AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Unveiling Performance and Features

Just a few months after the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D hit the market, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D introduces its 3D V-Cache technology to a 16-core, 32-thread gaming processor. This powerhouse is designed to keep pace with high-end graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 and beyond. However, with a steep $699 price tag and a 170W power consumption, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D might be overkill for the average gamer. For those not building an ultra-high-end gaming rig, the more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains a sensible choice.

Purchasing Guide

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D will be available starting March 12 at a suggested retail price of $699. Keep in mind that AMD's processor prices can vary based on market demand.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos

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Specs and Features

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D leverages the same Zen 5 cores as the standard 9950X but enhances gaming performance with the new 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache technology seen in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This results in robust multi-core performance complemented by improved gaming capabilities thanks to a larger cache.

Unlike its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the 3D V-Cache on the 9950X3D is positioned beneath the CPU cores, which significantly boosts thermal performance. By placing the Core Complex Die (CCD) closer to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS), heat dissipation is more efficient, allowing for sustained high performance. Additionally, the cache's location directly under the cores reduces data travel distance, lowering latency and increasing cache capacity to a massive 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache.

Both the Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, although the original 9950X can reach higher power peaks. In testing, both processors hit a peak of 200W, but the 9950X3D maintained a lower temperature of 79°C, thanks to a different cooling solution. Compatibility with AM5 AMD motherboards ensures future-proofing, as AMD has committed to supporting this socket until at least 2027.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks

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Performance

Performance tests were conducted on consistent hardware, with the exception of the Ryzen 9 9950X, which was tested on an Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard with a Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler. While hardware variations might affect results, all tests were run 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

Note: A hardware issue with the cooler led to a temporary setup change, which will be re-evaluated in future tests.

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB cache, delivers exceptional performance. In creative benchmarks, it outperforms the 9800X3D and competes well with the market's top processors.

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

In single-core workloads, the 9950X3D demonstrates a 10% improvement over the 9800X3D in Cinebench 1T, scoring 2,254 points to the latter's 2,033. In 3DMark CPU Profile, it scores 1,280 points, closely trailing the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 1,351 points.

For multi-threaded workloads, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D achieves 40,747 points in Cinebench, slightly behind the 9950X and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, but its gaming performance is unmatched. In Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p on Ultra settings, it reaches 274 fps, outpacing the 9800X3D and Core Ultra 9 285K. However, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with the Ultra preset and ray tracing off, it delivers 229 fps, slightly less than the 9800X3D's 240 fps but still significantly ahead of the Intel competitor.

Overkill?

While the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D stands as one of the most powerful gaming processors available, it may not be the best choice for everyone. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, at a more budget-friendly $479, meets the needs of most gamers. The 9950X3D is ideal for those who require both top-tier gaming performance and high-end creative application capabilities, offering a 15% improvement in apps like Photoshop and Premiere over the 9800X3D. For pure gaming builds, the extra $220 might be better invested in a superior graphics card.