AMD's new Ryzen 9000X3D CPUs double the core count, but is it worth it?
- AMD launched two new CPUs, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D, enhancing core count and cache memory compared to their predecessor.
- Gaming performance improvements are modest, with the new CPUs being only slightly faster than the previous 9800X3D, but they are designed for users needing high processing power for multitasking.
- The new processors are set to be available in the first quarter of 2025, with consumers anticipating higher pricing than previous models.
On January 6, 2025, AMD unveiled its latest offerings in the Ryzen series, specifically targeting desktop PC users with two new processors, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and the Ryzen 9 9900X3D. The new CPUs boast significant advancements over the 9800X3D model, launched in November 2024, particularly in terms of CPU core count. The 9900X3D comes with 12 Zen 5 CPU cores and a maximum clock speed of 5.5 GHz, while the more powerful 9950X3D includes 16 cores with a peak clock speed of 5.7 GHz. Both processors also feature an increased L3 cache, with 64MB additional cache that enhances gaming performance due to its impact on processing speed. AMD's strategy with these new CPUs appears to target a dual audience: gamers who desire peak performance during gameplay and professionals who require robust processing power for CPU-intensive workloads such as content creation and multitasking. The increased core count aims to fulfill demands of both groups, allowing users to have an optimal experience in gaming while still efficiently handling professional applications. Despite these enhancements, AMD has noted that gaming performance of these new processors is only marginally improved, within 1% of the previous 9800X3D. In terms of performance metrics, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is estimated to be approximately 8% faster than its predecessor, the 7950X3D, during gaming sessions, while providing a more significant 13% boost in professional applications. Such improvements, while promising, remain in line with the incremental performance increases seen across the Ryzen 9000-series desktop CPUs. Similar to earlier models like the 7950X3D and 7900X3D, these CPUs utilize a dual-chiplet configuration: one chiplet is equipped with AMD's innovative stacked 3D V-Cache technology, and another chiplet without cache. To enhance gaming experience further, AMD optimizes core utilization through a process known as core parking. This allows the gaming performance to leverage the faster chiplet with cache while