Just a few months after the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D graced us with its presence, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D brings its 3D V-Cache technology to a 16-core, 32-thread gaming processor that’s absolutely overkill for most users. However, it will have no problem keeping up with powerful graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 or whatever comes next. Despite its prowess, the high $699 price tag and a 170W power budget make this processor a challenging recommendation for anyone not building an incredibly powerful and expensive gaming PC. For the majority, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a more sensible choice.
Purchasing Guide
----------------The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D will be available starting March 12, with a suggested retail price of $699. Keep in mind, AMD's processors can experience price fluctuations based on market demand.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos
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Specs and Features
------------------The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D combines the same Zen 5 cores found in the regular 9950X with the new 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache from the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination ensures excellent multi-core performance and enhanced gaming capabilities thanks to a larger cache.
Unlike its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the 3D V-Cache in the 9950X3D is now located below the CPU cores rather than above them. This seemingly small change significantly improves thermal performance. Since the Core Complex Die (CCD) generates most of the CPU's heat, positioning it closer to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) facilitates better heat dissipation. With AMD's performance algorithm considering thermal headroom, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D can run faster and longer.
The cache's new position also reduces data travel distance, lowering latency. Additionally, the increased cache space allows for a total of 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache, matching the last-generation Ryzen 9 7950X3D and surpassing non-X3D processors.
Both the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, although the original 9950X has a higher potential PPT. In testing, both processors peaked at 200W, but the 9950X3D maintained a lower peak temperature of 79°C, thanks to being tested on a different cooler.
F fortunately, the 9950X3D's compatibility extends to any AM5 AMD motherboard, as it does not require a new chipset. AMD has committed to supporting this socket until at least 2027, ensuring long-term platform viability.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks
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Performance
-----------Before delving into performance results, it's important to note that all CPUs were tested on identical hardware, except for the Ryzen 9 9950X, which was tested on an Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard with a Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler. Although this difference might affect performance, it's unlikely to be significant, especially since all tests were conducted at stock settings.
AMD Test bench:
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
- Motherboard: Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero; Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Hero (9800X3D)
- RAM: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo @ 6,000MHz
- SSD: 1TB PNY CS3140 Gen4x4 NVMe SSD
- CPU Cooler: Asus ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB Extreme
This setup variation occurred due to a broken mounting screw on the Asus ROG Ryujin III 360mm cooler during the switch to the 9950X. I plan to retest the processors in the coming weeks and will update this section if significant differences arise.
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, boasting 16 cores, 32 threads, and a staggering 144MB of cache, delivers exceptional performance. Even in creative benchmarks where the 9800X3D lagged, the 9950X3D competes with the most powerful chips available.
Intel Test Bench:
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
- Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus Z890 Hero (200S); Asus Prime Z790-A (14th-Gen)
- RAM: 32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 @ 6,000MHz
- SSD: PNY CS3140 1TB Gen 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
- CPU Cooler: Asus ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB Extreme
Surprisingly, the 9950X3D performs well against the 9800X3D in single-core workloads. In Cinebench 1T, the 9950X3D scores 2,254 points compared to 2,033 points for the 9800X3D, a 10% improvement. In the 3DMark CPU Profile test, the 9950X3D achieves 1,280 points, closely approaching the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 1,351 points.
In multi-threaded workloads, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D shines, scoring 40,747 points in Cinebench's multi-core test. Although it slightly underperforms compared to the 9950X (41,123 points) and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (42,245 points), the trade-off is a significant boost in gaming performance.
In Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p with Ultra settings, the 9950X3D achieves 274 fps when paired with the RTX 4090, surpassing the 254 fps of the 9800X3D and 255 fps of the Core Ultra 9 285K. However, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with the Ultra preset and ray tracing disabled, the 9950X3D delivers 229 fps, slightly lower than the 240 fps from the 9800X3D, yet still significantly faster than the 165 fps from the competing Intel processor.
Overkill?
---------The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D might be the most powerful gaming processor available, but it doesn't necessarily outshine every other chip on the market. Most gamers will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a more affordable $479, perfectly adequate.
The 9950X3D is better suited for users who both game and use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance increase over the 9800X3D. For a purely gaming-focused build, however, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be the wiser choice.
