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

If you're contemplating joining the AMD community for your next computer upgrade, the timing couldn't be better. AMD has recently unveiled its top-tier Ryzen 9 processors in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup, complementing the earlier release of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is priced at $699, while the Ryzen 9 9900X3D is available for $599. These processors are currently the pinnacle of gaming performance, outshining even Intel's offerings. For pure gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the most cost-effective choice, freeing up budget for other components. Meanwhile, creators who also enjoy gaming will appreciate the substantial performance boost provided by the Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their higher core counts and cache.

Note: Be aware that these processors frequently go in and out of stock, often being more out than in.

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 top-notch gaming performance need look no further than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This processor boasts a maximum boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and an impressive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While its gaming performance edges out the 9800X3D by just a few percentage points, it significantly outperforms both the other Zen 5 X3D chips and Intel's offerings in productivity tasks.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"While the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is arguably the most powerful gaming processor available, it's not universally superior to all competitors. For many, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, at a more budget-friendly $479, offers sufficient performance. The 9950X3D is ideal for those who both game and use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it delivers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. However, for a purely gaming-focused build, saving the additional $220 for a better graphics card might be wiser."

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. Despite all three CPUs featuring this technology on a single CCD, their gaming performance remains largely comparable, with minor variations attributed to clock speed differences. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a maximum boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While it handles multitasking, rendering, and creation well, its core count limits its prowess in these areas. Nevertheless, it's an exceptional choice for gamers, particularly at this competitive price point.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it a standout choice compared to 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 an excellent investment 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 Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the go-to processor for those balancing creative work with gaming on a budget that doesn't stretch to the 9950X3D. With a maximum boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache, it's poised to deliver performance between that of the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks. In gaming, its performance is expected to be on par with the other two processors in the lineup.

AMD's Hot Streak with New CPUs and GPUs

If you've been holding off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to evaluate AMD's latest, your patience has paid off. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT have emerged as the mid-range champions of this generation, offering stellar performance at a lower cost than Nvidia's equivalents. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the RX 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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