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

If you're considering upgrading to AMD, now is the perfect time to make the switch. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D that debuted earlier this year, AMD has recently released its two higher-end Ryzen 9 siblings in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D, priced at $699, and the 9900X3D, available for $599. These processors stand out as the top gaming chips on the market, surpassing both Intel and AMD's previous offerings. For pure gamers, the 9800X3D is the ideal choice, allowing you to allocate more funds to other components. However, creators with a bigger budget and a love for gaming will see significant performance boosts with the new Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their enhanced core count and cache.

Note: Keep in mind that these processors are frequently out of stock, so act quickly when you spot them available.

The Creator's Choice: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU

### AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D AM5 Desktop Processor

0$699.00 at Amazon$699.00 at Best Buy$699.00 at NeweggCreative professionals who also want the best gaming chip on the market should look no further; this is the CPU to get. The new 9950X3D boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz with 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only a slight edge in gaming performance over the 9800X3D, 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

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is currently the most powerful gaming processor available, but it's not the best choice for everyone. Most users will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, more than sufficient. The 9950X3D is best suited 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, 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

13$479.00 at Amazon$479.00 at Best Buy$479.00 at NeweggAMD's X3D series processors are optimized for gaming thanks to AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. Since all three CPUs feature the 3D V-cache on a single CCD, gaming performance is nearly identical across the lineup, with minor differences due to clock speed variations. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.2GHz with 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of multitasking, rendering, and creative work, its core count limits its effectiveness in these areas. However, it's an exceptional choice for gaming, especially 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 performance, making it the best choice for gamers looking to get the most out of their GPU."

The Middleman: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU

### AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D AM5 Desktop Processor

0$599.00 at Amazon$599.00 at Best Buy$599.00 at NeweggThe AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the perfect choice for those who balance creative work with gaming but need to stick to a budget. The new 9900X3D features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz with 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. Although we haven't reviewed this chip yet, its specs suggest it will offer performance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In gaming, it should perform similarly to the other two.

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 graphics cards are the new mid-range champions of this generation, 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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