AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Performance Unveiled

Just a few months after the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D hit the market, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D has arrived, bringing its 3D V-Cache technology to a formidable 16-core, 32-thread gaming processor. This powerhouse is designed to keep pace with top-tier graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 or future releases, offering unparalleled performance for those who demand the best.

However, the high performance comes at a steep price of $699 and a 170W power budget, making the Ryzen 9 9950X3D a challenging recommendation for anyone not building a high-end gaming PC. For most users, the more budget-friendly 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 same Zen 5 cores as the standard 9950X but enhances them with the second-generation 3D V-Cache, similar to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination ensures excellent multi-core performance and improved gaming capabilities due to increased cache size.

A key innovation in the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the positioning of the 3D V-Cache directly below the CPU cores, rather than above them as in its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D. This subtle change significantly enhances thermal performance. The proximity of the Core Complex Die (CCD) to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) allows for better heat dissipation, enabling the processor to maintain higher performance levels for longer periods.

Moreover, the new cache placement reduces data travel distance, lowering latency. The 9950X3D boasts a hefty 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache, matching the previous generation but still far surpassing non-X3D models.

Both the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, though the standard 9950X can potentially reach a higher Package Power Tracking (PPT). In testing, both processors peaked at around 200W, but the 9950X3D exhibited a lower peak temperature of 79°C, thanks to a different cooling setup.

Compatibility is not an issue as the 9950X3D works with any AM5 AMD motherboard, and 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

All CPUs were tested on consistent 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. This variation in hardware could impact performance slightly, though 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

A note on the testing setup: One of the mounting screws for the Asus ROG Ryujin III 360mm cooler snapped during the switch to the 9950X. I plan to retest the processors and update this section if there are significant changes.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of cache, delivers exceptional performance. It excels not only in gaming but also in creative benchmarks, where it surpasses the Ryzen 7 9800X3D's performance.

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 Ryzen 9 9950X3D also shows impressive results in single-core workloads. For instance, in Cinebench 1T, it scores 2,254 points, a 10% improvement over the 9800X3D's 2,033 points. In the 3DMark CPU Profile test, it achieves 1,280 points, closely trailing the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 1,351 points.

In multi-threaded workloads, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D scores 40,747 points in Cinebench's multi-core test, slightly behind the 9950X and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K but offering a notable boost in gaming performance.

In gaming benchmarks, the 9950X3D shines. In Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p with Ultra settings, it achieves 274 fps, 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, it delivers 229 fps, slightly below the 9800X3D's 240 fps but still significantly ahead of the Intel processor's 165 fps.

Overkill?

While the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D stands as the most powerful gaming processor currently available, it's not necessarily the best choice for everyone. For most gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D at $479 offers a more cost-effective solution.

The 9950X3D is best suited for users who both game and use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-focused build, however, investing the $220 price difference into a superior graphics card might yield better results.