Planning your next PC upgrade and considering AMD? Now's the perfect time. Following the Ryzen 7 9800X3D's earlier release, AMD has launched its top-tier Ryzen 9 siblings—the 9950X3D ($699) and 9900X3D ($599)—both boasting Zen 5 "X3D" architecture. These processors collectively represent the pinnacle of gaming performance across both AMD and Intel. While the 9800X3D remains the ideal choice for pure gamers seeking optimal value, creators with more substantial budgets and a love for gaming will appreciate the significant performance boost offered by the Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their increased core counts and generous cache.
Note: Processor availability 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 ultimate gaming chip 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 offering only a slight gaming performance edge over the 9800X3D, its productivity capabilities significantly surpass both the 9800X3D and 9900X3D, and indeed, anything Intel currently offers.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D might be the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but that doesn't automatically make it superior in every scenario. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, significantly more affordable at $479, is perfectly adequate for most users. The 9950X3D shines for gamers who also utilize creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, delivering a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D in those tasks. For pure gaming builds, however, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card is likely 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 processors are gaming-optimized, leveraging AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. All three CPUs share this 3D V-cache on a single CCD, resulting in comparable 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 demanding professional 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 those who balance creative work and gaming but need to stay within a tighter budget than the 9950X3D allows. It boasts a 5.5GHz max boost clock, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. While we haven't yet reviewed this chip, its specifications suggest performance falling between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity and multi-core workloads. Gaming performance is expected to be comparable 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 AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are the new mid-range champions, delivering exceptional performance at lower prices than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT starts at $600 (though price increases from manufacturers are emerging). Check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review for benchmark results.
Why Trust IGN's Deals Team?
IGN's deals team boasts over 30 years of combined experience in uncovering the best discounts across gaming, tech, and various other categories. We prioritize honest recommendations, focusing on genuine value and trusted brands we have personal experience with. For details on our process, please refer to our deals standards. Follow us on Twitter (@IGNDeals) for the latest deals.
