If you're considering upgrading to AMD's latest offerings, you're in for a treat. With the recent launch of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D earlier this year, and now the introduction of the higher-end Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup, AMD is setting the bar high for gaming and productivity performance. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D, priced at $699, and the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, available for $599, are leading the pack in both gaming and creative workloads. For those focused purely on gaming, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D at $479 remains an excellent choice, allowing you to allocate more budget to other components. However, if you're a content creator who also enjoys gaming, the increased core count and cache of the Ryzen 9 processors will provide a significant performance boost.
Note: These processors are frequently in and out of stock, often leaning towards 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
For creative professionals seeking the pinnacle of gaming performance, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the ultimate choice. With a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache, this processor excels in both gaming and productivity. While it offers only a slight edge in gaming performance over the 9800X3D, it significantly outperforms it in creative tasks, making it the top choice for those who need the best of both worlds.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D stands out as the most powerful gaming processor available, yet it's not the automatic best choice for everyone. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, offers a more budget-friendly option. The 9950X3D, however, is ideal for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it delivers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For those building a gaming-focused PC, saving the extra $220 for a better 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 3D V-Cache technology. Despite all three CPUs featuring the 3D V-Cache on a single CCD, the gaming performance remains consistent across the lineup, with minor differences attributed to clock speeds. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, with its max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache, is a powerhouse for gamers. While capable of multitasking and creative work, its core count makes it less ideal for intensive creative tasks. However, at this price point, it's an unbeatable choice for gaming enthusiasts.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it a top recommendation over other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a high-end graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes your GPU's potential, offering unmatched performance for the price."
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 strikes a balance for users who engage in both creative work and gaming but need to stay within a budget. With a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache, it offers a performance level that falls between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D. While we haven't reviewed this chip yet, its specs suggest it will deliver solid performance in productivity tasks and multi-core workloads, with gaming performance 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 are now the mid-range champions, offering exceptional performance at a lower price point than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, while the 9070 XT begins at $600, although prices may vary due to manufacturer adjustments. For detailed performance metrics, check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review.
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