If you're considering joining the AMD community for your next upgrade, the timing couldn't be better. In March, AMD launched the pinnacle of its Zen 5 "X3D" series: the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This top-tier processor was quickly snapped up and has been largely unavailable until now. Amazon has restocked it today at the original price of $699.00, with no markup, though availability might not last long. For those seeking the best in both gaming and creative work, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D stands out as the top choice, surpassing its predecessor, the 9800X3D, and any current Intel offerings.
The Creator's Choice: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU
Mostly out of stock since launch back in March

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
$699.00 at Amazon
Creative professionals looking for the ultimate gaming chip need look no further. The new 9950X3D offers a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, with 16 cores, 32 threads, and an impressive 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While its gaming performance edges out the 9800X3D by just a few percentage points, it significantly outpaces it and other Zen 5 X3D chips, as well as Intel's offerings, in productivity tasks.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is arguably the most powerful gaming processor available today, yet it doesn't automatically outshine every other chip in all scenarios. For most users, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at a much more accessible $479, will suffice. The 9950X3D, however, is tailored for gamers who also engage with creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it delivers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D."
The Gamer's Choice: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
$489.00 at Walmart
$489.00 at Amazon
AMD's X3D series processors are optimized for gaming, thanks to AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. All three CPUs in this series share the 3D V-cache on a single CCD, resulting in similar gaming performance across the board, with minor variations mainly due to clock speed differences. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, with its max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and 104MB of L2-L3 cache, is a powerhouse for gaming at its price point. While capable of multitasking, rendering, and creative tasks, its core count limits its effectiveness for intensive creative workloads.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D excels in gaming, making it a more compelling choice than recent alternatives like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. Especially when paired with a high-end graphics card, the 9800X3D maximizes GPU performance, offering unparalleled gaming experiences."