If you're in the process of building a new gaming PC and are on the hunt for the best gaming processor, look no further. The recently released AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 desktop processor is currently back in stock on Amazon at its retail price of $489, shipped. This processor stands out as the top choice for gamers, surpassing even the more expensive Intel Core Ultra 9 285K.
The Gamer's Choice: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
AMD's X3D series processors are specifically optimized for gaming, leveraging AMD's 3D V-Cache technology to deliver superior performance. While they excel in gaming, these processors might not be the best fit for multitasking, rendering, or creation due to their limited number of cores. Priced at $489, the 9800X3D is not only $100 cheaper than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K ($589) but also $160 less than the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, while outperforming both in gaming scenarios. Unless you're a die-hard Intel fan or still using AM4 and reluctant to upgrade your components, the 9800X3D is the clear choice for your next gaming PC.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is exceptionally powerful for gaming, making it a more compelling choice than other recent releases like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. If you're building a rig with a high-end graphics card, the 9800X3D is your best bet for maximizing performance."
The other two Zen 5 "X3D" chips are out of stock
Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which was the first to debut this year, AMD introduced 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. Currently, the 9950X3D and 9900X3D are out of stock. However, for gamers focused solely on gaming, the 9800X3D remains the best option, allowing you to allocate your budget elsewhere. Creators with deeper pockets who also enjoy gaming might find the increased core count and cache of the new Ryzen 9 processors worth the investment.
The Creator's Choice: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
$699.00 at Amazon
$699.00 at Best Buy
$699.00 at Newegg
For creative professionals who demand the best gaming performance, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the ultimate choice. It features a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While it offers only a slight edge over the 9800X3D in gaming, its superior performance in productivity tasks makes it a standout.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review by Jacqueline Thomas
"The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is arguably the most powerful gaming processor on the market, yet it's not universally superior. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, priced at $479, offers excellent performance for most users. The 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also use demanding creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it delivers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a pure gaming build, however, you might want to save the extra $220 for a better graphics card."
The Middleman: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
$599.00 at Amazon
$599.00 at Best Buy
$599.00 at Newegg
The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the perfect middle ground for those engaged in creative work and gaming but need to stick to a budget. It boasts a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. Though we haven't reviewed this chip yet, its specs suggest performance that falls between the 9950X3D and 9800X3D for productivity tasks and multi-core workloads. In gaming, it should perform similarly to the other two.
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