If you're in the process of building out a new gaming PC and you're looking for the best gaming processor, 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 is widely regarded as the best gaming processor on the market, surpassing both AMD's and Intel's offerings, and it's a more cost-effective choice for gamers compared to the pricier Intel Core Ultra 9 285K.
The Gamer's Choice: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 Desktop Processor
$489.00 at Amazon
AMD's X3D series processors are specifically optimized for gaming, delivering superior performance over even the most expensive standard CPUs from AMD, thanks to their innovative 3D V-Cache technology. While they are capable of handling multitasking, rendering, and creative tasks, their limited number of cores makes them less ideal for those specific uses. Priced at $489, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is not only $100 cheaper than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K ($589) but also $160 less than the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, yet it outperforms both in gaming. For anyone not tied to Intel or still using AM4 and not wanting to upgrade all 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 offers exceptional gaming performance, making it a more compelling option than other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. If you're building a rig with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D is the best way to maximize your GPU's 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 released two higher-end Ryzen 9 siblings in the Zen 5 "X3D" lineup: the 9950X3D priced at $699 and the 9900X3D at $599. These processors are considered the best gaming chips across both Intel and AMD. Currently out of stock, the 9950X3D and 9900X3D may not be necessary for pure gamers, who would benefit more from allocating their budget elsewhere. However, creators with a larger budget and a passion for gaming will see significant performance improvements with 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
$699.00 at Amazon | $699.00 at Best Buy | $699.00 at Newegg
Creative professionals who also want the best gaming chip on the market should look no further than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This processor boasts a max boost clock of 5.7GHz, 16 cores, 32 threads, and 144MB of L2-L3 cache. While its gaming performance is only marginally better than the 9800X3D, it significantly outperforms other Zen 5 X3D chips and Intel's offerings in productivity tasks.
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. Most gamers will find the Ryzen 7 9800X3D more than sufficient, especially at its more affordable price of $479. The 9950X3D is ideal for gamers who also use creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere, where it offers a 15% performance boost over the 9800X3D. For a purely gaming-focused build, 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 a great option for those who engage in creative work and enjoy gaming but have budget constraints that prevent them from opting for the 9950X3D. This processor features a max boost clock of 5.5GHz, 12 cores, 24 threads, and 140MB of L2-L3 cache. While we haven't reviewed it yet, its specs 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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