If you're contemplating joining the AMD community with your next upgrade, the timing couldn't be better. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which made its debut earlier this year, AMD has now released 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 are currently the top contenders for gaming performance, outshining offerings from both Intel and AMD. For those primarily focused on gaming, the 9800X3D is the most cost-effective choice, allowing you to allocate your budget elsewhere. However, creators with a bit more to spend and an interest in gaming will find the new Ryzen 9 processors incredibly beneficial, thanks to their enhanced core count and cache, providing a significant performance boost.

Note: Processors are frequently in and out of stock, with more time spent out of stock.

The Creator's Choice: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU

### AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D AM5 Desktop Processor

0$699.00 at Amazon$699.00 at Best Buy$699.00 at NeweggCreative professionals who also seek the pinnacle of gaming performance need look no further; the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the CPU for you. This powerhouse boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz with 16 cores, 32 threads, and a whopping 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only a slight edge in gaming performance over the 9800X3D, it significantly outpaces both the 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 formidable gaming processor on the market, but it's not the ultimate solution for every user. Most gamers will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a more accessible $479, perfectly sufficient. The 9950X3D, however, is tailored for those who not only game but also use demanding creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a pure gaming setup, consider saving the additional $220 to invest in a superior graphics card."

The Gamer's Choice: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU

### AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 Desktop Processor

13$479.00 at Amazon$479.00 at Best Buy$479.00 at NeweggAMD's X3D series processors are optimized for gaming, thanks to AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. Since all three CPUs feature the 3D V-cache on a single CCD, gaming performance is largely similar across the lineup, with minor variations mostly due to differences in clock speed. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.2GHz with 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While it can handle multitasking, rendering, and creative tasks, its core count makes it less ideal for these purposes. However, for gaming, it's an exceptional choice, especially at its price point.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming performance, making it a more compelling choice than other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. If you're assembling a rig with a high-end graphics card, the 9800X3D is the best way to maximize your GPU's potential."

The Middleman: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU

### AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D AM5 Desktop Processor

0$599.00 at Amazon$599.00 at Best Buy$599.00 at NeweggThe AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the middle ground for those who engage in creative work and enjoy gaming but need to stick to a budget. This CPU features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz with 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. Although we haven't reviewed this chip yet, its specs suggest performance that falls between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In terms of gaming, expect performance comparable to the other two chips.

AMD is on a hot streak with its new CPUs and GPUs

If you held off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD had to offer, you made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions, delivering outstanding performance at a more competitive price than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT at $600, though prices may vary due to manufacturer adjustments. For more details, check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review.

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