Just a few months after the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D graced us with its presence, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D brings its 3D V-Cache technology to a 16-core, 32-thread gaming processor that's absolutely overkill for most people. However, it will have no problem keeping up with powerful graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 or whatever comes next. With its high $699 asking price and a 170W power budget, this processor is hard to recommend to anyone who isn't already building an incredibly powerful (and expensive) gaming PC. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D makes more sense due to its better value proposition.

Purchasing Guide

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D will be available starting March 12, with a suggested retail price of $699. Keep in mind that AMD's processors can fluctuate in value depending on demand, so it's wise to monitor prices closely before making a purchase.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos

3 Images

Specs and Features

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D leverages the same Zen 5 cores as the regular 9950X but enhances them with the new 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache, similar to what's found in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination ensures excellent multi-core performance alongside improved gaming capabilities due to a larger cache.

Unlike its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the 3D V-Cache in the 9950X3D is positioned below the CPU cores, which significantly improves thermal performance. The Core Complex Die (CCD), the primary heat source, is now closer to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS), allowing for better heat dissipation. This design not only helps in maintaining lower temperatures but also enables the processor to run faster for longer periods, thanks to AMD's performance algorithm that considers thermal headroom.

The strategic placement of the cache also reduces data travel distance, lowering latency. With a total of 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache, the 9950X3D matches the cache size of the last-generation Ryzen 9 7950X3D, offering a substantial advantage over non-X3D processors.

Both the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, though the original 9950X can reach a higher potential PPT. In testing, both processors peaked at 200W, but the 9950X3D maintained a lower peak temperature of 79°C, thanks to being tested on a different cooler.

Compatibility is not an issue as the 9950X3D works with any AM5 AMD motherboard. AMD has committed to supporting this socket until at least 2027, ensuring long-term platform viability.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks

11 Images

Performance

Before delving into performance results, it's important to note that all CPUs were tested on the same hardware, with the exception of the Ryzen 9 9950X, which was tested on an Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard with a Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler. While this difference in hardware may impact performance, it's not expected to be significant, especially since all tests were conducted at stock settings.

AMD Test Bench:

• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
• Motherboard: Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero; Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Hero (9800X3D)
• RAM: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo @ 6,000MHz
• SSD: 1TB PNY CS3140 Gen4x4 NVMe SSD
• CPU Cooler: Asus ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB Extreme

Note: A hardware issue occurred when swapping to the 9950X, causing a delay in retesting. Updates will be provided if significant differences are found.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB cache, delivers exceptional performance. Even in creative benchmarks where the 9800X3D lagged, the 9950X3D keeps pace with the most powerful chips available.

Intel Test Bench:

• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
• Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus Z890 Hero (200S); Asus Prime Z790-A (14th-Gen)
• RAM: 32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 @ 6,000MHz
• SSD: PNY CS3140 1TB Gen 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
• CPU Cooler: Asus ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB Extreme

The 9950X3D performs admirably in single-core workloads, achieving a 10% improvement over the 9800X3D in Cinebench 1T, scoring 2,254 points compared to 2,033. In the 3DMark CPU Profile test, it scores 1,280 points, closely trailing the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 1,351 points.

In multi-threaded workloads, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D shines, scoring 40,747 points in Cinebench's multi-core test. While it falls slightly short of the 9950X and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K in top-end multi-threaded performance, the trade-off is well worth it for the enhanced gaming capabilities.

In gaming benchmarks, the 9950X3D excels in Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p with Ultra settings, achieving 274 fps with the RTX 4090, surpassing the 254 fps of the 9800X3D and 255 fps of the Core Ultra 9 285K. However, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with the Ultra preset and ray tracing disabled, it delivers 229 fps, slightly less than the 240 fps of the 9800X3D but still significantly faster than the 165 fps of the competing Intel processor.

Overkill?

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D may be the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but it's not necessarily the best choice for everyone. Most users will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, more than sufficient for their needs.

The 9950X3D is best suited for gamers who also engage in creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For those building a pure gaming PC, saving the extra $220 to invest in a better graphics card might be a more prudent decision.