Soon we could have a chip that merges the gaming performance of X3D, and the multi-core power of high core counts
Updated: Jan 22, 2025 8:55 am
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AMD has revealed early performance insights for its upcoming Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPUs, confirming that these chips will deliver gaming performance comparable to the current Ryzen 7 9800X3D. AMD Product and Business Development Manager Martijn Boonstra shared the details in an interview with VideoGamer, raising questions about how these high-end CPUs fit into the gaming market.
Boonstra explained that the gaming performance will remain largely on par while the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D boast more cores (16 and 12, respectively) than the 8-core Ryzen 7 9800X3D. “There will be some games that perform a bit better, and some games will perform a little worse,” Boonstra noted, “but on the whole, the experience is comparable.”
This parity is due to how most games utilise CPU cores. Titles that can use additional cores and threads may see slight gains with the Ryzen 9 chips. However, many games still favour single CCD designs like the 9800X3D’s, giving it the edge in scenarios where eight cores are optimal.
Aimed at professionals who game
AMD is positioning both of these chips as versatile CPUs for creators and professionals who game. While the gaming performance may not outpace the 9800X3D, AMD claims the new chips will excel in productivity tasks, outperforming Intel’s latest flagship CPUs. For instance, Tom’s Hardware notes that AMD says the Ryzen 9 9950X3D delivers approximately 10% better performance in multi-threaded applications like Photoshop than Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K.
This makes the Ryzen 9 lineup appealing for users who require high multi-threading performance for work but also want a capable gaming CPU. In contrast, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains squarely targeted at gaming enthusiasts seeking optimal performance without the extra cores. That’s if you can get a hold of one.
Final word
AMD’s decision to deliver gaming performance parity across its high-end Ryzen 9 chips and the more affordable Ryzen 7 9800X3D raises an important question: is the extra cost for additional cores worth it if most games won’t take advantage? While the new chips might not redefine gaming benchmarks, they represent a compelling choice for professionals needing more than gaming power.
For gamers, however, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains a top pick unless AMD unveils unexpected surprises with its pricing or additional features in the coming weeks. As we await the official launch, one thing is clear: AMD continues to blur the lines between gaming and productivity-focused CPUs.
