The Powerful AMD Zen 5 9950X3D, 9900X3D, and 9800X3D Gaming CPUs Are Now Available

If you're considering an upgrade to an AMD system, now is an excellent time to make the switch. With the recent launch of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D earlier this year, AMD has expanded its Zen 5 "X3D" lineup with two high-end Ryzen 9 models: the 9950X3D, priced at $699, and the 9900X3D, available for $599. These processors are hailed as the top gaming chips available, outpacing both AMD's and Intel's offerings. For dedicated gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers exceptional value, allowing you to allocate savings to other components. Meanwhile, creators with a budget for premium hardware and a love for gaming will find the Ryzen 9 processors invaluable due to their enhanced core counts and cache capacities.

Note: Stock levels for these processors fluctuate frequently, with many models currently 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 who also seek the best gaming performance should not hesitate to choose the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This processor boasts a maximum boost clock of 5.7GHz, with 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it only slightly surpasses the 9800X3D in gaming, it significantly outperforms other Zen 5 X3D chips and Intel's offerings in productivity tasks.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D stands as one of the most powerful gaming processors available. However, it's not necessarily the best choice for everyone. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, offers similar gaming performance at a much more affordable price point. The 9950X3D shines for users who both game and use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it shows a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For pure gaming builds, consider saving the extra $220 for a better 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 are optimized for gaming thanks to the 3D V-Cache technology. Despite the differences in core counts, all three CPUs in the series offer similar gaming performance due to the single CCD with 3D V-cache. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D features a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While it can handle multitasking and creative workloads, its core count makes it less ideal for those tasks. However, it remains an unbeatable choice for gaming at its price point.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers outstanding gaming performance, 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, ensuring an optimal gaming experience."

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 stay within a budget. It features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. Although not yet reviewed, its specs suggest it will offer performance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads, with gaming performance expected to be comparable to its siblings.

AMD's Hot Streak with New CPUs and GPUs

If you've held off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to evaluate AMD's latest releases, you've made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are setting new standards for mid-range performance while undercutting Nvidia's prices. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT at $600, though some manufacturers are increasing these prices. For detailed performance metrics, check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review.

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