3D, and 9800X3D Gaming CPUs Are Now Available

Considering an AMD upgrade? Now's the perfect time. Following the Ryzen 7 9800X3D's earlier release, AMD has launched its top-tier Ryzen 9 siblings—the 9950X3D ($699) and 9900X3D ($599)—featuring Zen 5 "X3D" architecture. These processors represent the pinnacle of gaming performance across both AMD and Intel. Gamers prioritizing pure performance should opt for the 9800X3D and allocate remaining budget elsewhere; however, creators with larger budgets and a gaming passion will appreciate the significant performance boost of the Ryzen 9 processors, benefiting from their increased core count and cache.

**Note:** Processor availability fluctuates; stock is often limited.

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 top-tier gaming performance need look no further. The 9950X3D boasts a 5.7GHz max boost clock, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While only marginally outperforming the 9800X3D in gaming, its productivity capabilities significantly surpass both the 9800X3D and 9900X3D, as well as any Intel offerings.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D might be the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but that doesn't guarantee superiority across all tasks. The more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D ($479) suffices for most users. The 9950X3D shines for gamers using creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, offering a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D. For pure gaming, however, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card is likely a wiser investment."

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 leverages 3D V-Cache technology for gaming optimization. All three CPUs utilize this technology on a single CCD, resulting in similar gaming performance; minor differences stem from clock speed variations. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D features a 5.2GHz max boost clock, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of multitasking, rendering, and creative tasks, its core count limits its suitability for intensive workloads. However, it excels in gaming, especially considering its price.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers exceptional gaming performance, making it a more compelling choice than processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a high-end graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes GPU performance."

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 caters to creators who game but need to stay within a budget. It boasts a 5.5GHz max boost clock, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. While not yet reviewed, its performance is expected to fall between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. Gaming performance should be comparable to its siblings.

AMD's Hot Streak with CPUs and GPUs

Those who waited for AMD's response to Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs made a smart move. The Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are the new mid-range champions, offering exceptional performance at lower prices than their Nvidia competitors. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT starts at $600 (though manufacturer price increases are emerging). See our Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT reviews for benchmark details.

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