AMD has shared some surprising insights into its upcoming Ryzen 9 9950X3D processor. Despite boasting higher clock speeds, core counts, and more V-Cache, it's expected to deliver "comparable" gaming performance to the already-impressive Ryzen 9 9800X3D.
Comparable Performance, Higher Price?
According to Martijn Boonstra, AMD's Product and Business Development Manager, the 9950X3D and 9900X3D are designed to provide similar overall gaming experiences to the 9800X3D. This is despite the new chips expected to be priced higher, which will be revealed closer to launch.
Boonstra explained that performance differences will depend on the game engine. Some titles that utilize multiple cores and threads may see slight improvements on the newer CPUs. In contrast, games that favor a single-CCD configuration may perform slightly better on the 9800X3D. Overall though, the performance is expected to be very close.
The 9800X3D: Still a Gaming Powerhouse
The 9800X3D has been widely hailed as one of the best gaming CPUs, offering excellent value for its performance. Its overclocking capabilities have also been a huge draw, with overclockers pushing its maximum stable clock to a whopping 6.9GHz.
9950X3D vs 9800X3D: On Paper
On paper, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D appears to be a significant upgrade, boasting:
- A maximum boost frequency of 5.7 GHz vs. the 9800X3D's 5.2 GHz
- 144MB of AMD's second-generation V-Cache vs. 104 MB
- Eight additional cores and 16 more threads
Despite these advantages, AMD’s own testing suggests that gaming performance will remain similar to the 9800X3D. However, it is speculated that the overclocking potential of the 9950X3D may surpass the feats reached by the 9800X3D, but that remains to be seen.
The Pricing Question
The big question remains: price. The 9800X3D has been lauded for its bang-for-the-buck, making it a very attractive option for gamers. AMD will need to carefully consider pricing for the 9950X3D and 9900X3D to avoid alienating the market.
Boonstra stated that the Ryzen 9000X3D series processors are "perfect for gamers and content creators alike" and that these products are "sure to impress". Both CPUs are expected to release in January, but official release dates are still not set.
Source: VideoGamer
