If you're considering upgrading to AMD, now is an excellent time to do so. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which debuted earlier this year, AMD has released two higher-end Ryzen 9 models 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 from both Intel and AMD. Pure gamers should opt for the 9800X3D and allocate their funds elsewhere, while creators with deeper pockets and a penchant for gaming will benefit immensely from the new Ryzen 9 processors due to their increased core count and cache.

Note: Processors are frequently going in and out of stock, with more time spent 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 also crave the best gaming performance should look no further than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This powerhouse boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz with 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it only slightly outperforms the 9800X3D in gaming, it significantly excels in productivity tasks, outshining both other Zen 5 X3D chips and Intel's offerings.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D may be the most powerful gaming processor currently available, but it doesn't automatically outperform every other chip on the market. For most users, the more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D at $479 will suffice. The 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a pure gaming setup, 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 AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. Since all three CPUs feature the 3D V-cache on a single CCD, gaming performance is roughly equivalent across them, with minor differences attributed to clock speed variations. 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, especially at its price point. While it can handle multitasking, rendering, and creative tasks, its core count limits its suitability for these roles.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is exceptionally powerful for gaming, making it a more compelling choice than other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. Pairing it with a high-end graphics card will maximize 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 perfect for those involved in creative work and gaming but who need to stick to a budget that the 9950X3D exceeds. With a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache, its performance in productivity and multi-core workloads is expected to fall between that of the 9950X3D and 9800X3D. For gaming, it should perform similarly to the other two.

AMD's Hot Streak with New CPUs and GPUs

If you've been holding off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD brings to the table, you've made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards have emerged as the new mid-range champions. Offering exceptional performance at a lower price than their Nvidia counterparts, the Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550 and the 9070 XT at $600 (though prices may be rising 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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