Just a few months after the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D made its debut, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D steps onto the scene, bringing its 3D V-Cache technology to a 16-core, 32-thread gaming processor. While this might be overkill for the average user, it's perfectly suited to handle the demands of high-end graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 or its successors.

However, with a hefty price tag of $699 and a power consumption of 170W, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a challenging recommendation for anyone not building an ultra-powerful, high-cost gaming PC. For most, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a more balanced and cost-effective solution.

Purchasing Guide

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D becomes available starting March 12, with a suggested retail price of $699. Keep in mind, the price may vary due to market demand and fluctuations.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos

3 Images

Specs and Features

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D leverages the same Zen 5 cores as the standard 9950X but enhances them with the second-generation 3D V-Cache, similar to what's found in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination delivers stellar multi-core performance alongside superior gaming capabilities due to the expanded cache.

A key difference from its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, is the placement of the 3D V-Cache beneath the CPU cores rather than above them. This seemingly minor tweak significantly improves thermal performance. By situating the Core Complex Die (CCD) closer to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS), heat dissipation is enhanced, allowing the Ryzen 9 9950X3D to maintain higher speeds for longer periods. Furthermore, this strategic placement reduces data travel distance, lowering latency, and accommodates a substantial 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache.

Both the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, though the original 9950X can reach a higher PPT. In testing, both CPUs peaked at 200W, but the 9950X3D maintained a cooler peak temperature of 79°C, tested on a different cooler. Notably, the 9950X3D is compatible with existing AM5 AMD motherboards, with AMD committing to support this socket until at least 2027, ensuring longevity and upgradability.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks

11 Images

Performance

Before diving into performance metrics, it's important to note that all CPUs were tested on identical 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 hardware variance might affect results, the impact is minimal, especially 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 cache, delivers exceptional performance. Even in creative benchmarks, where the 9800X3D struggled, the 9950X3D keeps pace with top-tier processors.

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 Ryzen 9 9950X3D excels in single-core workloads, outperforming the 9800X3D by 10% in Cinebench 1T (2,254 vs. 2,033 points) and nearly matching the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K in the 3DMark CPU Profile test (1,280 vs. 1,351 points). In multi-threaded workloads, it scores 40,747 points in Cinebench's multi-core test, slightly behind the 9950X and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K but still delivering robust performance.

In gaming, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D shines, achieving 274 fps in Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p with Ultra settings, surpassing both 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 falls short at 229 fps compared to the 9800X3D's 240 fps, though it still outperforms the Intel counterpart at 165 fps.

Overkill?

While the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is undoubtedly one of the most powerful gaming processors available, it's not the best choice for everyone. For most gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, provides a more affordable yet capable alternative.

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is ideal for users who not only game but also engage in creative work like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For those focused solely on gaming, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be the smarter move.