AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D review: A no-compromise CPU for demanding gamers

How do we push the CPU forward? The computing industry has been asking questions since the launch of the Intel 4004 processor in 1971. Chip manufacturers try to increase clock speeds, add multiple cores and architecture small chips to make them faster and more efficient. Conflict between RISC and CISC Chip Instruction Sets (ISA) – Conflict between “reduced” design and “complexity” – To this day with RISC-V’s anger.

Over the past few years, AMD has been exploring a unique approach that can be found through 3D V-CACHThis technology can stack more L3 caches on the Ryzen core. By doing so, the company avoids crowding the 2D plane of the chip and is able to fill up more memory without making the CPU bigger. and Ryzen 9 9950x3dAMD has now developed 3D V-CACHE, so much so that every hardcore gamer wants one, even if few actually need a $700 CPU.

3D V-Cache first appeared in 2022 Ryzen 5800x3d Bring it to laptops in 2023. While there were some obvious disadvantages initially – the 5800x3d clock speed is slower than the standard Ryzen 5800 – AMD steadily improves the technology. this Ryzen 7 7800x3d and Ryzen 9 7900x3d Both are noteworthy at the same maximum clock speed as their 2D peers. While AMD’s second-generation 3D V-CACHE technology has not made a leap in 9950x3d (and more recently in other chips like 9900x3d and 9800x3d), the company has managed to overcome the few tradeoffs that have to be made so far. In short, the Ryzen 9 9950x3d is the beast of CPU for gaming and productivity work.

AMD

The 9950x3D is a powerful force of desktop processors, with a lot of L3 caches to speed up the game, and there is no compromise to strengthen productivity efforts. The only downside is its relatively high price.

advantage

• Excellent performance
• Apparent game improvements
• Relatively cooler temperatures

shortcoming

• Very expensive compared to other desktop CPUs

Best Buy $700

What are new in Ryzen 9 9950x3d?

The 9950x3D is a 16-core processor with a base clock speed of 4.3GHz and a boost speed of 5.7GHz, just like its 2D sibling 9950x. The biggest difference between the two is their total L2 and L3 cache: the 9950X has 80MB, while the 3D V-CACHENTIGHT technology crams 144MB is in 9950x3d. By having more caches, 9950x3D is able to solve more processing load without hitting RAM, which can cost eight to ten times more. According to Robert HalllockDirector of Technical Marketing at AMD.

The main upgrade of the Ryzen 9 9950x3d, besides powered by AMD’s new Zen 5 core, lies in the location of its 3D V-CACH layer. Previously, it sat on Zen 3 and Zen 4 cores, which slightly hindered cooling and overall performance. Now the 3D V-CACHE layer is located under the Zen 5 core of 9950x3d, which gives these hotter elements direct access to the heatsink of your CPU fan. The 9950x3D has the same 170-watt TDP (thermal design profile) as the 2D variant, so cooling is not a huge problem, and unlike most other 3D V-CACHECACHE chips, it can also be completely overwhelmed.

Use: Absolutely powerful country

I wish the Ryzen 9 9950x3d would be able to Wallop on other PC CPUs I’ve tested, but I didn’t expect the leap to be so compelling. In the Geekbench 6 single-line Readed CPU benchmark, it’s 20% faster than the Ryzen 9 7900X I used before. In multithreaded tests on the same benchmark, the 9950x3D is also 33% faster. (I don’t have 7950x3d direct comparison, but based Median score from 3Dmark usersreaching 14,290 points. In my tests, 9950x3d hit 17,025, or 19% faster)

I only see Apple hardware scores better. For single-threaded tasks, the M4 chips are slightly faster, while the M4 Max and M2 Ultra Chips TROUNCE AMD’s multi-threaded Geekeekbench 6 scores in Mac Studio. Still, even considering the $700 price of 9950x3d, you can build a solid Ryzen 9 system that is well below the $2,000 starting cost of the Mac Studio MAX.

Apple is not always ahead. In Cinebench 2024 multithreaded benchmark, 9950x3d slightly surpasses the M4 Max chip. The results also show that AMD’s flagship chip is very helpful to Windows-based content creators. Both the 9950x3d and the M4 Max took 14 seconds to transpose the 4K clip to 1080p, the fastest result we’ve seen.

The main attraction of 9950x3D is that it will also be able to handle demanding gaming in the coming years without bottlenecking high-end GPUs such as Nvidia’s RTX 5080 and 5090. Cyberpunk 2077 During 1080p playback with high graphic settings. On the other hand, the Ryzen 9 7900X hit 166 fps with the same GPU and RAM. You will see less immediate boost at higher resolutions and your video card is doing more. Sepunk Hit 64 fps in 4K on 9950x3d and 64 fps on 9950x3d, while trying to hit 56 fps on the same setup on 7900X.

Especially for 4K, 9950x3D is useful for faster refresh rates to extend performance. On 7900x, Dragon Age: Veil Running at smooth 250 fps in 4K with graphics settings and frame generation, but using newer chips I saw 270 fps. If you’re running a 4K 240Hz monitor with a smaller GPU, you’ll probably be better at shooting close to 240 fps thanks to 3D V-CACH.

Given all its power, I was surprised to find that the 9950x3D runs at a relatively cool 81.5 degrees Celsius at a 100% load. It is also idle between 30c and 35c depending on your work. These results are impressive for CPUs that can push up 170 watts.

Should you buy Ryzen 9 9950x3d?

Just like NVIDIA’s $2,000 RTX 5090, I can’t easily recommend the $700 Ryzen 9 9950x3d to most people. The Ryzen 7 9800x3d will probably be better, and the game is more affordable, at $479. Of course, it has half the core, but most titles aren’t at the beginning. There is also $600 for 12-core 9900x3d, which may be more useful for those who actually need a healthy number of CPU cores.

Of course, you might consider AMD current chips without 3D V-CACHE, like the Ryzen 7 9700X, with a MSRP of $359, but currently Priced under $300. However, if you’ve already purchased an expensive video card on the market, getting more L3 cache may be worth mentioning. When AMD made its debut at 5800x3d, the company claimed that 3D V-CACHE C-CACH only improved the performance of the 1080p by 15%. As games become more complex and demanding, having more available caches may be more useful. (Now, it’s easier than buying new chips in a few years than buying new chips.)

As for Intel, it only plans to bring a technology version that it calls local cache to the next-generation Xeon server chip. der8auer and bens hardware (pass Tom’s hardware). Intel’s current high-end desktop chip, 24-core I9-14900K, is not gaming, but only has 36MB of L3 cache.

wrap up

If so, Ryzen 9 9950x3d This is another sign that AMD is on the craze. Release a pair Excellent mid-range GPUwhich shows that the company can be with NVIDIA, the CPU and its included 3D V-CACH technology reminds AMD of its leading position in Intel in many ways. And, don’t forget that this is also the first X86 chip manufacturer to include NPUs in laptops and desktops. While this is certainly not the best deal, if you can afford it, the 9950x3D is the best desktop CPU you can buy today.