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

If you're considering joining the AMD bandwagon for your next upgrade, the timing couldn't be better. With the recent launch of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D earlier this year, AMD has now unveiled its higher-end Ryzen 9 siblings in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D priced at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors are widely regarded as the best gaming chips available from both AMD and Intel. For gamers focused purely on gaming, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers excellent value, allowing you to allocate your budget elsewhere. However, content creators and gamers with a bit more to spend will appreciate the significant performance boost provided by the Ryzen 9 processors, thanks to their higher core count and cache.

Note: Processors are frequently in and out of stock, often more out than in.

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 seeking top-tier performance in both gaming and productivity tasks 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 hefty 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While its gaming performance edges out the 9800X3D by just a few percentage points, it significantly outpaces both the other Zen 5 X3D chips and Intel's offerings in productivity tasks.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D stands out as the most powerful gaming processor on the market, yet it doesn't automatically lead in every metric. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a more budget-friendly $479, is more than sufficient. The 9950X3D, however, is ideal for gamers who also engage in intensive creative work, such as using Photoshop and Premiere, where it shows a 15% performance improvement over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-focused build, though, consider saving 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 the innovative 3D V-Cache technology. With all three CPUs featuring the 3D V-Cache on a single CCD, gaming performance remains consistent across the lineup, with minor variations attributed to clock speeds. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache. While it can handle multitasking and creative tasks, its limited core count makes it less ideal for these purposes. However, it excels as a gaming processor, particularly at its price point.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas

"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers exceptional gaming performance, making it an easy recommendation over other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. When paired with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes GPU performance, offering the best bang for your buck."

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 is perfect for those who engage in creative work and gaming but need to adhere to 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 this model yet, its specs suggest it will perform well in productivity tasks and multi-core workloads, though its gaming performance is expected to be similar to its siblings.

AMD's Hot Streak with New CPUs and GPUs

If you've been holding off on Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs to see what AMD has to offer, you've made a wise decision. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards have emerged as the mid-range champions of this generation. Offering excellent performance at a lower price point than their Nvidia counterparts, the RX 9070 starts at $550 and the RX 9070 XT at $600 (though prices may vary due to manufacturer adjustments). Check out our Radeon RX 9070 GPU review and Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU review for detailed benchmarks.

Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?

IGN's deals team brings over 30 years of collective experience in finding the best discounts in gaming, technology, and various other categories. Our commitment is to provide honest recommendations without pushing unnecessary purchases. We aim to highlight the best deals from brands we trust and have personal experience with. For more information on our process, visit our deals standards page, or follow the latest deals on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.