If you're considering joining the AMD community for your next hardware upgrade, now's the perfect time to make the leap. AMD has recently expanded its Zen 5 "X3D" lineup with the introduction of two high-end Ryzen 9 models: the 9950X3D priced at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors, along with the earlier released Ryzen 7 9800X3D, are among the top gaming chips available, rivaling even the best from Intel. For gamers looking to maximize performance without breaking the bank, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D at $479 is the way to go, freeing up funds for other components. Meanwhile, creators who also enjoy gaming and have a larger budget will find the Ryzen 9 processors particularly appealing due to their higher core counts and enhanced cache.
Note: These processors are frequently in and out of stock, so keep an eye on 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
For creative professionals who also demand the pinnacle of gaming performance, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the ultimate choice. This powerhouse boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a whopping 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only a marginal edge in gaming over the 9800X3D, its true strength lies in productivity tasks, where it significantly outperforms its siblings and Intel's offerings.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D stands as one of the most powerful gaming processors available, yet it doesn't dominate every scenario. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a more budget-friendly $479, is sufficient. However, the 9950X3D is tailored for those who not only game but also engage with demanding creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a purely gaming-focused build, consider saving the additional $220 for 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 with 3D V-Cache technology, deliver similar gaming performance across all models due to the cache being loaded onto a single CCD. The primary difference lies in clock speeds. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, with its max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache, is a gaming beast at this price point. While it's capable of multitasking, rendering, and creative work, its core count makes it less ideal for those tasks.
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 ensures you extract maximum performance from your GPU."
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 ideal choice for those who balance creative work with gaming 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's expected to offer performance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in productivity tasks. For gaming, it should perform similarly to its siblings.
AMD's Hot Streak with New CPUs and GPUs
If you've been holding off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD has in store, 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 point 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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