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

If you're considering an upgrade to AMD, now is an excellent time to make the switch. AMD has recently launched its high-end Ryzen 9 processors in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup alongside the earlier release of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is priced at $699, while the 9900X3D comes in at $599. These processors are considered the top gaming chips available, surpassing even Intel's offerings. For pure gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the best choice, allowing you to allocate your budget elsewhere. However, creators who also enjoy gaming and have a larger budget will find the Ryzen 9 processors' increased core count and cache to be a significant performance boost.

Note: These processors are frequently in and out of stock, with more time spent 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 best gaming chip on the market should look no further than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This processor boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only a slight edge in gaming performance over the 9800X3D, 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 currently the most powerful gaming processor available, 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 is ideal for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-focused build, however, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be a wiser choice."

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 3D V-Cache technology. All three CPUs in this series feature the 3D V-Cache on a single CCD, resulting in similar gaming performance across the board. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D has a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of multitasking, rendering, and creation, its limited core count makes it less ideal for those tasks. However, it's an exceptional choice for gaming at its price point.

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 GPU performance, making it the best choice for gaming enthusiasts."

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 perfect choice for those who engage in creative work and 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 offers a balanced performance. Although we haven't reviewed this chip yet, its specs suggest it will fall between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in productivity tasks and multi-core workloads, with gaming performance expected to be similar to the other two.

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

If you've been holding off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD has to offer, 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, and the 9070 XT 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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