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 that's absolutely overkill for most people. However, it will have no problem keeping up with powerful graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 or whatever comes next. With its high $699 asking price and a 170W power budget, this processor is hard to recommend to anyone who isn't already building an incredibly powerful (and expensive) gaming PC. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D makes more sense due to its better value proposition.
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 processors can fluctuate in value depending on demand, so it's wise to monitor prices closely.
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 new 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache, similar to what's found in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination ensures excellent multi-core performance alongside improved gaming capabilities due to a larger cache.
Unlike its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the 3D V-Cache in the 9950X3D is positioned below the CPU cores, which significantly improves thermal performance. The Core Complex Die (CCD), the primary heat source, is now closer to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS), allowing for better heat dissipation. This design not only helps in maintaining lower temperatures but also reduces latency by shortening the data travel distance. The 9950X3D boasts a massive 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache, matching the last-generation Ryzen 9 7950X3D and surpassing 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. Importantly, the 9950X3D is compatible with any AM5 AMD motherboard, with AMD promising support for 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, with one exception: the Ryzen 9 9950X, which was tested on an Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard with a Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler. This hardware difference may impact performance, but it's unlikely to be significant, especially since all tests were conducted at stock settings.
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB cache, delivers exceptional performance. In creative benchmarks where the 9800X3D lagged, the 9950X3D keeps pace with the most powerful chips available.
Surprisingly, the 9950X3D also excels in single-core workloads compared to the 9800X3D. In Cinebench 1T, it scores 2,254 points, a 10% improvement over the 9800X3D's 2,033 points. In the 3DMark CPU Profile test, the 9950X3D achieves 1,280 points, closely trailing the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 1,351 points.
In multi-threaded workloads, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D shines, scoring 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 well worth it for the enhanced gaming performance.
In gaming benchmarks, the 9950X3D performs admirably. In Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p with Ultra settings, it achieves 274 fps when paired with the RTX 4090, outperforming the 9800X3D's 254 fps and the Core Ultra 9 285K's 255 fps. However, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with the Ultra preset and ray tracing disabled, it delivers 229 fps, slightly below the 9800X3D's 240 fps but still significantly faster than the 165 fps from the competing Intel processor.
Overkill?
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D might be the most powerful gaming processor on the market, but it's not necessarily the best choice for everyone. Most users will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, more than sufficient for their needs. The 9950X3D is best suited for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a pure gaming PC build, however, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be a wiser investment.
