AMD Zen 5 Gaming CPUs Restocked: 9950X3D, 9900X3D, 9800X3D

If you're considering joining the AMD bandwagon for your next upgrade, the timing couldn't be better. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which debuted earlier this year, AMD has released two higher-end Ryzen 9 processors in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors are currently the top gaming chips available from both Intel and AMD. For pure gamers, the 9800X3D is the best value, allowing you to allocate funds elsewhere. However, creators with a passion for gaming and deeper pockets will greatly benefit from the performance boost provided by the new Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their higher core counts and larger cache.

Note: Processors are frequently in and out of stock, with limited availability.

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 who also demand the best gaming performance should look no further than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This powerhouse boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and an impressive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only a slight edge over the 9800X3D in gaming performance, it significantly outperforms both 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 undoubtedly the most powerful gaming processor available, yet it doesn't automatically outshine every other chip on the market. Most users will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a much more affordable $479, to be sufficient. The 9950X3D is specifically tailored for gamers who also engage with creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, showing a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-only build, 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 AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. Since all three CPUs have the 3D V-Cache on a single CCD, gaming performance is similar across the lineup, with minor variations due to clock speed differences. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of multitasking, rendering, and creative tasks, its core count makes it less ideal for those applications. However, at this price point, it's an exceptional choice for gaming enthusiasts.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it an easy recommendation over other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes performance, delivering the best gaming experience possible."

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

If you're into creative work and gaming but need to stick to a budget, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the perfect middle ground. It features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. Although we haven't reviewed it yet, its specs suggest performance that falls between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In gaming, it should perform comparably to the other two.

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 to offer, you made the right call. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are the new mid-range champions. These graphics cards deliver outstanding performance at a lower price 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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