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

If you're considering an upgrade to AMD's latest offerings, the timing couldn't be better. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which launched earlier this year, AMD has introduced two higher-end Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors stand out as top-tier gaming chips, surpassing both Intel and AMD's previous generations. For pure gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the go-to choice, allowing you to allocate funds elsewhere. However, if you're a creator with a bigger budget and a passion for gaming, the new Ryzen 9 processors offer significant performance boosts thanks to their enhanced core counts and cache.

Note: These processors are frequently in and out of stock, often leaning more 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 should look no further than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This powerhouse boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and an impressive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only a slight edge in gaming performance over the 9800X3D, 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 is a powerhouse in the gaming world, yet it doesn't dominate every category. For most users, the more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D at $479 is sufficient. The 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, seeing a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a pure gaming build, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be a smarter move."

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 are optimized for gaming, thanks to the innovative 3D V-Cache technology. Although all three CPUs share this technology on a single CCD, the differences in performance are mainly due to clock speeds. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of handling multitasking, rendering, and creative work, its core count makes it less ideal for these tasks. However, at this price point, it's an unbeatable choice for gaming.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it a top 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 maximizes your gaming 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 Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the perfect middle ground for those who engage in creative work and enjoy gaming but need to stay within a budget. With a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache, it offers a balanced performance. While we haven't reviewed this chip yet, its specs suggest it will fall between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in productivity and multi-core workloads, with gaming performance expected to be comparable 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 see what AMD had in store, you made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT 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. For detailed performance insights, check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review.

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