AMD has officially launched its new flagship processor, the Ryzen 9 9950X, alongside the Ryzen 9 9900X. These Zen 5 chips bring impressive overall performance and efficiency, but may not be the best option for dedicated gamers.
Performance Overview
The 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X and 12-core 9900X offer substantial gains in productivity tasks, setting new records in benchmarks like Cinebench 2024. However, gaming performance sees more modest improvements:
- Gaming: Less than 4% average gain over previous gen at 1080p
- Productivity: New records in Cinebench and Blender rendering tests
- Power efficiency: Lower consumption than Intel counterparts, but higher than mid-range Zen 5 chips
Thermal Performance
One standout feature is the excellent thermal performance:
- Ryzen 9 9900X: 74.4°C under full load
- Ryzen 9 9950X: 68.3°C under full load
This is significantly cooler than previous generation chips and Intel competitors, which often exceed 90°C.
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| The Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC air cooler: essential for maintaining optimal temperatures for high-performance CPUs |
Pricing and Value
The new chips come with premium price tags:
- Ryzen 9 9900X: $649
- Ryzen 9 9950X: $499
These prices are notably higher than current 7000-series equivalents, which have seen discounts since launch.
Gaming Considerations
For gamers, the older Ryzen 7 7800X3D remains a top choice:
- Often matches or exceeds 9950X gaming performance
- Currently priced at $365
- Better value for pure gaming builds
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| Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE: a robust cooling solution for gamers seeking value without breaking the bank |
Cooling Requirements
Despite improved efficiency, the 9950X still has a 170W TDP, requiring robust cooling solutions:
- High-end air coolers (e.g., Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC) are suitable
- AIO liquid coolers recommended for best performance
- Budget option: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
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| The Arctic Liquid Freezer II 420: designed to manage the high thermal demands of powerful CPUs like the Ryzen 9 9950X |
Conclusion
The Ryzen 9 9950X showcases AMD's continued innovation in CPU design, offering exceptional multi-threaded performance and improved efficiency. However, its high price and modest gaming gains make it a better fit for content creators and professionals rather than pure gaming enthusiasts. For now, the 7800X3D remains the value king for gamers, while we await potential X3D variants of the 9000-series chips.