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

If you're considering upgrading to AMD for your next build, now is an excellent time to make the switch. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which was released earlier this year, has been joined by its higher-end Ryzen 9 counterparts in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D priced at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors are currently among the best gaming chips available, outpacing both Intel and AMD's other offerings. If you're purely focused on gaming, the 9800X3D offers exceptional performance at a more budget-friendly price, allowing you to allocate funds elsewhere. For those with deeper pockets who also engage in creative work, the new Ryzen 9 processors provide significant performance boosts thanks to their higher core count and increased cache.

Note: Be aware that these processors are frequently going in and out of stock, often being unavailable.

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

For creative professionals who also demand top-tier gaming performance, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the ideal choice. With a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache, this processor is a powerhouse. While it only slightly outperforms the 9800X3D in gaming, it significantly outshines both 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 out as the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but it doesn't dominate every category. For gamers on a budget, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, is more than sufficient. The 9950X3D, however, is best suited for users who both game and use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-only 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, optimized for gaming with 3D V-Cache technology, provide similar gaming performance across all models due to the cache being on a single CCD. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, with a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache, is a fantastic choice for gamers. While it can handle multitasking, rendering, and creative tasks, its limited core count makes it less ideal for those purposes. At its price point, however, it's an unbeatable gaming processor.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it highly recommendable over recent competitors 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 middle ground 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, this processor strikes a balance between performance and cost. While we haven't reviewed it yet, its specs suggest it will perform between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in productivity tasks and multi-core workloads, with gaming performance likely 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 in store, you've made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions, offering impressive performance at a lower price than Nvidia's competitors. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, while the 9070 XT is priced 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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