The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, arriving just months after its sibling the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, brings 3D V-Cache technology to a 16-core, 32-thread powerhouse. While overkill for most, it effortlessly handles even the most demanding graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 and beyond. However, its $699 price tag and 170W power consumption make it a tough sell unless you're building an exceptionally high-end (and expensive) gaming rig. For most, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains the more practical choice.

Purchasing Guide

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D launches March 12th, with a suggested retail price of $699. Note that AMD processor pricing can fluctuate based on market demand.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos

Specs and Features

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D utilizes the same Zen 5 cores as the standard 9950X, enhanced by the 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache found in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination delivers exceptional multi-core performance alongside boosted gaming capabilities thanks to the expanded cache. A key difference from its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, is the 3D V-Cache's placement directly beneath the CPU cores, not above. This seemingly minor adjustment significantly improves thermal performance. The closer proximity to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) allows for more efficient heat dissipation. AMD's performance algorithms leverage this thermal headroom, enabling faster, sustained clock speeds. This optimized placement also reduces data travel distance, minimizing latency. The 9950X3D boasts a substantial 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache—identical to the previous generation 7950X3D, but far exceeding other non-X3D processors.

Both the Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, although the 9950X has a higher potential PPT. Testing revealed both processors peaked around 200W, but the 9950X3D exhibited lower peak temperatures (79°C during testing), though tested on a different cooler. Compatibility is ensured with any AM5 AMD motherboard, offering future-proofing with AMD's commitment to AM5 support until at least 2027.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks

Performance

Testing involved consistent hardware, except for the Ryzen 9 9950X (Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard, Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler). While this hardware difference might influence results, the impact is expected to be minimal, especially considering stock settings. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D’s 16 cores, 32 threads, and massive 144MB cache deliver exceptional performance. It excels even in creative benchmarks where the 9800X3D lags. Surprisingly, the 9950X3D also holds its own against the 9800X3D in single-core tasks. In Cinebench 1T, it achieves 2,254 points compared to the 9800X3D's 2,033 points (a 10% improvement). The 3DMark CPU Profile test yields 1,280 points, approaching the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 1,351 points. Multi-threaded performance shines, scoring 40,747 points in Cinebench’s multi-core test. While slightly behind the 9950X (41,123 points) and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (42,245 points) in some multi-threaded applications, the gaming performance gains justify the trade-off.

Gaming benchmarks show impressive results. In *Total War: Warhammer 3* (1080p, Ultra), the 9950X3D achieves 274 fps with the RTX 4090, outperforming the 9800X3D (254 fps) and Core Ultra 9 285K (255 fps). However, *Cyberpunk 2077* (1080p, Ultra, ray tracing disabled) shows a less impressive 229 fps, lower than the 9800X3D's 240 fps. Despite this, it still surpasses the Intel processor's 165 fps.

Overkill?

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is currently a top-tier gaming processor, but not necessarily the best choice for everyone. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers comparable performance at a significantly lower price ($479). The 9950X3D is ideal for users who demand high performance in both gaming and creative applications (e.g., Photoshop, Premiere), showing a 15% improvement over the 9800X3D in such tasks. For pure gaming builds, investing the extra $220 in a better graphics card might be a wiser decision.