If you're considering an upgrade to AMD's latest hardware, there’s no better time to make the switch. Alongside the already impressive Ryzen 7 9800X3D released earlier this year, AMD has just launched its higher-tier Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the Ryzen 9 9950X3D priced at $699 and the Ryzen 9 9900X3D available for $599. Together, these processors offer some of the best performance currently available for both gaming and productivity workloads. Gamers focused purely on frame rates should stick with the more affordable 9800X3D and invest in a stronger GPU, while content creators who also enjoy high-end gaming will benefit from the added cores and cache found in the Ryzen 9 series.
Note: These CPUs are frequently going out of stock—availability is 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
For creative professionals who demand top-tier performance in both gaming and productivity, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the ideal choice. This powerhouse CPU features a maximum boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only marginal gaming improvements over the 9800X3D, its multi-threaded performance significantly outpaces both the other X3D chips and any competing Intel offerings.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is among the most powerful processors available today, especially for multitasking and creative workflows. However, for pure gaming builds, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D at $479 offers nearly identical gaming performance at a much better price. The 9950X3D truly shines when used alongside applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro, where it delivers up to 15% better performance compared to the 9800X3D. If your budget allows and you’re into both heavy creation and competitive esports titles, this chip is worth every penny."
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
The entire X3D lineup benefits from AMD’s innovative 3D V-Cache technology, which enhances gaming performance across the board. Since all three CPUs use the same 3D V-cache architecture on a single CCD, their gaming performance remains largely consistent, with minor differences due to clock speeds. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D runs at a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, offering 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of combined L2-L3 cache. While capable of handling multitasking and light creative tasks, its core count makes it best suited for gaming-focused builds. At this price point, it's one of the strongest gaming CPUs available.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers outstanding performance in games, making it a far easier recommendation than alternatives like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. If you're building a system around a high-end graphics card, this processor ensures optimal utilization of your GPU for the smoothest possible gameplay experience."
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
For users balancing creative workloads with gaming on a tighter budget, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D strikes a compelling middle ground between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D. It offers a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. While we haven’t tested it yet, based on specs alone, it should deliver strong multi-core performance and near-identical gaming results to its siblings.
AMD Is Delivering Strong Performance Across CPUs and GPUs
AMD is clearly on a roll with its latest wave of CPUs and GPUs. If you held off on purchasing Nvidia's Blackwell series GPUs to see what AMD had to offer, you made a smart move. The new Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT have emerged as standout mid-range options this generation, delivering excellent performance while undercutting their competition in price. The RX 9070 starts at $550, and the RX 9070 XT begins at $600 (though some manufacturers are increasing the price). For benchmark insights, check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review.
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