The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, hot on the heels of its Ryzen 7 9800X3D sibling, brings 3D V-Cache technology to a 16-core, 32-thread powerhouse. While undeniably overkill for most, it effortlessly handles even the most demanding graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 and beyond. However, this immense power comes at a price – a hefty $699 and a 170W power draw, making it a tough sell unless you're building an exceptionally high-end (and expensive) gaming rig. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers superior value.
Purchasing Guide
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D launched March 12th, starting at $699. This is a suggested retail price; actual pricing may fluctuate based on market demand.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos
Specs and Features
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D leverages the same Zen 5 cores as the standard 9950X, enhanced by 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache, mirroring the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination delivers exceptional multi-core performance alongside boosted gaming capabilities thanks to the expanded cache. A key difference from its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, is the 3D V-Cache's placement directly beneath the CPU cores, not above. This seemingly minor alteration significantly improves thermal performance. The proximity to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) facilitates more efficient heat dissipation. AMD's performance algorithms leverage this improved thermal headroom, enabling faster, sustained clock speeds. This strategic cache placement also reduces data travel distance, minimizing latency. The 9950X3D boasts a generous 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache – identical to the previous generation Ryzen 9 7950X3D, but considerably more than any non-X3D processor.
Both the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, although the 9950X boasts a higher potential PPT. Testing revealed peak power consumption around 200W for both, but the 9950X3D exhibited lower peak temperatures (79°C during testing), though tested with a different cooler than the 9950X. Compatibility is ensured with any AM5 AMD motherboard, offering peace of mind with AMD's commitment to AM5 support until at least 2027.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks
Performance
All CPUs underwent testing on identical hardware, except for the Ryzen 9 9950X (tested on an Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard with a Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler). While this hardware difference might influence results, it’s unlikely to be significant, especially considering stock settings. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D's 16 cores, 32 threads, and massive 144MB cache translate to exceptional performance. It excels even in creative benchmarks where the 9800X3D lags, consistently matching top-tier processors. Surprisingly, the 9950X3D holds its own against the 9800X3D in single-core tasks. In Cinebench 1T, it achieves 2,254 points compared to the 9800X3D's 2,033 points (a 10% improvement). The 3DMark CPU Profile test yields 1,280 points, closely approaching the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 1,351 points. Multi-threaded performance is where the 9950X3D truly shines, scoring 40,747 points in Cinebench's multi-core test. While slightly underperforming the 9950X (41,123 points) and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (42,245 points) in some multi-threaded applications, the gaming performance gains justify this trade-off.
In *Total War: Warhammer 3* (1080p, Ultra), the 9950X3D delivers 274 fps with an RTX 4090, surpassing the 9800X3D (254 fps) and Core Ultra 9 285K (255 fps). However, *Cyberpunk 2077* (1080p, Ultra, ray tracing disabled) shows a less impressive 229 fps, down from the 9800X3D's 240 fps. Despite this, it significantly outperforms the Intel processor's 165 fps.
Overkill?
While the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D may be the current gaming CPU king, it's not a universal upgrade. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a much more affordable alternative ($479) that's sufficient for most users. The 9950X3D's true value lies in its appeal to users who combine gaming with demanding creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For pure gaming, investing the extra $220 in a superior graphics card might be a wiser choice.
