AMD Zen 5 Gaming CPUs Restocked: 9950X3D, 9900X3D, 9800X3D Now Available

If you're considering upgrading to an AMD processor, the timing couldn't be better. AMD's latest Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which was released earlier this year, is now joined by the higher-end Ryzen 9 siblings in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D, priced at $699, and the 9900X3D, available for $599. These processors stand out as the top gaming chips on the market, surpassing even Intel's offerings. For pure gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers excellent value, allowing you to allocate your budget elsewhere. However, if you're a creator with a larger budget and a passion for gaming, the Ryzen 9 processors provide a significant performance boost thanks to their higher core count and increased cache.

Note: Due to high demand, these processors are frequently 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 crave top-tier gaming performance should look no further than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This powerhouse boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it edges out the 9800X3D in gaming by just a few percentage points, it significantly outperforms in productivity tasks, surpassing both its Zen 5 X3D siblings and Intel's offerings.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D may be the most powerful gaming processor available, but it's not necessarily the best choice for everyone. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a more affordable $479, is more than sufficient for most gamers. The 9950X3D shines for those who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-focused build, however, you might want to save 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 their 3D V-Cache technology. All three CPUs in this series have the 3D V-cache on a single CCD, resulting in similar gaming performance across the board. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, with its max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache, is a gaming beast at this price point. While capable of handling multitasking and creative tasks, its core count limits its prowess in these areas compared to higher-end models.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it a top recommendation over competitors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a high-end graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes your gaming performance, making it the ideal choice for gaming enthusiasts."

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 strikes a balance between performance and price, ideal for creators and gamers on a budget. With a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache, it offers a middle ground between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D. While we haven't reviewed it yet, its specs suggest strong performance in productivity tasks and multi-core workloads, with gaming performance likely on par with its siblings.

AMD's Hot Streak with New CPUs and GPUs

If you've been waiting to see what AMD has to offer before committing to Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs, you've made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are the new mid-range champions, offering stellar performance at a more affordable price. The Radeon RX 9070 starts at $550, and the 9070 XT at $600, though prices may vary due to manufacturer adjustments. For detailed benchmarks, check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review.

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