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

If you're considering upgrading to an AMD processor, now is an excellent time to do so. Earlier this year, AMD introduced the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and they have now expanded their Zen 5 "X3D" lineup with two higher-end Ryzen 9 models: the 9950X3D priced at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors stand out as the top gaming chips available from both AMD and Intel. For dedicated gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers fantastic performance at a more budget-friendly price, allowing you to allocate funds elsewhere. However, if you're a creator with a gaming hobby and a larger budget, the new Ryzen 9 processors provide a significant performance boost due to their increased core count and cache.

Note: Be aware that these processors are frequently in and out of stock, with more instances of being 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 seeking the best gaming chip on the market should consider the Ryzen 9 9950X3D without hesitation. This processor features a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a hefty 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only a marginal improvement in gaming performance compared to the 9800X3D, 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, yet it doesn't automatically outperform every other chip in every scenario. For many, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, provides more than enough performance. The 9950X3D, however, is ideal for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance increase over the 9800X3D. If you're building a pure gaming PC, consider saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card."

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 their 3D V-Cache technology. Since all three CPUs utilize a single CCD with 3D V-cache, gaming performance is similar across the lineup, with minor variations due to clock speed differences. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D features a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While capable of handling multitasking, rendering, and creative tasks, it's the limited number of cores that makes it less ideal for those activities. However, for gaming, especially at this price point, it's a powerhouse.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming performance, 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 your gaming 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 choice for those engaged in creative work and gaming but need to stick to a budget that doesn't stretch to the 9950X3D. It features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. Although we haven't reviewed this chip yet, its specs suggest it will offer performance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In gaming, we expect it to be on par with the other two.

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 in store, you made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are now the mid-range champions of this generation. These graphics cards deliver exceptional performance at a lower price point than their Nvidia counterparts. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT at $600, though some manufacturers are increasing prices. Check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review for detailed benchmarks.

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