AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Performance Reviewed

Just a few months after the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D graced the market, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D has arrived, bringing its advanced 3D V-Cache technology to a formidable 16-core, 32-thread gaming processor. This powerhouse is designed to pair seamlessly with top-tier graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 or future equivalents, making it a beast in gaming performance. However, with a steep price tag of $699 and a 170W power budget, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is best suited for those building an exceptionally powerful and costly gaming PC. For the majority of users, the more budget-friendly Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains a more practical 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 prices can fluctuate based on market demand, so it's wise to monitor for the best deals.

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, enhanced by the 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache technology seen in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination ensures exceptional multi-core performance alongside superior gaming capabilities, thanks to an expansive cache.

A key design change from its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, is the placement of the 3D V-Cache below the CPU cores, rather than above. This seemingly minor tweak significantly boosts thermal performance. With the Core Complex Die (CCD) positioned closer to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS), heat dissipation is improved, allowing for sustained high performance due to AMD's thermally aware algorithms.

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

Both the Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, though the original 9950X can reach a higher Peak Power Target (PPT). In testing, both hit a peak of 200W, but the 9950X3D maintained a lower peak temperature of 79°C, thanks to different cooling setups.

Compatibility with existing AM5 motherboards is a plus, with AMD confirming support for this socket until at least 2027, ensuring future-proofing.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks

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Performance

Performance testing was conducted on consistent hardware across CPUs, with the exception of the Ryzen 9 9950X, which used a different motherboard and cooler. This slight variation should not significantly impact results, as all tests were run 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

Note: A hardware issue with the cooler during testing of the 9950X necessitated a retest, which will be reflected in future updates if significant differences are found.

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB cache, delivers outstanding performance, even surpassing the Ryzen 7 9800X3D in creative benchmarks.

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

In single-core workloads, the 9950X3D shows a 10% improvement over the 9800X3D, scoring 2,254 points in Cinebench 1T compared to 2,033. 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 optimized for gaming.

Gaming performance is where the 9950X3D shines, achieving 274 fps in Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p with Ultra settings, surpassing the 9800X3D and Core Ultra 9 285K. However, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with Ultra settings and ray tracing disabled, it scores 229 fps, slightly lower than the 9800X3D but still outperforming the Intel competitor.

Overkill?

While the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is undeniably the most powerful gaming processor currently available, it may not be the best choice for everyone. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a more accessible $479, offers excellent performance for most users. The 9950X3D is ideal for those who need both top-tier gaming and creative application performance, boasting a 15% improvement over the 9800X3D in apps like Photoshop and Premiere. For pure gaming builds, the savings from choosing the 9800X3D could be better invested in a more powerful graphics card.