If you're considering upgrading to AMD's latest offerings, the timing couldn't be better. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which debuted earlier this year, AMD has released its higher-end Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" series: the 9950X3D at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors are currently the top gaming chips available, outshining even Intel's offerings. Pure gamers should opt for the 9800X3D and allocate their savings elsewhere, while creators with a gaming passion and deeper pockets will appreciate the enhanced performance of the Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their higher core count and increased cache.

Note: Be aware that these processors are frequently in and out of stock, and mostly 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 seek the best gaming chip on the market should not hesitate; this is the CPU to choose. The new 9950X3D features a max boost clock of 5.7GHz with 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While its gaming performance is just a few percentage points better than the 9800X3D, it significantly outperforms both other Zen 5 X3D chips and any Intel offerings in productivity tasks.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D might be the most powerful gaming processor available, but it doesn't automatically outperform every other chip on the market. Most users will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a more affordable $479, perfectly suitable. The 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also use creative apps like Photoshop and Premiere, offering a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. However, for a gaming-focused PC build, 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 remains similar across the lineup, with minor variations due to clock speeds. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.2GHz with 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. Though capable of handling multitasking, rendering, and creative work, its limited core count makes it less ideal for those tasks. However, it's an exceptional choice for gaming, especially at this price point.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers outstanding performance in games, making it an easier recommendation than other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes the performance of your chosen GPU."

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 perfect choice for those who engage in creative work and enjoy gaming, yet need to stay within a budget that the 9950X3D exceeds. The 9900X3D boasts a max boost clock of 5.5GHz with 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. Although we haven't reviewed this model yet, its specs suggest it will offer performance between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In gaming, it should perform comparably to the other two models.

AMD is on a Hot Streak with Its New CPUs and GPUs

If you've held off on purchasing Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to evaluate AMD's new releases, you've made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions of this generation, offering superior 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 vary 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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