Just a few months after the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D hit the market, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D has arrived, bringing its advanced 3D V-Cache technology to a 16-core, 32-thread gaming processor. This powerhouse is designed to keep pace with high-end graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090, offering unparalleled performance for gamers and enthusiasts.
However, this impressive core count comes with a steep price tag of $699 and a 170W power budget, positioning it as a premium choice for those building top-tier gaming rigs. For the majority of users, the more cost-effective Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains a compelling alternative.
Purchasing Guide
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D will be available starting March 12, with a suggested retail price of $699. Keep in mind that AMD's processor prices can vary based on market demand.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos
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Specs and Features
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D leverages the same Zen 5 cores as the standard 9950X but enhances them with the second-generation 3D V-Cache technology, similar to that in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination ensures robust multi-core performance alongside superior gaming capabilities, thanks to an expanded cache.
A notable design change from its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, is the placement of the 3D V-Cache directly beneath the CPU cores. This strategic positioning not only improves thermal performance by allowing better heat dissipation through the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) but also reduces data latency due to shorter travel distances. The 9950X3D boasts a massive 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache, matching the previous generation's capacity but significantly outpacing non-X3D processors.
Both the Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, though the original 9950X can reach a higher peak power threshold. In testing, both processors hit a peak of 200W, but the 9950X3D maintained a lower peak temperature of 79°C, thanks to a different cooling setup.
Compatibility is another strong point, as the 9950X3D works with any AM5 AMD motherboard. AMD has committed to supporting this socket until at least 2027, ensuring long-term viability for your investment.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks
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Performance
All CPUs were tested on identical hardware setups, with the exception of the Ryzen 9 9950X, which was evaluated on an Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard with a Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler. While this variation might affect results slightly, the impact is minimal at stock settings.
AMD Test Bench:
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
- Motherboard: Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero; Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Hero (9800X3D)
- RAM: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo @ 6,000MHz
- SSD: 1TB PNY CS3140 Gen4x4 NVMe SSD
- CPU Cooler: Asus ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB Extreme
A hardware issue with the cooler necessitated a change during testing, but future updates will reflect any significant differences.
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of cache, delivers exceptional performance across the board. In creative benchmarks where the 9800X3D lagged, the 9950X3D holds its own against the market's top chips.
Intel Test Bench:
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
- Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus Z890 Hero (200S); Asus Prime Z790-A (14th-Gen)
- RAM: 32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 @ 6,000MHz
- SSD: PNY CS3140 1TB Gen 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
- CPU Cooler: Asus ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB Extreme
In single-core workloads, the 9950X3D outperforms the 9800X3D by 10% in Cinebench 1T, scoring 2,254 points compared to 2,033. It also comes close to the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K in the 3DMark CPU Profile test, with 1,280 points versus 1,351.
In multi-threaded tasks, the 9950X3D achieves 40,747 points in Cinebench's multi-core test, slightly behind the 9950X and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K but optimized for gaming performance.
Gaming benchmarks show the 9950X3D excelling in Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p with Ultra settings, achieving 274 fps with the RTX 4090, surpassing the 9800X3D and Core Ultra 9 285K. However, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with the Ultra preset and ray tracing disabled, it delivers 229 fps, slightly less than the 9800X3D's 240 fps but still significantly faster than the Intel counterpart's 165 fps.
Overkill?
While the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the most powerful gaming processor available, it may not be the best choice for everyone. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, offers a more budget-friendly option for most users.
The 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also engage in creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it shows a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For those focused solely on gaming, the savings from choosing the 9800X3D could be better invested in a superior graphics card.
