AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Performance Reviewed

Just a few months after the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D hit the market, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D has arrived, bringing its advanced 3D V-Cache technology to a 16-core, 32-thread gaming processor. This beast of a chip is overkill for most users but will easily handle powerful graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 or future models. With a hefty price tag of $699 and a 170W power budget, this processor is a tough sell unless you're building an ultra-high-end gaming PC. For most gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains a more practical choice.

Purchasing Guide

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D becomes available on March 12, with a starting price of $699. Keep in mind, AMD's processor prices can vary based on market demand.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos

3 Images

Specs and Features

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D leverages the same Zen 5 cores as the regular 9950X but enhances them with the 2nd-generation 3D V-Cache, also found in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination delivers exceptional multi-core performance alongside improved gaming capabilities, thanks to a significantly larger cache.

Unlike its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the new model positions its 3D V-Cache directly beneath the CPU cores, rather than above. This subtle change significantly boosts thermal performance. By placing the Core Complex Die (CCD) closer to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS), heat dissipation is more efficient, allowing the Ryzen 9 9950X3D to maintain higher speeds for longer periods. Moreover, this cache placement reduces data travel distance, lowering latency and allowing for a substantial 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache, matching the previous generation's capacity but surpassing non-X3D processors.

Both the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, though the original 9950X can potentially reach a higher PPT. In my tests, both CPUs peaked at 200W, but the 9950X3D maintained a cooler peak temperature of 79°C, albeit on a different cooling system.

F fortunately, the 9950X3D doesn't require a new chipset and is compatible with all AM5 AMD motherboards. AMD has committed to supporting this socket until at least 2027, ensuring longevity for your investment.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks

11 Images

Performance

Before diving into performance results, note that all CPUs were tested on identical hardware, except for the Ryzen 9 9950X, which used an Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard with a Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler. This slight variance in hardware shouldn't significantly impact results, as 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 setup was adjusted due to a mounting screw issue with the Asus ROG Ryujin III 360mm cooler when switching to the 9950X. I plan to retest and update this section if there are significant changes.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and massive 144MB cache, is a powerhouse. It excels not only in gaming but also in creative benchmarks where the 9800X3D lagged behind.

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

The 9950X3D performs impressively in single-core workloads, scoring 2,254 points in Cinebench 1T, a 10% improvement over the 9800X3D's 2,033 points. In the 3DMark CPU Profile test, it achieves 1,280 points, nearly matching the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's 1,351 points.

In multi-threaded workloads, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D shines with 40,747 points in Cinebench's multi-core test. Although it slightly underperforms compared to the 9950X and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K in top-end multi-threaded applications, the trade-off is a significant 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, outperforming the 9800X3D's 254 fps and the Core Ultra 9 285K's 255 fps. However, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with the Ultra preset and ray tracing disabled, it delivers 229 fps, slightly down from the 9800X3D's 240 fps but still well ahead of the Intel processor's 165 fps.

Overkill?

While the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is undoubtedly one of the most powerful gaming processors available, it may not be the best choice for everyone. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a more affordable $479, offers excellent performance. The 9950X3D is ideal for those who not only game but also use demanding creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance advantage over the 9800X3D. For a pure gaming build, however, saving the extra $220 for an enhanced graphics card might be a smarter move.