If you're considering upgrading to AMD, now is the perfect time. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which debuted earlier this year, AMD has released its higher-end Ryzen 9 siblings in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D priced at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors stand out as the top gaming chips available, surpassing even Intel's offerings. Pure gamers should opt for the 9800X3D to allocate their budget elsewhere, while creators who also enjoy gaming will appreciate the significant performance boost provided by the Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their increased core count and cache.
Note: Be aware that these processors are frequently 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
Creative professionals who demand the best gaming chip on the market need look no further; this is the CPU for you. The new 9950X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.7GHz with 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it's only marginally better than the 9800X3D for gaming, it significantly outperforms 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 that doesn't mean it's the best choice for everyone. Most users will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which is significantly more affordable at $479, more than sufficient. The 9950X3D is best suited for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a purely gaming-focused build, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be wiser."
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 AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. With all three CPUs featuring 3D V-cache on a single CCD, gaming performance is roughly the same across the lineup, with minor variations due to clock speed differences. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.2GHz with 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of multitasking, rendering, and content creation, its limited core count makes it less ideal for those tasks. However, for gaming, especially at this price point, it's an exceptional choice.
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 unparalleled gaming experiences."
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 ideal for those who engage in creative work and gaming but need to stick to a budget. The 9900X3D features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz with 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. While we haven't reviewed this chip yet, its specs suggest it will perform between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D in productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. For gaming, it should be comparable to the other two.
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 smart move. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards have emerged as the mid-range champions of this generation. Both deliver outstanding performance at a lower price than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT at $600, although 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.
Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?
IGN's deals team boasts over 30 years of collective experience in uncovering the best discounts in gaming, technology, and beyond. We prioritize transparency and value, ensuring our readers find deals on trusted brands that our editorial team has personally tested. Learn more about our deals standards here, or follow the latest updates on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.
