If you're considering upgrading to an AMD processor, now is an excellent time to make the leap. In March, AMD launched the pinnacle of its Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This top-tier processor was quickly snapped up and has been out of stock at many retailers until today, when Amazon restocked it at the original price of $699.00. This chip is not only the best gaming processor available from both AMD and Intel but also surpasses its predecessor, the 9800X3D, making it the top choice for creators.
Mostly out of stock since launch back in March
$699.00 at Amazon
For creative professionals who demand the best gaming performance, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the ultimate choice. This processor features a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it edges out the 9800X3D in gaming by only a few percentage points, it significantly outperforms 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 the most powerful gaming processor currently available. However, it's not necessarily the best for everyone. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a much more accessible $479, is more than sufficient. The 9950X3D is specifically designed for gamers who also engage in demanding creative work, such as using Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D."
$489.00 at Walmart
$489.00 at Amazon
AMD's X3D series processors, enhanced by the 3D V-Cache technology, are optimized for gaming. Despite the three CPUs in the lineup sharing the same V-Cache configuration on a single CCD, their gaming performance is nearly identical, with differences mainly due to clock speeds. The AMD 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 gaming at its price point. While it can handle multitasking, rendering, and creative work, its core count limits its effectiveness for those tasks compared to higher-end models.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it a highly recommended choice over 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, pairing it with the 9800X3D will maximize your GPU's potential."