AMD's Zen 5 3D V-Cache CPUs Launch

Planning your next PC upgrade and considering AMD? Now's the perfect time. Following the earlier release of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, AMD has launched its top-tier Ryzen 9 siblings – the 9950X3D ($699) and 9900X3D ($599) – both boasting Zen 5 "X3D" architecture. These processors collectively represent the pinnacle of gaming performance across both AMD and Intel. While pure gamers will find the 9800X3D a superb choice, creators with more substantial budgets and a passion for gaming will appreciate the significant performance boost offered by the Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their increased core count and cache.

**Note: Processor availability is fluctuating; stock is often limited.**

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

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D AM5 Desktop Processor

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Creative professionals seeking the ultimate gaming chip need look no further. The 9950X3D boasts a 5.7GHz max boost clock, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While offering only a marginal gaming performance advantage over the 9800X3D, its productivity prowess significantly surpasses both the 9800X3D and 9900X3D, as well as any Intel competitor.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D might be the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but it doesn't automatically outperform all others. The more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D ($479) is a great option for most users. The 9950X3D shines for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, delivering a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D in such tasks. For pure gaming, however, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be a wiser investment."

The Gamer's Choice: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 Desktop Processor

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AMD's X3D series processors are gaming-optimized thanks to 3D V-Cache technology. All three CPUs utilize 3D V-cache on a single CCD, resulting in comparable gaming performance. Minor differences stem primarily from clock speed variations. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D features a 5.2GHz max boost clock, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of multitasking, rendering, and creative work, its core count limits its suitability for intensive tasks. However, it's a phenomenal gaming processor, especially considering its price.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers exceptional gaming performance, making it a more compelling choice than recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. Paired with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes GPU performance."

The Middleman: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU

AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D AM5 Desktop Processor

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The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D bridges the gap for those who engage in creative work and gaming but need to stay within a budget. It offers a 5.5GHz max boost clock, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. While we haven't reviewed it yet, its performance is expected to fall between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity and multi-core workloads. Gaming performance should be comparable to its siblings.

AMD's Hot Streak with CPUs and GPUs

If you waited to see if AMD's new GPUs could compete with Nvidia's Blackwell offerings, you made the right call. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are the new mid-range champions, offering exceptional performance at lower prices than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT starts at $600 (though pricing may vary). Check out our Radeon RX 9070 and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU reviews for benchmarks.

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