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

If you're considering an upgrade and thinking about joining the AMD bandwagon, now is a prime time to make the leap. Alongside the earlier release of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, AMD has just introduced two higher-end Ryzen 9 processors in its Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D, priced at $699, and the 9900X3D, available for $599. These processors are widely regarded as the top gaming chips on the market, surpassing even Intel's offerings. If you're primarily a gamer, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the way to go, allowing you to allocate your budget more flexibly. On the other hand, if you're a creator with a passion for gaming and deeper pockets, the Ryzen 9 processors will provide a significant performance boost, thanks to their higher core counts and increased cache.

Note: Be aware that these processors frequently go in and out of stock, and unfortunately, they are mostly 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

For creative professionals who also demand the best in gaming performance, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the ultimate choice. Boasting a max boost clock of 5.7GHz with 16 cores, 32 threads, and a whopping 144MB of L2-L3 cache, this processor is a powerhouse. While it only marginally outperforms the 9800X3D in gaming, it excels in productivity tasks, outshining not only its Zen 5 X3D siblings but also anything Intel has to offer.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a formidable force in the gaming world, yet it doesn't automatically eclipse every other processor. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a much more affordable $479, will suffice for most users. The 9950X3D, however, is tailored for gamers who also engage in creative tasks like using Photoshop or Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-only build, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be the 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 the innovative 3D V-Cache technology. Although all three CPUs share the same V-Cache on a single CCD, the slight differences in gaming performance are primarily due to variations in clock speed. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, with a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache, is a beast for gaming at this price point. While it can handle multitasking, rendering, and creative work, its core count limits its effectiveness for these tasks.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is a powerhouse in gaming, making it a more compelling choice than recent competitors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. If you're pairing it with a high-end graphics card, the 9800X3D will maximize your GPU's 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 AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the ideal choice for those who engage in creative work and enjoy gaming but need to stick to a budget. With a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache, it strikes a balance between performance and cost. Although we haven't reviewed this processor yet, its specs suggest it will fall between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in terms of productivity and multi-core workloads, with gaming performance likely to be on par with its siblings.

AMD is on a Hot Streak with its New CPUs and GPUs

If you held off on purchasing 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 exceptional performance at a lower cost 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. Check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review for detailed benchmarks.

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