AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Evaluation: The Finest Excessive-Finish CPU

4 months have handed because the launch of AMD’s spectacular Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, and it appears the market nonetheless cannot get sufficient of it. Provide has been cheap, however demand has been overwhelming. And since that is yet one more in-demand product constructed utilizing TSMC’s N4 course of, the 9800X3D is preventing for provide with numerous different sought-after chips.

In consequence, even at present, the 9800X3D is usually out of inventory and troublesome to buy at MSRP. We should always point out that once we had been scripting this Newegg had it in inventory for $480 and it was their primary best-selling CPU.

The explanation for its excessive reputation is easy – the 9800X3D is the world’s quickest gaming processor, with out exception, and at $480, it’s reasonably priced in comparison with even a fundamental graphics card. The one draw back is that it’s not significantly robust in productiveness workloads. For individuals who want each work and gaming efficiency, options just like the 7950X3D or Core Ultra 9 285K have been higher selections.

That modifications at present with the discharge of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, together with its sidekick, the 9900X3D.

The 9950X3D is a 16-core/32-thread Zen 4-based processor that includes two 8-core CCDs, certainly one of which is supplied with AMD’s 3D V-Cache know-how. It’s priced at $700 – the identical MSRP because the earlier technology 7950X3D. In the meantime, the 12-core/24-thread 9900X3D is about to launch at $600, once more matching the MSRP of its predecessor.

We now have heard that preliminary provide for these new CPUs is sort of good, significantly for high-end fashions. Nevertheless, as was the case with the 9800X3D, it is unlikely there will likely be sufficient provide to fulfill demand, so getting one will seemingly be a problem, at the very least for the following month or so.

AMD has solely despatched out the 9950X3D for overview, and admittedly, it is the one half that actually is smart. The 9900X3D is simply 16% cheaper than the 9950X3D but has 25% fewer cores, making it a poor worth proposition. Worse nonetheless, solely six cores have direct entry to the bigger 3D V-Cache, making it much less efficient for gaming. In a means, it is basically an overpriced 6-core processor.

Except the 9900X3D is obtainable at a 30% low cost relative to the 9950X3D, it is not price contemplating. That is seemingly why AMD has opted to not ship it out for overview.

It might appear odd that these Zen 4, dual-CCD 3D V-Cache processors are solely being launched now – 4 months after the 9800X3D. Provide constraints may very well be an element, however one other chance is that AMD has been refining scheduling optimizations to forestall the 9950X3D from falling behind the 9800X3D in sure video games as a consequence of improper CCD utilization or extreme cross-CCD communication.

To enhance efficiency and guarantee higher scheduling, AMD has up to date its Provisioning Packages Service and 3D V-Cache Efficiency Optimizer. Moreover, AMD is introducing a brand new Software Compatibility Database.

The Provisioning Packages Service is a big replace, because it eliminates the necessity to reinstall Home windows for a brand new Ryzen processor to operate accurately. Nevertheless, AMD nonetheless recommends a contemporary set up. The service displays the system, and if it detects a change in CPU identify, core depend, logical processor depend, or L3 cache measurement, it would routinely uninstall and reinstall the mandatory drivers.

This service is designed to optimize CPU energy and efficiency for dual-CCD processors when gaming. It achieves this by a mix of energy and frequency changes, together with core parking whereas utilizing the Home windows Recreation Mode energy profile. These optimizations could also be dynamically utilized to particular energy profiles, usually when launching an software.

When the working system detects {that a} recreation is working, it “parks” the cores on the non-3D V-Cache-enabled CCD, making these cores briefly unavailable to the OS.

Then there’s the AMD 3D V-Cache Efficiency Optimizer, which reinforces the efficiency of Ryzen 9 3D V-Cache processors for each gaming and non-gaming duties by dynamically adjusting the favored processor cores primarily based on the lively software. When gaming, the working system prioritizes cores linked to the bigger L3 cache. Conversely, for non-gaming duties, it prioritizes the highest-frequency cores. Not like the Provisioning Packages Service, this software program doesn’t park cores.

Lastly, there’s the AMD Software Compatibility Database, which requires each a brand new BIOS and chipset driver. This database is designed to deal with problematic video games that can’t be totally optimized by the Provisioning Packages and helps all dual-CCD fashions. Presently, it consists of optimizations for Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Dying Gentle 2, Far Cry 6, Metro Exodus, Complete Warfare: Three Kingdoms, Complete Warfare: Warhammer III, and Wolfenstein: Youngblood.

So a number of effort has gone into guaranteeing that, on the subject of gaming, the 9950X3D performs simply in addition to the 9800X3D. We stay up for testing this declare with the 12 video games in our day-one critiques and later exploring it additional with a 40 – 50-game benchmark. For now although let’s go over the info we have now…

Check System Specs

CPU Clock Habits (Inventory, PBO, Eco Mode)

First, let’s check out how the 9950X3D behaves out of the field with nothing greater than EXPO settings utilized. After half an hour of looping Cinebench’s multi-core check, we recorded a median core clock frequency of 5,085 MHz and a peak CPU temperature of 84°C. These outcomes had been recorded in an ATX case utilizing a 360mm AIO.

To allow PBO, we did this manually within the BIOS and benchmarked this configuration, which you will note within the following graphs. Utilizing the superior PBO choices, the PPT, TDC, and EDC had been all manually maxed out, the PBO scalar was set to 10X, the enhance clock override was set to +200 MHz, and the curve optimizer was set to -20.

Below these circumstances, we noticed a median clock frequency of 5,227 MHz, a mere 3% frequency improve over inventory. Nevertheless, as a result of we used a destructive curve optimizer, the height CPU temperature dropped from 84°C to only 78°C, as the common bundle energy dropped from 193W right down to 186W.

Lastly, we additionally benchmarked the 9950X3D utilizing Eco mode, which decreased the all-core frequency by nearly 30% to three,633 MHz. In consequence, we noticed a peak CPU temperature of simply 61°C with a bundle energy of solely 88W.

Productiveness Benchmarks

Cinebench 2024, Multi Core

Now, let us take a look at Cinebench multi-core efficiency. Out of the field, the 9950X3D scored 2,448 factors, making it 4% quicker than the usual 9950X in our testing. Nevertheless, to be totally clear, we have now not had an opportunity to replace our 9950X knowledge with the most recent chipset drivers. When in comparison with the 285K, the 9950X3D was simply 3% slower, and our 285K knowledge is updated.

It is also price noting that when in comparison with the 9800X3D, we noticed a 77% efficiency enhance. Manually enabling max PBO resulted in solely a small 3% improve, whereas the power-efficient Eco mode decreased efficiency by 25%. We are going to look at energy consumption shortly.

Cinebench 2024, Single Core

As for single-core efficiency, it stays the identical as what we beforehand noticed from the 9950X, scoring 141 factors. The identical efficiency was achieved utilizing PBO, whereas the Eco mode resulted in only a one-point drop. When in comparison with the 285K, the 9950X3D was 6% slower.

Cinebench 2024, Energy Consumption

In relation to energy consumption, we measured 229W throughout the EPS12V rails, the identical energy draw because the 9950X and 7950X. Because of a destructive offset, PBO barely decreased energy consumption.

The Eco mode, which additionally led to a 25% efficiency discount, managed to chop energy consumption by nearly 60%, making it considerably extra power-efficient. It is spectacular that, for a similar energy draw because the 9600X, the 9950X3D delivers 87% extra efficiency on this check.

7-Zip File Supervisor Compression

Subsequent, we have now the 7-Zip File Manager Compression check, the place the 9950X3D leads, outperforming the 7950X3D by 7% and the 9950X by 15%. This efficiency margin is much like what we noticed between the 9700X and 9800X3D. Even when utilizing Eco mode, the 9950X3D nonetheless matched the 9950X, making it simply 4% slower than the 285K whereas sipping energy.

7-Zip File Supervisor Decompression

For decompression efficiency, the 9950X3D is similar to the 9950X and 7950X, making it 31% quicker than the 285K. Even in Eco mode, the 9950X3D was simply 2% slower than the 285K, so AMD is crushing Intel on this workload.

Blender Open Information

Shifting on to the Blender outcomes, the 9950X3D as soon as once more tops the charts, coming in simply 4% quicker than each the 285K and 9950X. Enabling Eco mode kills efficiency, dropping the samples per minute to 202 – an nearly 30% discount from inventory. Nevertheless, that is nonetheless roughly twice the efficiency of the 9600X for the same energy draw.

Corona 10 Benchmark

The 9950X3D additionally tops the charts in Corona, beating Intel’s 285K by a 13% margin and the earlier technology 7950X by 20%. Enabling max PBO solely supplied a further 4% enhance, however it nonetheless resulted in the most effective efficiency we have now seen from a mainstream platform to this point.

Adobe Photoshop 2025

Photoshop doesn’t take full benefit of high-core-count CPUs, so the 9950X3D doesn’t supply a lot enchancment over the 9800X3D. In actual fact, out of the field, it was barely slower. Nevertheless, in comparison with the 285K, the 9950X3D was practically 20% quicker, making for a big efficiency benefit.

Adobe Premiere Professional 2024

Premiere Professional advantages extra from greater core counts however to not the identical extent as 3D rendering assessments. The 9950X3D was 5% slower than the 285K however matched the 14900K when working in low-power Eco mode.

Gaming Benchmarks

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Time for the gaming benchmarks, and we’ll begin with Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Right here, the 9950X3D was in a position to match the 9800X3D, which is a superb end result, although actually to be anticipated given the 7950X3D matched the 7800X3D. This factors to the 9950X3D being a considerably higher all-rounder, particularly for individuals who additionally need high-end gaming efficiency from a workstation, because the 9950X3D is 52% quicker than the 285K right here.

The 7950X3D and 7800X3D had been additionally comparable in The Final of Us Half 1, and the identical is true of the 9950X3D and 9800X3D, with the dual-CCD Zen 4 half permitting for 210 fps, making it simply 7% quicker than the 285K on this instance.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Now, the Cyberpunk 2077 outcomes are fascinating. Right here, the 9950X3D allowed for 216 fps, making it simply 1% slower than the 9800X3D, so in different phrases, efficiency was a lot the identical. That is an amazing end result as a result of the 7950X3D is 8% slower than the 7800X3D right here, and we have seen a little bit of this prior to now, the place the dual-CCD mannequin will be anyplace from a bit slower to so much slower for gaming, and AMD has been working to unravel this.

Assetto Corsa Competizione

Scheduling points weren’t an issue for the 7950X3D in Assetto Corsa Competizione, as we will see it matched the 7800X3D. The identical is true of the 9950X3D, which was in a position to match – and even barely nudge forward of – the 9800X3D, delivering chart-topping outcomes. This additionally meant that the 9950X3D was an insane 77% quicker than the 285K on this recreation.

Remnant II

Remnant II is one other recreation the place we beforehand did not see any scheduling points, so the 9950X3D carried out as anticipated, delivering a number of extra frames than the 9800X3D, making it 33% quicker than the 285K.

Homeworld 3

The 9950X3D was a beast in Homeworld 3, regardless of slipping behind the 9800X3D by a small 4% margin. That is a wonderful end result given the 7950X3D was an enormous 25% slower than the 7800X3D. This additionally meant that the 9950X3D was 52% quicker than Intel’s 285K.

A Plague Story: Requiem

The 7950X3D had some body pacing points in A Plague Story: Requiem, and because of this, it ended up trailing the 7800X3D by a 6% margin when evaluating the common body charge and 20% slower for the 1% lows. The 9950X3D, alternatively, behaves just like the 9800X3D, delivering the identical wonderful efficiency, making it 58% quicker than the 285K. By the best way, we went again and re-tested the 285K, and sadly, in circumstances like this the place efficiency is horrible, Intel has been unable to enhance the scenario.

Counter-Strike 2

The 7950X3D was solely barely slower than the 7800X3D in Counter-Strike 2, however regardless of the difficulty was, it has been cleared up with the 9950X3D, which matched the 9800X3D nearly precisely. This additionally made it 29% quicker than the 285K.

Starfield

The previous-generation CPUs did not endure any main scheduling points in Starfield, so unsurprisingly, the 9950X3D performs like a 9800X3D right here, making it 11% quicker than the 285K.

Warhammer 40,000: House Marine 2

Subsequent up, we have now Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, and right here, the 9950X3D is delivering 9800X3D-like efficiency, which is nice information because the 7950X3D was 10% slower than the 7800X3D on this title. This additionally signifies that, in comparison with the 285K, the 9950X3D is 25% quicker.

Hitman 3

The Hitman 3 outcomes are actually stunning as a result of right here, the 9950X3D is definitely 6% quicker than the 9800X3D, permitting for 306 fps – a 14% enhance over the 285K. That is additionally an amazing end result, because the 7950X3D was 4% slower than the 7800X3D.

Watch Canines: Legion

Lastly, we have now Watch Canines: Legion, and right here, the 9950X3D was 3% quicker than the 9800X3D, making it an enormous 39% quicker than the 285K. General, wonderful gaming efficiency from the 9950X3D.

Energy Consumption When Gaming

Cyberpunk 2077

Now, on the subject of energy consumption, the 9950X3D consumed 44% extra energy than the 9800X3D in Cyberpunk 2077, matching the 12900K and consuming simply 8% much less energy than the 285K. However let us take a look at energy effectivity when factoring within the ensuing fps efficiency.

Cyberpunk 2077 – Watt per Body

Right here, we will see that when it comes to energy effectivity, the 9950X3D is similar to the 9600X and 7600X, making it 35% extra power-efficient than the 285K on this instance. Nonetheless, it was 48% much less environment friendly than the 9800X3D, although that hole was decreased to 17% when utilizing Eco mode.

The Final of Us Half 1

Measuring energy utilization in The Last of Us Part 1 noticed the 9950X3D devour 32% extra energy than the 9800X3D however 14% lower than the 285K. So, let’s have a look at how that works out when calculating effectivity.

The Final of Us Half 1 – Watt per Body

The 9950X3D is similar to the 5800X3D or 7600X on the subject of energy effectivity, making it round 30% much less environment friendly than the 9800X3D and 37% much less environment friendly than the 7950X3D. Nonetheless, when in comparison with the 285K, we’re taking a look at an nearly 20% enchancment in effectivity.

Efficiency Abstract

Here is the 12-game common knowledge, and no surprises – the 9950X3D is a beast, taking the highest spot and delivering basically the identical efficiency because the class-leading 9800X3D. Even in Eco mode, it was on common 8% quicker than the 7800X3D and 31% quicker than the 285K.

General, we’re solely taking a look at a 1.4% efficiency enhance from PBO, at the very least throughout the video games we examined, however this did enhance energy effectivity, so it is likely to be price contemplating. That mentioned, the general efficiency is excellent and remarkably constant for a dual-CCD processor – AMD has lastly nailed it.

X3D Turbo Mode: Enabled vs Disabled

Gigabyte made a giant deal out of X3D Turbo Mode after they first launched it of their BIOS, making daring claims about efficiency positive aspects. On the time, nobody actually knew what it did. Since then, we have realized that it is a principally ineffective characteristic that few would really use.

Briefly, this mode disables the second CCD totally, together with SMT assist, decreasing a processor just like the 9950X3D from a 16-core/32-thread CPU right down to an 8-core/8-thread one. Gigabyte additionally tweaks some reminiscence timings for higher gaming efficiency. The concept is to make sure that video games run on the CCD with the 3D V-Cache whereas disabling SMT, which may generally negatively influence gaming efficiency. Nevertheless, our testing signifies that leaving SMT enabled is usually helpful for gaming.

The largest difficulty with this characteristic is that it could possibly solely be enabled on the BIOS degree, that means the system should be utterly reset each time you need to toggle it on or off. It isn’t one thing you possibly can rapidly and simply change inside Home windows earlier than launching a recreation. If a toggle possibility had been out there, this might be an extremely helpful and sensible characteristic.

With X3D Turbo Mode enabled, we noticed a 3% enchancment on common throughout the dozen video games examined, with notable positive aspects in titles like Homeworld 3 and House Marine 2. Nevertheless, there have been additionally important efficiency drops in different video games, resembling Starfield and The Final of Us Half I.

Price per Body

For these solely fascinated with gaming, the 9950X3D does not make sense from a value perspective, on condition that it prices $700 and delivers comparable gaming efficiency to the less expensive 9800X3D.

After all, if value is not a priority, there is no purpose not to decide on the 9950X3D over the 9800X3D, as each ought to present basically the identical gaming efficiency. Nevertheless, for individuals who prioritize worth whereas nonetheless searching for high-end efficiency, the 9800X3D and even the 7800X3D is a a lot smarter selection.

For a higher-core-count CPU, although, the 9950X3D is the most effective all-around resolution, typically matching or beating the productiveness efficiency of the Core Extremely 9 285K, whereas smashing it for gaming and providing higher total worth.

Bonus DDR Outcomes

A fast further knowledge level earlier than our conclusion. G.Talent just lately despatched over their new Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 CL28-36-36-96 reminiscence equipment, so we determined to check the way it performs with the 9950X3D.

One of many identified advantages of 3D V-Cache processors is that they are not significantly delicate to reminiscence efficiency, so unsurprisingly, we noticed minimal enchancment with the lower-latency reminiscence equipment. That is excellent news, as 32GB CL30 kits will be discovered for below $100, making reminiscence an reasonably priced element.

What We Discovered

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a simple advice with only a few caveats. It is truthful to say this new Ryzen chip has cemented itself as the most effective all-around processor for these searching for final efficiency for each work and play. If productiveness is your major focus, the 9950X3D is probably going the best choice exterior of a brilliant costly Threadripper processor.

In workloads like Cinebench, the 9950X3D and Intel’s 285K had been neck and neck, with the Ryzen processor consuming simply over 10% much less energy. On the whole, they need to be extremely aggressive for productiveness duties, however as at all times, it is best to analysis particular software efficiency primarily based in your workflow.

The place Intel falls behind considerably is in gaming. Right here, the 9950X3D delivered, on common, 35% extra efficiency – a mind-blowing margin not like something seen earlier than in AMD vs. Intel comparisons, actually previous to the discharge of the 9800X3D.

It seems that AMD has successfully addressed the scheduling points that beforehand affected 3D V-Cache-enabled dual-CCD processors, at the very least primarily based on the video games we examined. After all, we might want to analyze this additional in future content material, however for now, we suggest testing a number of critiques to get a broader perspective, as completely different sources will cowl a variety of video games.

The important thing takeaway right here is that purchasing a dual-CCD processor with 3D V-Cache is now a much more dependable selection for avid gamers. There’s considerably much less have to depend on third-party purposes to manually repair scheduling points, making the general expertise a lot smoother.

The 9950X3D is by far the most effective dual-CCD processor AMD has launched – it simply works, and it really works exceptionally effectively.

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