Planning your next PC upgrade and considering AMD? Now's the perfect time. Following the Ryzen 7 9800X3D's earlier release, AMD has unveiled its top-tier Ryzen 9 siblings in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D ($699) and the 9900X3D ($599). These processors collectively represent the pinnacle of gaming performance across both AMD and Intel platforms. While the 9800X3D remains the ideal choice for pure gamers seeking maximum value, creators with larger budgets and a passion for gaming will find the Ryzen 9 processors incredibly compelling, offering a substantial performance boost thanks to their increased core count and cache.

**Note: Availability of these processors is fluctuating; stock is often 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 the best gaming chip available need look no further. The 9950X3D boasts a 5.7GHz max boost clock, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While only marginally outperforming the 9800X3D in gaming, its productivity capabilities significantly surpass both the 9800X3D and 9900X3D, as well as any Intel competitor.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D may be the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but that doesn't automatically make it the best choice for everyone. The more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D ($479) is perfectly adequate for most users. The 9950X3D shines for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro, offering a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D in such tasks. For pure gaming, 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 leverages 3D V-Cache technology for gaming optimization. All three CPUs utilize 3D V-cache on a single CCD, resulting in similar gaming performance across the board. Minor differences stem primarily from clock speed variations. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D features 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 limits its suitability for intensive tasks. However, it's a phenomenal gaming processor, especially considering its price.

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. Particularly when paired with a high-end 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 bridges the gap for users who balance creative work and gaming but need a more budget-conscious alternative to the 9950X3D. It boasts 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 in productivity 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 Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are the new mid-range champions, offering exceptional performance at lower prices than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT starts at $600 (though some manufacturers are increasing prices). Check out our Radeon RX 9070 and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU reviews for benchmarks.

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