If you're considering AMD for your next PC upgrade, now is the perfect time to act. AMD's highly anticipated Zen 5 "X3D" processors—the Ryzen 9 9800X3D and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D—are now in stock and shipping from Amazon, currently priced slightly below their official retail value. These represent AMD's top gaming CPUs. From a value perspective, the 9800X3D is the ideal pick for dedicated gaming systems, while the 9950X3D takes the lead for users who also handle demanding creative tasks.
The Gamer's Top Pick: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
$479.00 Save 1% $472.02 at Amazon
For a gaming-focused build, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D offers exceptional value, delivering gaming performance nearly on par with the more expensive 9900X3D and 9950X3D models. It features a max boost clock of 5.2GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, and a massive 104MB of combined L2 and L3 cache. While it capably handles multitasking, rendering, and content creation, its core count means it falls short of the 9950X3D in heavy productivity workloads. For pure gaming performance at this price, however, it's an absolute powerhouse.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers outstanding gaming performance, making it a more compelling choice than other recent CPUs like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. If you're building a system with a high-end graphics card, the 9800X3D is the best way to unlock the full potential of your GPU."
The Creator's Choice: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
$699.00 Save 3% $678.00 at Amazon
For creative professionals who also want the best possible gaming performance, the 9950X3D is the clear choice. This powerful chip reaches a max boost clock of 5.7GHz and packs 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache. In gaming, it's only marginally faster than the 9800X3D. For productivity applications, however, it significantly outperforms both the 9800X3D and 9900X3D, as well as any competing Intel processor.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"While the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D may be the most powerful gaming CPU available, it isn't the automatic choice for everyone. Most gamers will find the more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D at $479 perfectly sufficient. The 9950X3D is specifically designed for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro, where it delivers up to a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D."
