AMD Ryzen 9950X3D

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AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
AMD RYZEN 9 9950X3D - DOVRESTI COMPRARLO? (1920p 30fps VP9 LQ-128kbit AAC)-00.00.18.500.png
General information
LaunchedMarch 12, 2025
Product codeGranite Ridge
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate 4.3 GHz to 5.7 GHz
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 16
Socket
  • AM5
Cache
L3 cache128MB (with 3D V-Cache)
Architecture and classification
Instruction set Zen 5
History
Predecessor Ryzen 9 7950X3D
SuccessorN/A

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a flagship desktop microprocessor designed by AMD. It was announced in January 2025 at CES and released on 12 March 2025 as part of the Ryzen 9000 series. The processor targets both gaming and content creation workloads and features AMD's second-generation 3D V-Cache technology. [1]

Contents

A higher-end variant, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, was announced at CES 2026. [2]

Overview

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is based on the Zen 5 "Granite Ridge" architecture. It incorporates 16 cores and 32 threads, with a base clock frequency of approximately 4.3 GHz and boost speeds reaching up to 5.7 GHz. [3]

One of its two core complex dies (CCDs) includes AMD's stacked 3D V-Cache, resulting in a total of around 128 MB of L3 cache and for a total of 145 MB of CPU cache. The processor has a default thermal design power (TDP) of 170 W, with a maximum consumption of 230 W. It is compatible with the AM5 socket platform, supporting DDR5 memory up to 192 GB in size.

Design and innovations

The 9950X3D introduces AMD's second-generation 3D V-Cache implementation, which repositions the cache layers below one of the core complex dies to improve thermal characteristics compared with earlier models. This design allows higher sustained boost clocks under load.

The asymmetric cache distribution—where only one CCD carries the additional stacked cache—offers a balance between cache-sensitive gaming workloads and multi-threaded productivity applications. [4]

Performance

AMD markets the Ryzen 9 9950X3D as a processor suitable for both gamers and creators. In gaming benchmarks, it delivers performance comparable to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, while its higher core count provides a notable advantage in content creation tasks such as video editing and 3D rendering. [5]

Reception

At launch, AMD described the Ryzen 9 9950X3D as "the world's best processor for gamers and creators." With a launch price of US$699, it is positioned above Intel's consumer flagship Core Ultra 9 285K. [6] Reviewers highlighted its strong balance of gaming and productivity performance, though noted that its advantage in gaming over less expensive X3D models was modest. [7]

The German IT online magazine ComputerBase  [ de ] found that "In testing, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D combines the best of both worlds: the highest application performance with a top ranking in gaming." [8] However, they criticized the CPU's relatively high power consumption in gaming compared to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. [8]

According to the German magazine PC Games Hardware , the 9950X3D "is currently the best CPU on the market in terms of overall performance", beating both Intel's Core Ultra 9 285K and Core i9-14900K(S). [9] They noted, however, that users who do not need high productivity performance "should still opt for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Not only is it slightly faster in games and significantly cheaper to purchase, but thanks to only one CCD, it also avoids the problems associated with faulty scheduling." [9]

PCMag praised the CPU for its performance, especially in gaming, and found its high price justified, but noted that its performance in workloads is "Not much faster" than the Ryzen 9 9950X. [10]

Heise Online stated that, until the release of the 9950X3D, power users had the choice between the 9950X for maximum multithreading performance and the 9800X3D for maximum gaming performance, while "The Ryzen 9 9950X3D now combines both worlds." [11]

In Golem 's benchmarks, the 9950X3D was "almost always the fastest gaming CPU, even ahead of the specialized AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D". [12]

Limitations

The processor's high power consumption and thermal output require robust cooling solutions and high-quality motherboards with strong power delivery. For users focused exclusively on gaming, lower-cost X3D models may provide comparable frame rates at a reduced price. [13]

References

  1. ↑ AMD official product page
  2. ↑ "Ryzen 9 9950X3D2: AMD bestätigt die Monster-CPU offiziell". PC Games Hardware (in German). 2026-01-07. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  3. ↑ "AMD Ryzen 9950X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285K: The Definitive 2025 Comparison". Top Tech Choices. 2025-06-17. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
  4. ↑ "AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D faceoff — the battle of AMD's fastest gaming chips". Tom's Hardware. 2025-09-09. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
  5. ↑ The Verge – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D announcement
  6. ↑ "AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review - Great for Gaming and Productivity". www.techpowerup.com. 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  7. ↑ Tom's Hardware – Ryzen 9950X3D review
  8. 1 2 Rißka, Volker (2025-03-11). "AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D im Test". ComputerBase (in German). Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  9. 1 2 "AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D im Test: Mit 3D V-Cache zum Sieg? [Update]". PC Games Hardware (in German). 2025-03-12. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  10. ↑ "AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D". PCMag UK. 2025-04-12. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  11. ↑ "AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D im Test: 16-Kern-CPU für Gamer und Kreativanwender". c't Magazin (in German). 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  12. ↑ Böckmann, Martin (2025-03-12). "AMD Ryzen 9950X3D im Test: Eine CPU, die alles kann". www.golem.de. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  13. ↑ Warren, Tom (2025-01-06). "AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X3D is 'the world's best processor for gamers and creators'". The Verge. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
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