The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is a massive upgrade to AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X in terms of gaming performance even if it trades some of its thermal limits and base clock speeds to do so.
Juggling a 16-core offering across 2 CCDs of 8 cores each with one having the benefit of the stacked L3 cache, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D is a complex but impressive chip to look at given its unique design and gaming prowess even as it operates as a lower TDP of 120W versus the 7950X’s 170W rating. While there are a few differences, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D is a spitting image of the older 7950X with a few tricks up its sleeve.
AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X3D 16-Core, 32-Thread Desktop Processor
Ideal For Gaming, Decent At Productivity
The 16-core, 32-thread desktop AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processor is AMD’s answer to a resurgent Intel 13th generation processor lineup as it attempts to wrest back the gaming crown with the same technology that made the last generation 5800X3D such a powerful CPU.With 128MB of L3 cache on offer, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D leverages its 3D V-Cache muscle in gaming as well as its powerful new Zen 4-based cores in productivity to make for a potent enthusiast-grade CPU in the offing.
AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X3D Specs
Spec-wise, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D is essentially the same as the 7950X, with just double the amount of L3 cache, going from64 MBin the 7950X to128 MBin the 7950X3D and a lower TDP of120W. It still offers the same 16 cores, 32 threads, and 16 MB of L2 cache. While the Ryzen 9 7950X3D has a lower base clock at 4.2GHz, it does extend its boost clocks to 5.7GHz, matching the Ryzen 9 7950X while allowing for a lower TDP and therefore cooling requirements relatively.
If you are interested in a more detailed run-down of how both processors differ from each other and how they stack in terms of performance,you can check out our detailed guide here.
The Ryzen 7000 Series X3D L3 Cache Debacle: More Is Definitely Better
Cache on a processor is faster by far compared to any other form of storage or memory and the X3D-nomenclature processors are equipped with copious amounts of it to ensure that they perform considerably better than their counterparts from both AMD and Intel. While the L3 cache is slower than L1 and L2 caches on processors, it does happen to be more plentiful and still significantly fasterthan state-of-the-art DDR5 memoryand storage options which allows the processor to “do more” faster at much lower latencies than accessing storage and memory repeatedly.
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In gaming, the cache will process everything from AI-based NPC movements to the animation of trees and rain. If the cache fills up, the data reading then goes to the RAM, and the CPU then has to wait for the data to then transfer back before displaying the data. Data reading going from the cache to the RAM can cause FPS dips and “hitching”, where the game essentially slows down and makes it feel like you’re playing in slow motion, rather than simply losing frames.
AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X3D Prices
The Ryzen 9 7950X3D launched at$700in the US and has held its prices firm for the most part but does tend to trade at a discount when it comes to various US retailers. Currently, thebest retail price we can find for this is on Amazonwhere it trades at a 10% discount for $630, which means that if you are on a budgetyou can spend this towards a better motherboardfor your creator-centric 16-core juggernaut this summer.
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The 7950X3D launched at around€800or about$720 USDin Europe and seems to be holding that price tag there more firmly than its US counterparts.
AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X3D Release Date
The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D launched on the 28th of Feb 2023 alongside the 12-core, 24-thread Ryzen 9 7900X3D. AMD’s current gaming CPU champion, the AMD Ryzen 7800X3D released on April 6th, 2023. These CPUs come six months after the initial launch of the Ryzen 7000 series as AMD renews its focus on gamers and creators in a bid to take the performance crown from Intel for gaming.
