AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review

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. Despite its impressive capabilities, the high $699 price tag and a 170W power budget make this processor a challenging recommendation for anyone not building an incredibly powerful and expensive gaming PC. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains a more sensible 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 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 new 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache, similar to that 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, not above them. This seemingly minor adjustment significantly improves thermal performance. With the Core Complex Die (CCD) generating most of the CPU's heat, its proximity to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) allows for better heat dissipation. This, coupled with AMD's performance algorithm that considers thermal headroom, enables the Ryzen 9 9950X3D to operate at higher speeds for longer periods.

The strategic placement of the cache also reduces data travel distance, lowering latency. Additionally, the increased cache space allows for a total of 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.

F fortunately, the 9950X3D is compatible with any AM5 AMD motherboard, as it doesn't require a new chipset. 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, 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.

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

The difference in hardware was due to a mounting screw issue with the Asus ROG Ryujin III 360mm cooler during the switch to the 9950X. I plan to retest the processors in the coming weeks and will update this section if there are significant changes.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB cache, delivers exceptional performance. Even in creative benchmarks where the 9800X3D lagged, the 9950X3D keeps pace with 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

Surprisingly, the 9950X3D performs well against the 9800X3D in single-core workloads. In Cinebench 1T, it scores 2,254 points compared to 2,033 points for the 9800X3D, a 10% improvement. 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 excels, scoring 40,747 points in Cinebench's multi-core test. While it slightly underperforms compared to the 9950X (41,123 points) and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (42,245 points), the trade-off is justified by its enhanced gaming performance.

In Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p with Ultra settings, the 9950X3D achieves 274 fps when paired with the RTX 4090, outperforming the 9800X3D (254 fps) and the Core Ultra 9 285K (255 fps). However, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with the Ultra preset and ray tracing disabled, it delivers 229 fps, slightly less than the 9800X3D's 240 fps but still significantly faster than the Intel processor's 165 fps.

Overkill?

While the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is currently the most powerful gaming processor on the market, it's not necessarily the best choice for everyone. Most users will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a more affordable $479, perfectly adequate.

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.