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

If you're contemplating joining the AMD community for your next hardware upgrade, now is an opportune moment. Following the launch of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D earlier this year, AMD has introduced its premium Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors are currently leading the pack in gaming performance across both AMD and Intel. For dedicated gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers the best value, allowing you to invest your budget elsewhere. Meanwhile, content creators who also enjoy gaming will find the Ryzen 9 processors exceptionally beneficial due to their higher core counts and enhanced cache capabilities.

Note: Be aware that these processors frequently go in and out of stock, often remaining unavailable.

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. With a maximum boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a whopping 144MB of L2-L3 cache, this CPU is a powerhouse. While its gaming performance is only marginally superior to the 9800X3D, it significantly outpaces both 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 as a top-tier gaming processor, but it doesn't automatically outshine every competitor. Most users will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, more than sufficient. The 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also engage with creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it delivers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a pure gaming build, however, saving the extra $220 for a superior graphics card is advisable."

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, equipped with 3D V-Cache technology, are tailored for gaming. Although all three CPUs utilize the 3D V-Cache on a single CCD, resulting in similar gaming performance, minor differences arise due to varying clock speeds. 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. While capable of multitasking and creative work, its core count limits its effectiveness in those areas, making it the ultimate choice for gamers at its price point.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it a more compelling choice than recent competitors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes GPU performance, delivering unparalleled gaming experiences."

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 strikes a balance for those involved in creative work who also enjoy gaming but need to stick to a budget. With a 5.5GHz max boost clock, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache, it's expected to perform between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In gaming, it should perform comparably to its siblings.

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

If you held off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to evaluate AMD's new offerings, you made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions, delivering outstanding performance at a lower cost than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, while the 9070 XT begins at $600, though 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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