AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review

Following the release of the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D arrives, bringing 3D V-Cache technology to a 16-core, 32-thread processor. While undeniably powerful and capable of handling high-end graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090, its $699 price tag and 170W power consumption make it a less practical choice for most gamers compared to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.

Purchasing Guide

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D launched on March 12th, with a suggested retail price of $699. Pricing may fluctuate based on market demand.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos

Specs and Features

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D utilizes the same Zen 5 cores as the standard 9950X, enhanced by 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache, similar to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination delivers excellent multi-core performance alongside improved 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. This proximity to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) significantly improves thermal performance, allowing for faster and more sustained clock speeds. Reduced data travel distance also contributes to lower latency. The 9950X3D boasts 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache, matching the previous generation's Ryzen 9 7950X3D and significantly exceeding 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 reaching peak power consumption around 200W, with the 9950X3D exhibiting lower peak temperatures (79°C during testing, though tested on a different cooler than the 9950X). Compatibility with existing AM5 motherboards is ensured, with AMD confirming support until at least 2027.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks

Performance

Testing involved the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, with minor hardware variations (Ryzen 9 9950X tested on different motherboard and cooler). The Ryzen 9 9950X3D's exceptional performance is evident across various benchmarks. Even in creative workloads where the 9800X3D lagged, the 9950X3D maintained competitiveness with top-tier processors. Notably, the 9950X3D showed a surprising single-core performance advantage over the 9800X3D (10% improvement in Cinebench 1T). Multi-threaded performance was also strong, though slightly behind the 9950X and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K. In gaming benchmarks (Total War: Warhammer 3 and Cyberpunk 2077), the 9950X3D demonstrated impressive frame rates, surpassing competitors in some instances, but falling slightly behind the 9800X3D in Cyberpunk 2077.

Test Bench Specifications:

AMD Test Bench: GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090; Motherboard: Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero; 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

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

Overkill?

While the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D offers top-tier gaming performance, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D presents a more cost-effective alternative for most users. The 9950X3D's advantage becomes more pronounced for users who combine gaming with demanding creative applications, where it demonstrates a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D. For pure gaming builds, investing the price difference in a higher-end graphics card might yield better overall performance gains.