AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review: High-Core Power Meets 3D V-Cache

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D delivers elite gaming and multitasking performance, combining 16 cores with advanced 3D V-Cache for max productivity.

AMD is expanding its high-performance processor lineup with the launch of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D. These CPUs introduce AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology to the high-end market, aiming to deliver top-tier performance for gamers and content creators. AMD has already shown how extra L3 cache can boost gaming performance in previous X3D models, but this time, they’re applying it to higher core-count CPUs, making them even more versatile.

While this review will focus on the 9950X3D, we’ll also review the features and specs of the 9900X3D and discuss how it compares, who it might be for, and where it could fit into AMD’s lineup.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: The 16-Core Powerhouse

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is AMD’s new flagship gaming CPU, built for users who demand the absolute best performance in gaming while also needing serious multi-core power for workloads like video editing, 3D rendering, and heavy multitasking.

Here’s what it offers:

• 16 cores and 32 threads – Ideal for gaming, streaming, and content creation.
• Max boost clock up to 5.7 GHz – Making it one of the fastest CPUs on the market.
• 144MB total cache (L2 + L3) – A massive amount of cache to reduce memory latency.
• 170W TDP – A high power draw, but expected for this level of performance.

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is highlighted by its 3D V-Cache, which stacks extra L3 cache onto the CPU, reducing memory bottlenecks in CPU-limited workloads like high-FPS gaming. AMD has already shown that extra L3 cache can significantly improve minimum frame rates and reduce stutters, especially in games that rely heavily on CPU performance.

While the 16-core configuration might seem overkill for gaming alone, it allows the 9950X3D to excel in workloads that benefit from both cache and core count, such as content creation, streaming, and productivity tasks. This makes it a hybrid CPU competing with high-end gaming chips and workstation processors.

However, the 170W TDP means it runs hotter and requires serious cooling. A high-end cooling system is recommended if you plan to overclock or push this CPU to its limits.

AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D: High Performance with Lower Power Draw

The Ryzen 9 9900X3D is AMD’s more efficient X3D option. It offers strong gaming performance but lower power consumption than the 9950X3D. It’s designed for those who still want 3D V-Cache advantages but don’t necessarily need 16 cores.

Key specs include:

• 12 cores and 24 threads – Still more than enough for high-end gaming and multitasking.
• Boost clock up to 5.5 GHz – Just slightly below the 9950X3D.
• 140MB total cache – Slightly less than the flagship model, but still a huge amount.
• 120W TDP – Significantly lower than the 9950X3D, making it easier to cool.

The 9900X3D is an interesting option because it balances performance and efficiency. While it won’t be as fast in multi-threaded workloads as the 9950X3D, it’s still a powerhouse for gaming, streaming, and light productivity work.

Thanks to 3D V-Cache, it should provide similar gaming performance to the 9950X3D in most titles since games benefit more from cache and clock speeds rather than raw core count. This makes the 9900X3D a great value-oriented high-end gaming CPU that doesn’t require extreme cooling solutions.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D / 9900X3D Platform and Compatibility: Seamless Upgrading

AMD is sticking with socket AM5, which is excellent news for anyone invested in an X670 or B650 motherboard. If you’re upgrading from an earlier AM5 chip, you won’t have to swap out your motherboard—drop in the Ryzen 9 9950X3D or 9900X3D, update your BIOS if needed, and you’re good to go. This makes upgrading far less hassle than switching to an entirely new platform.

If you’re running a Radeon GPU, you’ll also benefit from Smart Access Memory (SAM), which lets the CPU and GPU work together more efficiently, potentially improving performance in certain games. While traditional overclocking is locked on these X3D chips, AMD’s Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) still gives users some tuning options, allowing for small performance gains without the risks of manual tweaking.

How Do They Compare to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D?

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D represent a nice step up from the previous-generation AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, especially regarding multi-core performance and cache size. The 9950X3D doubles the core count of the 9800X3D, giving it a significant advantage in multi-threaded workloads like video editing, rendering, and content creation. The 9900X3D also surpasses the 9800X3D’s multi-core capabilities while maintaining a more efficient 120W TDP. Both new chips feature increased L3 cache (128MB versus 96MB), which likely means better memory latency and smoother performance in CPU-limited scenarios, particularly in high-FPS gaming.

Gaming performance should also see noticeable improvements. The 3D V-Cache technology in the 9950X3D and 9900X3D allows for higher minimum frame rates and more consistent performance in cache-dependent titles. While the 9800X3D was already strong in gaming, the added cache and higher clock speeds of the 9950X3D and 9900X3D  should improve frame pacing and responsiveness. The higher TDP of the 9950X3D means it runs hotter than the 9800X3D, but the increased power draw comes with clear performance benefits, particularly in multi-threaded tasks.

The differences are clear on paper, but let’s see if the benchmarks back that up.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D / 9900X3D Specifications

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Performance

We only had the Ryzen 9 9950X3D for performance testing, which we compared directly to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. While we previously tested the 9800X3D, we decided to redo all benchmarks to ensure consistency and take advantage of the latest software updates. This also allowed us to use an updated version of y-cruncher.

To keep the testing environment as consistent as possible, we ran both CPUs on the ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO motherboard with the same DDR5 memory type and configuration. Here’s a full rundown of our testing rig:

• Motherboard: ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero (provided by AMD)
• Memory: SKILL Trident Z5 Royal Series DDR5-6000 (2x16GB), running on EXPO 1
• Cooling: High-performance liquid cooling solution
• Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090

We ran a mix of synthetic and real-world tests for benchmarks to measure performance across different workloads. 3DMark CPU Profile evaluates multi-threaded scaling, Cinebench tests raw CPU rendering power, and y-cruncher (including the BBP variant) pushes the CPU to its limits with complex mathematical computations. We also included the 7-Zip Compression Benchmark to assess file compression performance and UL Procyon, which simulates professional workloads like photo and video editing.

Benchmarks results

3DMark CPU Profile

The 3DMark CPU Profile measures CPU performance across different workloads by testing 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and max threads. It highlights how the CPU handles single-threaded tasks, gaming workloads, and heavily threaded applications like 3D rendering. The benchmark minimizes GPU impact, offering a clear view of the CPU’s performance in various scenarios.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with its 16 cores and 32 threads, outperforms the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (8 cores, 16 threads) in multi-threaded workloads. It leads by 67% in the max threads test and 59% at 16 threads, showing its superior ability to handle demanding tasks like 3D rendering and content creation. The 9950X3D is about 10% faster at eight threads, but the gap narrows in less demanding scenarios. For four threads, the difference is just 4%, and in single-threaded tasks, the 9950X3D is only 4% ahead. Both CPUs perform similarly in gaming or light productivity tasks, but for workloads that scale well with more cores, the 9950X3D has the advantage.

y-cruncher

y-cruncher is a popular benchmarking and stress-testing application that launched in 2009. This test is multi-threaded and scalable, computing Pi and other constants up to the trillions of digits. Faster is better in this test.

Results indicate the Ryzen 9 9950X3D delivers a solid performance boost over the 9800X3D, thanks to its higher core count and larger 3D V-Cache. It handled the 1 billion digit test about 23% faster, and that lead widened to around 25% in the 2 billion and 5 billion digit tests. This illustrates that the extra cores and improved cache efficiency are making a real difference, especially in more prolonged, complex workloads where memory handling and multi-threading matter. The consistent gains across all test sizes reinforce that the 9950X3D isn’t just faster—it’s handling heavy computational loads more effectively overall.

y-cruncher (Bailey-Borwein-Plouffe)

This y-cruncher benchmark utilizes the Bailey-Borwein-Plouffe (BBP) formulas to compute massive hexadecimal digits of Pi, measuring the CPU’s total computation time, utilization, and multi-core efficiency.

In the y-cruncher benchmark, which is highly scalable and tests multi-threaded performance by calculating Pi and other constants, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D (16 cores, 32 threads) outperforms the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (8 cores, 16 threads) by a noticeable margin. At 1 billion digits, the 9950X3D completes the task 23.5% faster, finishing in 16.45 seconds compared to the 9800X3D’s 21.49 seconds.

At 2 billion digits, the lead expands to 25.3%, with the 9950X3D completing the test in 48.05 seconds, compared to 64.27 seconds for the 9800X3D. The gap continues to grow at 5 billion digits, where the 9950X3D is 23.9% faster, finishing in 109.34 seconds versus the 9800X3D’s 143.89 seconds.

The 9950X3D’s superior core count and threading capabilities allow it to excel in this multi-threaded, computationally intensive benchmark.

7-Zip Compression

The 7-Zip Compression Benchmark evaluates CPU performance during compression and decompression tasks, measuring ratings in GIPS (Giga Instructions Per Second) and CPU usage. Higher GIPS and efficient CPU usage indicate superior performance.

For compressing, the resulting rating of the 9950X3D is 178.09 GIPS, compared to 117.90 GIPS for the 9800X3D, reflecting a substantial 51% improvement. When decompressing, the 9950X3D again leads with a rating of 250.23 GIPS, whereas the 9800X3D achieves 135.45 GIPS, an 85% difference.

The 9950X3D also excels with a total rating of 214.16 GIPS, significantly higher than the 126.67 GIPS of the 9800X3D, a 69% performance boost. This showcases the 9950X3D’s superior multi-threaded capabilities in compression and decompression tasks.

UL Procyon

UL Procyon AI Inference is designed to gauge a workstation’s performance in professional applications. It should be noted that this test does not take advantage of multiple CPU capabilities. Specifically, this tool benchmarks the workstation’s ability to handle AI-driven tasks and workflows, providing a detailed assessment of its efficiency and speed in processing complex AI algorithms and applications.

For the overall AI Computer Vision score, the 9950X3D achieves a higher score of 220, compared to the 9800X3D’s 188, a 17% improvement. In specific AI tasks, the 9950X3D performs faster in most scenarios:

• MobileNet V3: The 9800X3D finishes in 0.61 ms, while the 9950X3D takes 0.94 ms. While the 9800X3D is faster here, the margin is small.
• ResNet 50: The 9950X3D performs better, completing the task in 5.33 ms compared to 7.01 ms on the 9800X3D, a 24% improvement.
• Inception V4: The 9950X3D leads again with 17.12 ms, versus 22.28 ms on the 9800X3D, marking a 23% performance boost.
• DeepLab V3: The 9950X3D is faster at 21.70 ms, compared to the 9800X3D’s 23.98 ms, showing an 11% improvement.
• YOLO V3: The 9950X3D finishes in 35.27 ms, 37% faster than the 9800X3D’s 56.07 ms.
• REAL-ESRGAN: The 9950X3D handles this task significantly better, completing it in 2,037.51 ms, 25% faster than the 9800X3D’s 2,728.62 ms.

Overall, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D performs better in AI inference tasks, showing significant gains in many individual benchmarks.

PCMark 10

PCMark 10 evaluates CPU performance by simulating real-world office productivity tasks like word processing, web browsing, video conferencing, and spreadsheet calculations. The benchmark uses a combination of workloads that reflect the demands of modern workplaces, providing a comprehensive assessment of how a CPU handles day-to-day applications.

In the PCMark 10, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D outperforms the Ryzen 7 9800X3D with an overall score of 10,849, compared to the 9800X3D’s 10,250. This represents a modest 5.8% improvement, highlighting the 9950X3D’s slightly better ability to handle everyday office tasks such as word processing, web browsing, video conferencing, and spreadsheet calculations. The performance difference is relatively small in this test, showing that for typical productivity workloads, both CPUs perform similarly, but the 9950X3D still holds a slight edge in this benchmark.

SPECworkstation 4.4.0

SPECworkstation 4 specializes in benchmarks designed to test all key aspects of workstation performance. It uses over 30 workloads to test CPU, graphics, I/O, and memory bandwidth. The workloads fall into broader categories such as Media and Entertainment, Financial Services, Product Development, Energy, Life Sciences, and General Operations. We will list each broad-category result instead of the individual workloads. The results are an average of all the individual workloads in each category.

In the SPECworkstation benchmark, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D outperforms the Ryzen 7 9800X3D in every category.

• AI & Machine Learning: The 9950X3D scores 3.30, a 13% improvement over the 9800X3D’s 2.92.
• Energy: The 9950X3D scores 2.66, 25% higher than the 9800X3D’s 2.13.
• Financial Services: The 9950X3D scores 2.48, a 74% boost over the 9800X3D’s 1.42.
• Life Sciences: The 9950X3D again leads with a score of 2.71, 26% better than the 9800X3D’s 2.15.
• Media & Entertainment: The 9950X3D excels here with a score of 3.34, 30% higher than the 9800X3D’s 2.57.
• Product Design: The 9950X3D scores 2.43, 17% better than the 9800X3D’s 2.08.
• Productivity & Development: The 9950X3D scores 1.28, a 14% improvement over the 9800X3D’s 1.12.

Overall, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D consistently outperforms the Ryzen 7 9800X3D across all categories, making it the better option for workstation tasks involving AI, media, financial services, product design, and other professional workloads.

Conclusion

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a powerhouse that delivers across the board, offering a meaningful upgrade for gamers and content creators. Its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of cache give it a clear edge in multi-threaded workloads, while the expanded 3D V-Cache ensures smoother performance in CPU-bound games. In benchmarks, the 9950X3D consistently outpaced the previous-generation 9800X3D, showing gains of over 50% in compression and multi-core compute tests. The extra cache makes a noticeable difference in minimum frame rates and gaming responsiveness, reinforcing AMD’s position as the leader in high-performance gaming CPUs. The 170W TDP means it runs hot under load, so a high-end cooling solution is recommended to unlock its full potential.

While we didn’t have performance numbers for the 9900X3D, we can say that it’s positioned as a more efficient alternative with 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of cache. It should offer similar gaming performance to the 9950X3D while drawing less power, making it a solid option for those who want high-end performance without the higher heat output.

The continued support for AM5 is a big win for long-term value. If you’re already on an AM5 platform, upgrading to the 9950X3D is as simple as a BIOS update, and you’ll get the benefits without needing a new motherboard. If you’re building a new system or upgrading from an older platform, the 9950X3D offers performance that’s challenging to match. For those who want the best, the 9950X3D is an obvious choice—but the 9900X3D looks like it could be a smart, more efficient alternative. Either way, AMD has delivered an impressive lineup of new processors.

AMD Ryzen CPUs

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