If you're in the process of building a new gaming PC and searching for the best gaming processor, look no further. The recently released AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 desktop processor is now back in stock on Amazon at its retail price of $489 shipped. This processor stands out as the top choice for gamers, surpassing both the more expensive Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and AMD's own Ryzen 9 9950X in gaming performance.
The Gamer's Choice: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
- Price: $489.00 at Amazon
AMD's X3D series processors are specifically optimized for gaming, outperforming even the most expensive standard AMD CPUs thanks to the innovative 3D V-Cache technology. While they can handle multitasking, rendering, and creation tasks, their limited number of cores means they are not ideal for these purposes. At $489, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is $100 cheaper than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K ($589) and $160 less than the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, yet it offers superior gaming performance. Unless you're committed to Intel or still using AM4 and reluctant to upgrade, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the clear choice for your next gaming PC.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers exceptional gaming performance, making it an easy recommendation over other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. If you're building a gaming rig with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D will maximize the performance of your GPU."
The other two Zen 5 "X3D" chips are out of stock
Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, AMD released two higher-end Ryzen 9 models in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D, priced at $699, and the 9900X3D, priced at $599. These processors represent the pinnacle of gaming performance across both AMD and Intel platforms. Currently, the 9950X3D and 9900X3D are out of stock. However, dedicated gamers should opt for the 9800X3D and allocate their savings elsewhere. Creators with larger budgets and a dual interest in gaming and content creation will benefit from the superior performance of the Ryzen 9 processors due to their increased core count and cache.
The Creator's Choice: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
- Price: $699.00 at Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg
Creative professionals who also seek the best gaming performance should consider the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. It features a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only a marginal improvement over the 9800X3D in gaming, it significantly outperforms in productivity tasks, outshining other Zen 5 X3D chips and Intel's offerings.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the most powerful gaming processor available, yet it's not the best choice for everyone. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, is sufficient for most gamers. The 9950X3D is ideal for those who both game and use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, offering a 15% performance boost in these tasks compared to the 9800X3D. For a pure gaming build, however, saving the extra $220 for a better graphics card might be more beneficial."
The Middleman: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
- Price: $599.00 at Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg
The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the perfect middle ground for those engaged in creative work and gaming but need to stay within a budget. It offers a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. Although we haven't reviewed this processor yet, its specifications suggest performance that falls between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In gaming, it's expected to perform similarly to the other two.
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