Turns out that it is possible to suffer from success, as top-tier processors like Ryzen 9 9950X3D prove. The processor’s desirability has made finding stock near impossible, and any available units are usually frustratingly priced above AMD’s MSRP. Thankfully, the tide is now shifting for the better.
Ryzen 9 9950X3D
“For those seeking the very best processing power on the market, look no further than Ryzen 9 9950X3D.” Read our review.
Over on Amazon, you’ll find Ryzen 9 9950X3D for $678. That’s a 3% ($21) reduction relative to MSRP, but a larger 8% ($62.93) saving from its average price according to CamelCamelCamel. More importantly, the CPU has never been more affordable following this discount. If you’re shopping in the UK, you can finally pick up the chip at its RRP of £660, after months of having to settle for a higher cost.
Ryzen 9 9950X3D generates so much fervour because of its class-leading performance. The CPU achieves this through combining the very best of AMD’s technologies, namely the brand’s Zen 5 core architecture and 3D V-Cache, into a single package. This results in as close to a do-it-all processor as you could hope for.
More specifically, Ryzen 9 9950X3D arrives with 16 cores and 32 threads operating with a base clock of 4.3GHz and boost frequency of 5.7GHz. So far, so identical to the older Ryzen 9 9950X, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find double the amount of L3 cache on the newer chip. This can prove a game changer in many applications but especially gaming.
Referring to results from my review, Ryzen 9 9950X3D frequently tops the charts ahead of its closest X3D siblings, including Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Better still, it either exceeds or comes within spitting distance of Intel Core Ultra 9 285K. If you’re the type of user that needs as much performance as possible for both single core and multi core tasks, there’s simply no better option.
You will need a sufficiently powerful cooler to tame Ryzen 9 9950X3D given its 170W TDP. AMD doesn’t include a solution with the processor, but I recommend reading Parm’s AIO cooling guide for Ryzen 9 9950X for guidance. If you already have something to hand that’s compatible with Socket AM5 motherboards, it may already be up to the task.
Ryzen 9 9950X3D also serves as a drop-in upgrade for many Socket AM5 motherboards. However, you may need to update the board’s BIOS prior to installation. This is an absolute must for 600 Series chipsets and will vary for 800 Series. If in doubt, refer to the manufacturer’s support page.
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