AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Performance 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 nothing short of overkill for most users. However, it's perfectly poised to keep pace with high-end graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 5090 or its successors. This powerhouse of a CPU comes with a hefty $699 price tag and a 170W power budget, making it a challenging recommendation for anyone not building an ultra-high-end gaming rig. For those looking for a more balanced option, 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 can fluctuate in price based on market demand.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Photos

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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 technology found in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This combination not only delivers robust multi-core performance but also boosts gaming performance thanks to an expanded cache.

Unlike its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the 3D V-Cache in the 9950X3D is located beneath the CPU cores. This seemingly small adjustment significantly improves thermal performance. With the Core Complex Die (CCD) generating most of the CPU's heat, its proximity to the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) enhances heat dissipation. This allows the 9950X3D to run faster and longer due to AMD's performance algorithm, which considers thermal headroom.

The strategic placement of the cache also reduces data travel distance, lowering latency. The 9950X3D boasts a hefty 144MB of combined L2 and L3 cache, matching the last-generation Ryzen 9 7950X3D and surpassing non-X3D processors.

Both the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and 9950X3D share a 170W TDP, although the original 9950X has a higher potential PPT. My testing showed both processors peaking at 200W, with the 9950X3D achieving a lower peak temperature of 79°C, tested on a different cooler than the 9950X.

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

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D – Benchmarks

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Performance

Before delving into performance results, it's important to note that all CPUs were tested on identical hardware, except for the Ryzen 9 9950X, which was tested on an Asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard with a Corsair H170i 360mm AIO cooler. While this difference may affect performance slightly, it's minimal 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

Due to a mounting screw issue with the Asus ROG Ryujin III 360mm cooler during the swap to the 9950X, I will retest the processors in the coming weeks and update this section if there are significant changes.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 144MB cache, delivers exceptional power. Even in creative benchmarks where the 9800X3D lagged, the 9950X3D competes with the top chips on the market.

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 also performs admirably in single-core workloads, outperforming the 9800X3D by 10% in Cinebench 1T (2,254 vs. 2,033 points) and closely trailing the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K in the 3DMark CPU Profile test (1,280 vs. 1,351 points).

In multi-threaded workloads, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D excels, scoring 40,747 points in Cinebench's multi-core test. While it slightly underperforms compared to the 9950X and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K in some 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 with the RTX 4090, outperforming both the 9800X3D (254 fps) and the Core Ultra 9 285K (255 fps). However, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with the Ultra preset and ray tracing disabled, it delivers 229 fps, slightly less than the 9800X3D's 240 fps but still well ahead of the Intel processor's 165 fps.

Overkill?

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is undoubtedly the most powerful gaming processor available, but it's not necessarily the best choice for everyone. Most users will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, more than sufficient for their needs.

The 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also engage in creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For those focused solely on gaming, however, saving the extra $220 to invest in a better graphics card might be a wiser choice.