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

Ready to upgrade your PC with AMD's latest and greatest? Now's the perfect time. Following the launch of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, AMD has unveiled its top-tier Ryzen 9 siblings, the 9950X3D ($699) and 9900X3D ($599), both boasting Zen 5 "X3D" architecture. These processors are contenders for the best gaming CPUs on the market, surpassing both Intel and AMD's previous offerings.

Gamers focused solely on performance should consider the 9800X3D and allocate their budget accordingly; however, creators needing powerful processing capabilities and enjoying gaming will find the Ryzen 9 processors' increased core count and cache a significant advantage.

**Note: Processor availability fluctuates; stock may be limited.**

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-tier gaming performance need look no further. The 9950X3D delivers a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While offering only a slight gaming performance edge over the 9800X3D, its productivity capabilities significantly outperform the other Zen 5 X3D chips and all Intel competitors.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is arguably the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but this doesn't automatically make it superior in every scenario. The more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D ($479) is perfectly suitable for most users. The 9950X3D shines for gamers who also utilize creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro, delivering a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D in these applications. For pure gaming builds, 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

$479.00 at Amazon
$479.00 at Best Buy
$479.00 at Newegg

AMD's X3D series processors are gaming-optimized, leveraging 3D V-Cache technology. All three CPUs utilize 3D V-cache on a single CCD, resulting in comparable gaming performance with minor differences primarily attributed to clock speed variations. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D boasts 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 isn't ideal for intensive tasks. However, it's an exceptional gaming processor, especially at its price point.

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. When 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

$599.00 at Amazon
$599.00 at Best Buy
$599.00 at Newegg

The Ryzen 9 9900X3D is a suitable option for users who perform creative work and enjoy gaming but need to stay within a budget that the 9950X3D exceeds. This processor features a 5.5GHz max boost clock, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. While not yet reviewed, its performance is anticipated to fall between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads, offering comparable gaming performance to its siblings.

AMD's Hot Streak with CPUs and GPUs

If you waited to see if AMD's new GPU offerings could compete with Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs, you made the right call. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are leading mid-range cards, offering excellent 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 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review for benchmark details.

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