AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Performance Reviewed

Just a few months after the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D made its debut, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D has arrived, bringing its 3D V-Cache technology to a 16-core, 32-thread gaming processor. This powerhouse is designed to keep up with high-end graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 or future models. While it's undoubtedly overkill for most users, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D offers unparalleled performance for those building the ultimate gaming rig.

However, with a hefty price tag of $699 and a 170W power budget, this processor is a challenging recommendation for anyone not already investing in a top-tier, expensive gaming PC. For most gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains a more sensible choice.

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 processor prices can vary based on market demand.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos

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Specs and Features

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D leverages the Zen 5 cores from the standard 9950X, enhanced with the 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache technology introduced in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination ensures excellent multi-core performance alongside superior gaming capabilities, thanks to increased cache capacity.

A significant improvement over its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, is the new placement of the 3D V-Cache directly below the CPU cores. This design change not only enhances thermal performance by allowing better heat dissipation through the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) but also reduces latency due to shorter data travel distances. With 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D maintains the high cache levels of its last-generation counterpart, far surpassing non-X3D processors.

Both the Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, though the original 9950X has a higher potential PPT. Testing showed both CPUs peaking at 200W, but the 9950X3D exhibited a lower peak temperature of 79°C, thanks to different cooling.

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is compatible with any AM5 AMD motherboard, and AMD has confirmed support for this socket until at least 2027, ensuring long-term platform viability.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks

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Performance

All CPUs were tested on identical hardware, except for the Ryzen 9 9950X, which used an Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard and a Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler due to a hardware issue. While this may affect results slightly, the impact is minimal 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

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of cache, delivers exceptional performance. In creative benchmarks, it matches the most powerful chips available, and even in areas where the 9800X3D lagged, the 9950X3D excels.

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

Surprisingly, the 9950X3D performs well against the 9800X3D in single-core workloads. In Cinebench 1T, it scores 2,254 points compared to 2,033 points for the 9800X3D, a 10% improvement. In the 3DMark CPU Profile test, it achieves 1,280 points, nearly matching 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 slightly underperforms compared to the 9950X (41,123 points) and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (42,245 points), the trade-off is justified by enhanced gaming performance.

In Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p with Ultra settings, the 9950X3D achieves 274 fps with an RTX 4090, outperforming the 9800X3D (254 fps) and the Core Ultra 9 285K (255 fps). However, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with the Ultra preset and ray tracing disabled, it delivers 229 fps, slightly below the 9800X3D's 240 fps but significantly ahead of the Intel processor's 165 fps.

Overkill?

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the most powerful gaming processor currently available, yet it may not be the best choice for everyone. For most gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, offers a more cost-effective solution.

The 9950X3D is ideal for users who engage in both gaming and creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. However, for those focused solely on gaming, saving the extra $220 to invest in a better graphics card might be the wiser choice.