AMD Zen 5 Gaming CPUs Restocked: 9950X3D, 9900X3D, 9800X3D Available Now

If you're considering upgrading to an AMD system, the timing couldn't be better. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which debuted earlier this year, has now been joined by its higher-end Ryzen 9 siblings in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D, priced at $699, and the 9900X3D, available for $599. These processors stand out as the top gaming chips when compared to both AMD and Intel offerings. For those focused purely on gaming, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the ideal choice, allowing you to allocate your budget elsewhere. However, if you're a creator with a passion for gaming and have a larger budget, the new Ryzen 9 processors will provide a significant performance boost, thanks to their higher core counts and increased cache.

Note: Processors are frequently in and out of stock, predominantly out of stock.

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 than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This processor boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a hefty 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it edges out the 9800X3D in gaming performance by just a few percentage points, it significantly outperforms other Zen 5 X3D chips and Intel's offerings in productivity tasks.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D might be the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but it's not necessarily the best choice for everyone. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, offers substantial performance at a more accessible price point. The 9950X3D is best suited for gamers who also engage in creative tasks like using Photoshop and Premiere, where it shows a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-focused build, consider saving the additional $220 for a superior graphics card."

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, optimized for gaming with AMD's 3D V-Cache technology, deliver consistent gaming performance across all three models due to the 3D V-cache being integrated into a single CCD. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D features a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of handling multitasking and creative tasks, its core count makes it less ideal for those workloads. However, at this price point, it's an exceptional choice for gamers.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is a powerhouse in gaming, making it a more compelling option than recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a high-performance graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes your gaming experience, offering the best performance for your GPU investment."

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 AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the perfect middle ground for those who engage in creative work and enjoy gaming but need to stay within a budget. It features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. While we haven't reviewed this model yet, its specifications suggest it will offer performance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. For gaming, expect performance comparable to its siblings.

AMD's Hot Streak with New CPUs and GPUs

If you've been holding off on purchasing Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD has to offer, you've made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards have emerged as the mid-range champions of this generation, delivering impressive performance at competitive prices. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, while the RX 9070 XT begins at $600, though some manufacturers are increasing these prices. For more detailed insights, check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review.

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