Just a few months after the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D graced us with its presence, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D brings its 3D V-Cache technology to a 16-core, 32-thread gaming processor. This powerhouse is designed to keep up with high-end graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 or future releases. However, with a hefty $699 price tag and a 170W power budget, this processor is best suited for those building an exceptionally powerful and expensive gaming PC. For most users, the more affordable 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 market demand.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos
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Specs and Features
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D leverages the same Zen 5 cores as the regular 9950X but enhances them with the 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache technology seen in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination ensures excellent multi-core performance alongside superior gaming capabilities due to an expanded cache.
Unlike its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the 3D V-Cache in the 9950X3D is positioned below the CPU cores, improving thermal performance. This strategic placement allows for better heat dissipation as the Core Complex Die (CCD) is closer to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS). Lower temperatures enable the processor to maintain higher performance levels for longer periods.
The cache's new location also reduces data travel distance, lowering latency. With a total of 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache, the 9950X3D matches the cache size of the previous Ryzen 9 7950X3D, significantly outpacing non-X3D processors.
Both the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, though the original 9950X can reach a higher potential PPT. In testing, both processors peaked at 200W, but the 9950X3D maintained a lower peak temperature of 79°C, thanks to a different cooler.
Compatibility with any AM5 AMD motherboard is a plus, as 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, it's important to note that all CPUs were tested on the same hardware, except for the Ryzen 9 9950X, which was tested on an Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard with a Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler. This hardware variation may affect performance, but the impact is minimal since 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, the 9950X was tested on different hardware. I plan to retest the processors and update this section if significant differences arise.
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of cache, delivers exceptional performance. It excels in creative benchmarks where the 9800X3D lagged, matching the performance of the most powerful chips available.
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 admirably, scoring 2,254 points in Cinebench 1T compared to 2,033 points for the 9800X3D, a 10% improvement. In the 3DMark CPU Profile test, it scores 1,280 points, closely trailing the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 1,351 points.
In multi-threaded workloads, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D shines, achieving 40,747 points in Cinebench's multi-core test. While it falls slightly short of the 9950X's 41,123 points and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 42,245 points, the trade-off is justified by its enhanced gaming performance.
In gaming benchmarks, the 9950X3D excels in Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p with Ultra settings, reaching 274 fps with the RTX 4090, surpassing the 254 fps of the 9800X3D and 255 fps of the Core Ultra 9 285K. However, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with the Ultra preset and ray tracing disabled, it achieves 229 fps, slightly below the 9800X3D's 240 fps but still significantly faster than the Intel processor's 165 fps.
Overkill?
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is undoubtedly the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but it's not necessarily 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 users who not only game but also engage in creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For those focused solely on gaming, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be a wiser investment.
