If you're considering upgrading to AMD, now is the perfect time. Earlier this year, AMD introduced the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and now they've launched two higher-end Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors are currently the top gaming chips available, surpassing even Intel's offerings. For pure gamers, the 9800X3D is the best choice, allowing you to allocate funds elsewhere. However, creators with a budget for gaming will appreciate the significant performance boost provided by the Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their higher core count and increased cache.
Note: These processors are frequently out of stock, so act quickly when you find them available.
The Creator's Choice: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU
### AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
0$699.00 at Amazon$699.00 at Best Buy$699.00 at NeweggCreative professionals who also enjoy gaming should consider the Ryzen 9 9950X3D without hesitation. This processor boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only a slight edge over the 9800X3D in gaming, it significantly outperforms both the 9800X3D and Intel's offerings in productivity tasks.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a powerhouse for gaming, but it's not the best choice for everyone. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, is more than sufficient for most users. The 9950X3D shines for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-focused build, consider saving the $220 difference for a better graphics card."
The Gamer's Choice: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU
### AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
13$479.00 at Amazon$479.00 at Best Buy$479.00 at NeweggAMD's X3D series processors are optimized for gaming thanks to AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. All three CPUs feature the 3D V-cache on a single CCD, resulting in similar gaming performance across the board. The minor differences are primarily due to variations in clock speed. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, with a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache, is a powerhouse for gaming, especially at its price point. While it can handle multitasking, rendering, and creation, its core count limits its effectiveness for those tasks.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is exceptionally powerful for gaming, making it an easy recommendation over other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. If you're building a rig with a high-end graphics card, the 9800X3D will maximize your GPU's performance."
The Middleman: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU
### AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
0$599.00 at Amazon$599.00 at Best Buy$599.00 at NeweggIf you're involved in creative work and enjoy gaming but need to stick to a budget, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the ideal choice. It offers a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. Although we haven't reviewed this chip yet, its specs suggest performance that falls between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In gaming, it should perform similarly to the other two.
AMD is on a hot streak with its new CPUs and GPUs
If you've been waiting to see how AMD's new offerings compare to Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs, you've made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions, offering exceptional performance at a lower price than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, while the 9070 XT starts 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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