Gaming On The New AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D

First Step, A Mandatory Fresh Install Of Windows

The new AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D contains one 8-core CCD with 3D V-Cache, and another 8-core processor die without 3D V-Cache, an impressive 144MB of cache and a TDP of 170W.  AMD also announced the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, and some sites were lucky enough to get one to though we have yet to see much in the way of benchmarks for that chip yet.  It will have 12-cores, 24-threads with 140MB of total cache and a more easily dealt with 120W TDP.  It will have a similar split, with a pair of six core dies.  As for the pricing, you should see the 9950X3D for $699 and the 9900X3D for $599.

The trick with these chips is to have it recognize a game and park the non-X3D cores while gaming; follow the BIOS settings and driver instructions to do so or you may be somewhat disappointed with your performance.  The FPS Review tried out the 9950X3D in a number of games and there are indeed some in which the new chip beats the old 9800X3D but in almost every test the 9950X3D triumphs over the older 7950X3D by a significant margin. 

It seems flipping the 3D V-Cache upside down was a great idea, as it does indeed allow increased clock speeds and better thermal control, which you should know having already read Sebastian’s review of the 9950X3D.  In general though, the 9800X3D remains the best gaming CPU money can buy.