Just a few months after the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D was introduced, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D arrives, bringing its advanced 3D V-Cache technology to a 16-core, 32-thread gaming processor. This powerhouse is designed to effortlessly handle top-tier graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 or future models. However, with its steep $699 price tag and a 170W power budget, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a tough sell for anyone not building a high-end, expensive gaming PC. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains a more practical choice.
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 fluctuate based on demand.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos
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Specs and Features
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D combines the Zen 5 cores of the standard 9950X with the 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache technology seen in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination ensures outstanding multi-core performance alongside enhanced gaming capabilities due to a significantly larger cache.
Unlike its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the new model places the 3D V-Cache directly beneath the CPU cores. This placement not only improves thermal performance by positioning the heat-generating Core Complex Die (CCD) closer to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) but also reduces data latency due to the shorter travel distance. The 9950X3D boasts a massive 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache, matching its last-generation counterpart but still far surpassing non-X3D processors.
Both the Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, though the original 9950X can potentially reach a higher PPT. In testing, both processors peaked at 200W, but the 9950X3D maintained a lower peak temperature of 79°C, thanks to a different cooler setup.
F fortunately, the 9950X3D is compatible with existing AM5 AMD motherboards, and AMD has committed to supporting this socket until at least 2027, ensuring long-term platform viability.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks
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Performance
Before delving into performance results, note that all CPUs were tested on the same hardware setup, with the exception of the Ryzen 9 9950X, which was tested on an Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard with a Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler. This hardware variance might affect performance slightly, but all tests were conducted 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
Due to a hardware issue with the cooler mount, the test results might be revisited in future updates.
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB cache, delivers exceptional power. In creative benchmarks, where the 9800X3D struggled, the 9950X3D keeps pace with the top chips on the market.
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 performs remarkably well against the 9800X3D, scoring 2,254 points in Cinebench 1T compared to 2,033 points—a 10% improvement. In the 3DMark CPU Profile test, it scores 1,280 points, close to the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 1,351 points.
Multi-threaded workloads see the Ryzen 9 9950X3D scoring 40,747 points in Cinebench's multi-core test, slightly behind the 9950X's 41,123 points and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 42,245 points. However, this trade-off is justified by the improved gaming performance.
In gaming benchmarks, the 9950X3D achieves 274 fps in Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p with Ultra settings, outperforming the 9800X3D's 254 fps and the Core Ultra 9 285K's 255 fps. 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 165 fps of the Intel competitor.
Overkill?
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is undeniably one of the most powerful gaming processors available, yet it may not be the best choice for everyone. For most gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, offers a more cost-effective solution. The 9950X3D is ideal for those who not only play games but also engage in creative tasks like Photoshop and Premiere, where it provides a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a purely gaming-focused build, saving the $220 difference could be better spent on upgrading to a superior graphics card.
