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

If you're contemplating joining the AMD bandwagon for your next upgrade, the timing couldn't be better. Earlier this year, AMD launched the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and now, they've unveiled two higher-end Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" series: the 9950X3D, priced at $699, and the 9900X3D, available for $599. These processors stand out as the top gaming chips when compared to both Intel and AMD's offerings. Pure gamers should opt for the 9800X3D to allocate their funds elsewhere, while creators with a passion for gaming and deeper pockets will appreciate the significant performance boost offered by the new Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their higher core count and cache.

Note: Processors are frequently going in and out of stock, mostly out of stock unfortunately.

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 who also want the best gaming chip on the market should look no further; the 9950X3D is the CPU to get. With a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache, this processor is a powerhouse. Although it's only marginally better in gaming performance compared to the 9800X3D, it significantly outperforms 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 might be the most powerful gaming processor on the market right now, but that doesn’t mean it has a de facto lead on every other chip on the market. Most people will have no problem getting by with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which is much more affordable at $479. The 9950X3D is perfect for gamers who also use creative apps like Photoshop and Premiere, the latter of which sees a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D. For a pure gaming PC build, though, you’re probably better off saving that extra $220 for a better graphics card."

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 optimized for gaming, thanks to AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. Since all three CPUs have the 3D V-Cache loaded onto a single CCD, gaming performance is roughly the same across the board. The minor differences are mainly due to variations in clock speed. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D boasts a max boost clock of 5.2GHz with 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While it's capable of handling multitasking, rendering, and creation, its limited number of cores means it's not ideal for those tasks. However, for gaming, it's an absolute beast, especially at this price point.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is extremely powerful in games, making it an easier recommendation than other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. Especially if you’re building a rig with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D is the best way to maximize the performance of your chosen GPU."

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 ideal choice for those who do creative work and enjoy gaming but need to stick to a budget. The 9900X3D features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz with 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. While we haven't reviewed this chip yet, its specifications suggest its performance would fall between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In terms of gaming, we expect similar performance to the other two models.

AMD is on a Hot Streak with its New CPUs and GPUs

If you decided to hold off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD had to offer, you made the right choice. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions of this generation. Both cards deliver exceptional performance while undercutting their Nvidia counterparts in price. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT starts at $600 (although prices are being hiked by manufacturers). Check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review for detailed benchmarks.

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