If you're considering upgrading to AMD processors, now is the perfect opportunity. Following the earlier 2024 release of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, AMD has unveiled its flagship Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D priced at $699 and the 9900X3D available for $599. These processors currently lead the market for gaming performance between both Intel and AMD offerings. Dedicated gamers will find the 9800X3D delivers exceptional value, while content creators who game will appreciate the Ryzen 9's performance gains from additional cores and cache.
Note: Inventory fluctuates frequently (often showing out-of-stock status).
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 elite gaming performance need look no further. The 9950X3D features a 5.7GHz boost clock with 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB combined cache. While gaming improvements over the 9800X3D are marginal, its productivity performance surpasses all Zen 5 X3D chips and Intel competitors.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"While the Ryzen 9 9950X3D currently stands as the most powerful gaming processor available, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D at $479 remains sufficient for most users. The 9950X3D specifically benefits gamers who also utilize creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere - showing 15% better performance than its sibling. For gaming-focused builds, allocating the $220 savings toward a superior GPU proves wiser."
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 3D V-Cache technology makes these processors gaming powerhouses. With identical cache configurations across CCDs, performance differences stem primarily from clock speeds. The 9800X3D offers 5.2GHz boost clocks, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB cache. While competent for content creation, its core count limits intensive workloads - but it delivers unmatched gaming value.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The 9800X3D's gaming dominance makes it a stronger recommendation than Intel's Core Ultra 9 285K or AMD's own Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with high-end GPUs, it maximizes gaming performance better than competing processors."
The Balanced Option: 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 9900X3D represents the sweet spot for creators who game but require budget-conscious choices. With 5.5GHz boost clocks, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB cache, it bridges the gap between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in productivity while delivering comparable gaming performance.
AMD Continues Its Winning Streak
Those awaiting AMD's response to Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs made a strategic decision. The Radeon RX 9070 ($550) and RX 9070 XT ($600) redefine mid-range value, outperforming Nvidia's offerings at lower price points. See our reviews for comprehensive benchmarks.
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