AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: In-Depth Review

Just a few months after the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D graced us with its presence, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D brings its 3D V-Cache technology to a 16-core, 32-thread gaming processor that’s absolutely overkill for most people. Yet, it will have no problem keeping up with powerful graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 or whatever comes next. However, all those cores come with a steep $699 price tag and a 170W power budget, making this processor hard to recommend to anyone who isn’t already building an incredibly powerful and expensive gaming PC. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains a more sensible 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 AMD's processors often experience price fluctuations based on demand.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos

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Specs and Features

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D essentially takes the same Zen 5 cores found in the regular 9950X and pairs them with the new 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache found in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination ensures excellent multi-core performance along with enhanced gaming capabilities due to a larger cache.

Unlike its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the 3D V-Cache in the 9950X3D is now located below the actual CPU cores, rather than above them. This might seem like a minor tweak, but it significantly impacts thermal performance. With the Core Complex Die (CCD) generating most of the CPU's heat, its closer proximity to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) allows for better heat dissipation. Thanks to AMD's performance algorithm, which considers thermal headroom, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D can run faster and longer.

The strategic placement of the cache also reduces data travel distance, thereby lowering latency. Moreover, the increased cache space allows AMD to pack in a whopping 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache, matching the last-generation Ryzen 9 7950X3D but vastly exceeding that of any non-X3D processor.

Both the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, though the original 9950X can reach a higher potential PPT. In my testing, both processors peaked at around 200W, but the 9950X3D maintained a lower peak temperature of 79°C, albeit on a different cooler than the original 9950X.

Fortunately, since the 9950X3D uses the same chipset, it's compatible with any AM5 AMD motherboard. AMD has committed to supporting this socket until at least 2027, ensuring you won't be stuck with an outdated platform anytime soon.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks

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Performance

Before diving into performance results, it's important to note that all CPUs were tested on the same hardware, with one exception: the Ryzen 9 9950X was tested on an Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard with a Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler. While this difference in hardware may impact performance, it's unlikely to be significant, especially since all tests were conducted 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

This discrepancy occurred because one of the mounting screws for the Asus ROG Ryujin III 360mm cooler snapped during the switch to the 9950X. I will retest the processors in the coming weeks, and if there are significant differences, I’ll update this section.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and an impressive 144MB of cache, delivers exceptional power. Even in creative benchmarks where the 9800X3D lagged, the 9950X3D keeps pace with the most powerful chips available.

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

Surprisingly, the 9950X3D performs well against the 9800X3D in single-core workloads. For instance, in Cinebench 1T, the 9950X3D scores 2,254 points compared to 2,033 points for the 9800X3D, marking a 10% improvement. In the 3DMark CPU Profile test, the 9950X3D scores 1,280 points, closely approaching the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 1,351 points.

In multi-threaded workloads, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D really shines, achieving 40,747 points in Cinebench’s multi-core test. While it slightly underperforms compared to the 41,123 points from the 9950X and 42,245 points from the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, the trade-off is well worth it for the boost in gaming performance.

In Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p with Ultra settings, the 9950X3D achieves 274 fps when paired with the RTX 4090, outpacing the 254 fps from the 9800X3D and 255 fps from the Core Ultra 9 285K. However, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with the Ultra preset and ray tracing disabled, the 9950X3D delivers 229 fps, down from the 240 fps of the 9800X3D. Despite this, it's still significantly faster than the 165 fps from the competing Intel processor.

Overkill?

While the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D may be the most powerful gaming processor currently available, it doesn't automatically outshine every other chip on the market. Most gamers will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D more than adequate, especially considering its much lower price of $479.

The 9950X3D is best suited for users who not only play games but also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a gaming-focused build, however, it might be wiser to invest the extra $220 in a superior graphics card.