Considering an AMD upgrade? Now's the perfect time. Following the Ryzen 7 9800X3D's debut, AMD has launched its top-tier Ryzen 9 siblings, the 9950X3D ($699) and 9900X3D ($599), both boasting Zen 5 "X3D" architecture. These processors represent the pinnacle of gaming performance across both AMD and Intel. Gamers prioritizing pure performance should opt for the 9800X3D and allocate budget elsewhere; however, creators needing high-end gaming capabilities will find the Ryzen 9 processors' increased core count and cache significantly beneficial.

**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 top-tier gaming performance 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 only marginally outperforming the 9800X3D in gaming, its productivity capabilities far surpass the other Zen 5 X3D chips and all Intel competitors.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D may be the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but it doesn't automatically dominate every scenario. The more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D ($479) is perfectly suitable for most users. The 9950X3D shines for gamers who also use creative apps like Photoshop and Premiere, offering a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D in such applications. For pure gaming, 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 leverages 3D V-Cache technology for gaming optimization. All three CPUs share this technology on a single CCD, resulting in similar gaming performance; 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 creation, its core count limits its suitability for demanding creative tasks. However, it's exceptionally strong for gaming, particularly at its price point.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas:

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers exceptional gaming performance, making it more readily recommendable than alternatives like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a powerful 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 users balancing creative work and gaming within a budget. It offers a 5.5GHz max boost clock, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. While not yet reviewed, its performance is anticipated to fall between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. Gaming performance is expected to be comparable to the other two.

AMD's Hot Streak with CPUs and GPUs

Those who waited for AMD's response to Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs made a smart choice. The Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are leading mid-range contenders, offering exceptional performance at lower prices than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT starts at $600 (though pricing may vary). See our Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT reviews for benchmarks.

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