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

If you're considering an upgrade and are leaning towards AMD, now's an excellent time to make the switch. Earlier this year, AMD introduced the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and they've now expanded their Zen 5 "X3D" lineup with the higher-end Ryzen 9 models: the 9950X3D at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors are considered the top gaming chips available from both AMD and Intel. For dedicated gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the go-to choice, allowing you to allocate your budget elsewhere. However, if you're a creator with a larger budget and a passion for gaming, the Ryzen 9 processors offer significant performance boosts thanks to their higher core counts and cache.

Note: These processors are frequently in and out of stock, with more time spent out of stock unfortunately.

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 who also want the best gaming performance should look no further than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This CPU boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a whopping 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it only slightly outperforms the 9800X3D in gaming, it significantly outpaces both the 9800X3D and Intel's offerings in productivity tasks.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is currently the most powerful gaming processor available, but it's not necessarily the best choice for everyone. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, is more than sufficient for most users. The 9950X3D is ideal for those who both game and use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a pure gaming build, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be a smarter move."

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 optimized for gaming thanks to their 3D V-Cache technology. Since all three CPUs feature the 3D V-Cache on a single CCD, gaming performance is similar across the lineup, with minor differences due to clock speeds. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of handling multitasking and creative work, its core count makes it less ideal for those tasks. However, it's an exceptional choice for gaming at this price point.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it a top recommendation over other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes GPU performance, offering the best bang for your buck."

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 is the ideal choice for those who engage in creative work and 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. Although we haven't reviewed this model yet, its specs suggest it will offer performance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks, with gaming performance likely on par with the others.

AMD's Hot Streak with New CPUs and GPUs

If you've been waiting to see what AMD has to offer before investing in Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs, you've made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions, offering exceptional performance at competitive prices. The RX 9070 starts at $550, while the RX 9070 XT starts at $600, though prices may vary due to manufacturer adjustments. Check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review for detailed benchmarks.

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