AMD has officially announced its high-end 3D V-Cache CPUs, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D & 9900X3D, for enthusiast AM5 PC builders & gamers.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D & Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPUs Offer Up To 5.7 GHz Clocks With 144 MB Cache & Stellar Gaming Performance That Wrecks The Competition
AMD's first Zen 5 3D V-Cache CPU, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, has been a hot seller. It brings incredible gaming performance and efficiency to the table, but it is still an 8-core chip. Today, AMD is unveiling its high-end options, including the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, which offer stunning gaming performance along with big content creation uplifts.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU Specifications
Starting with the top SKU, we have the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU. This chip features 16 cores and 32 threads with two CCDs and a single IO die. The chip is configured similarly to the Ryzen 9 9950X but comes with a 3D V-Cache boosted CCD, offering up to 144 MB of total cache.
That's 64 MB from the Zen 5 CCDs and 64 MB from the X3D stack, including an additional 16 MB L2. Just like the Ryzen 9 9950X, the X3D variant will feature a maximum boost clock of up to 5.7 GHz while retaining all of its overclocking capabilities in a 170W TDP package.
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU Specifications
Moving over to the second part, we have the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU, which will retain the same core configuration as the Ryzen 9 9900X with 12 cores, 24 threads, and 64 MB of L3 cache from its two CCDs with one of those two CCDs equipped with a 2nd Generation 3D V-Cache stack which boosts the total figure up to 140 MB.
This chip features a maximum boost clock of up to 5.5 GHz, so a 100 MHz lower clock than the 9900X but in the same 120W TDP package. The 2nd Gen 3D V-Cache will allow both chips to run cooler and offer great overclocking headroom besides the standard CO and PBO utilities.
AMD Ryzen 9000 "Granite Ridge" Desktop CPUs Specs:
| CPU Name | Architecture | Cores / Threads | Base / Boost Clock | Cache | Graphics (Integrated) | Memory Support | TDP | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Zen 5 | 16/32 | 4.3 / 5.7 GHz | 128 MB L3 + 16 MB L2 | 2 x RDNA 2 CUs | DDR5-5600 | 170W | $699 US |
| Ryzen 9 9950X | Zen 5 | 16/32 | 4.3 / 5.7 GHz | 64 MB L3 + 16 MB L2 | 2 x RDNA 2 CUs | DDR5-5600 | 170W | $599 US |
| Ryzen 9 9900X3D | Zen 5 | 12/24 | 4.4 / 5.5 GHz | 128 MB L3 + 12 MB L2 | 2 x RDNA 2 CUs | DDR5-5600 | 120W | $599 US |
| Ryzen 9 9900X | Zen 5 | 12/24 | 4.4 / 5.6 GHz | 64 MB L3 + 12 MB L2 | 2 x RDNA 2 CUs | DDR5-5600 | 120W | $469 US |
| Ryzen 7 9800X3D | Zen 5 | 8/16 | 4.7 / 5.2 GHz | 96 MB L3 + 8 MB L2 | 2 x RDNA 2 CUs | DDR5-5600 | 120W | $479 US |
| Ryzen 7 9700X | Zen 5 | 8/16 | 3.8 / 5.5 GHz | 32 MB L3 + 8 MB L2 | 2 x RDNA 2 CUs | DDR5-5600 | 65W/105W | $329 US |
| Ryzen 5 9600X | Zen 5 | 6/12 | 3.9 / 5.4 GHz | 32 MB L3 + 6 MB L2 | 2 x RDNA 2 CUs | DDR5-5600 | 65W/105W | $249 US |
AMD Ryzen 9 9000X3D CPU Performance (Gaming & Application)
As for performance, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU offers an average 8% faster gaming uplift versus the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and up to 58% faster performance in games such as Counter-Strike 2.
Compared to the competition's latest Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D offers up to 64% faster performance and 20% improvement on average, with several games delivering over 20-30% uplifts.
Lastly, it's not just gaming performance that has seen a tremendous uplift. Thanks to the new Zen 5 architecture, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D manages to offer up to 23% and an average 13% uplift in content creation workloads such as Corona, Blender, Cinebench, and Adobe Photoshop. So with the higher-end Ryzen 9 X3D CPUs, you won't be missing out on the workstation-grade performance of Zen 5.
As for availability, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPUs are scheduled for a Q1 2025 release in the month of March. AMD will be following up with more specs and pricing details in the coming days, so stay tuned.
