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

If you're considering joining the AMD community for your next upgrade, now is an excellent time to make the leap. AMD has recently introduced its top-tier Ryzen 9 processors within the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup, complementing the earlier release of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is priced at $699, while the 9900X3D comes in at $599. These processors stand out as the premier gaming chips, surpassing both Intel and AMD's previous offerings. For those solely focused on gaming, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the best value, freeing up funds for other components. However, creators with a gaming interest and a larger budget will find the Ryzen 9 processors' enhanced core count and cache to be 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

Creative professionals seeking the pinnacle of gaming performance need look no further than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This powerhouse boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, with 16 cores, 32 threads, and a whopping 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it edges out the 9800X3D by just a few percentage points in gaming, its true strength lies in productivity tasks, where it significantly outperforms both its Zen 5 X3D siblings and Intel's offerings.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D might be the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but it's not universally superior. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, offers ample performance at a more accessible price point. The 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it delivers a 15% performance increase over the 9800X3D. However, for a dedicated gaming build, consider investing the saved $220 in a superior graphics card."

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, optimized for gaming through 3D V-Cache technology, offer similar gaming performance across the lineup due to the technology's implementation on a single CCD. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, with its 5.2GHz max boost clock, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache, is a gaming beast at this price. While capable of multitasking and creative work, its core count limits its efficiency in those areas compared to higher-end models.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it a top recommendation over competitors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. Pairing it with a high-end graphics card maximizes its potential, delivering exceptional 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 AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the perfect middle ground for creators who game but need to stick to a budget. With a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache, it offers a balance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D. Its performance in productivity and multi-core workloads should fall between its siblings, while gaming performance remains comparable across the board.

AMD is on a Hot Streak with Its New CPUs and GPUs

If you've been waiting to see what AMD has up its sleeve before investing in Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs, your patience has paid off. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are the new mid-range champions, offering superior performance at a lower price point. The RX 9070 starts at $550, and the RX 9070 XT at $600, though prices may vary due to manufacturer adjustments. For detailed insights, check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review.

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