AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review

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 just makes more sense.

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.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos

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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 found in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination ensures excellent multi-core performance alongside superior gaming capabilities due to an expanded cache.

Unlike its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the 3D V-Cache in the 9950X3D is positioned below the CPU cores, not above them. This seemingly minor change significantly improves thermal performance. The Core Complex Die (CCD), which generates most of the CPU's heat, is now closer to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS), allowing for better heat dissipation. This design also enables the processor to run faster and longer, thanks to AMD's performance algorithm that considers thermal headroom.

The strategic placement of the cache also reduces data travel distance, lowering latency. Additionally, the 9950X3D boasts a massive 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache, matching the last-generation Ryzen 9 7950X3D and surpassing non-X3D processors.

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

F fortunately, the 9950X3D is compatible with any AM5 AMD motherboard, as it doesn't require a new chipset. AMD has committed to supporting this socket until at least 2027, ensuring long-term platform viability.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks

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Performance

Before delving into performance results, it's important to note that all CPUs were tested on the same hardware, with one exception: the Ryzen 9 9950X, which was tested on an Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard with a Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler. This hardware difference may impact performance, but it's unlikely 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

This setup was altered due to a snapped mounting screw on the Asus ROG Ryujin III 360mm cooler during the switch to the 9950X. I plan to retest the processors in the coming weeks and will update this section if there are significant differences.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of 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 impressively 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, the 9950X3D achieves 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's 41,123 points and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 42,245 points, the trade-off is well worth it for the enhanced gaming performance.

In Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p with Ultra settings, the 9950X3D achieves 274 fps when paired with the RTX 4090, outperforming the 9800X3D's 254 fps and the Core Ultra 9 285K's 255 fps. However, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with the Ultra preset and ray tracing disabled, the 9950X3D delivers 229 fps, slightly less than the 9800X3D's 240 fps but still significantly faster than the 165 fps from the competing Intel processor.

Overkill?

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 Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a more affordable $479, is a better choice.

The 9950X3D is best suited 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 PC build, however, it might be wiser to save the extra $220 for a better graphics card.