As anticipated, AMD has officially revealed its new Ryzen 9000 processors featuring 3D V-Cache technology, which enables cache stacking for improved performance. The high-end lineup includes two key models: the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, touted by AMD as the “best processor in the world for gamers and creators,” and the Ryzen 9 9900X3D.
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D took center stage during AMD’s CES 2025 presentation. This processor features 16 cores and 32 threads based on the Zen 5 architecture, with a maximum boost clock of 5.7 GHz, an impressive 144 MB of cache, and a thermal design power (TDP) of 170 W.
In benchmark comparisons, AMD pitted the Ryzen 9 9950X3D against its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D. While both processors share the same core count and maximum clock speed, the 9950X3D offers 16 MB more cache. As a result, the Zen 5-powered Ryzen 9 9950X3D delivers an 8% performance improvement (in average FPS) across 40 games tested, showcasing its enhanced capabilities.
Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
When compared to its direct competitor, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D shows an impressive performance advantage of 20%. This is particularly evident in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and Starfield, where the Ryzen 9 9950X3D outperforms Intel’s chip by 36%, 27%, and 30%, respectively.
In content creation tasks, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D also demonstrates an advantage, delivering a 13% better performance than its predecessor and a 10% improvement over the Intel rival.
As for the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, AMD has shared fewer details, but it will feature 12 cores and 24 threads, with a maximum boost of 5.5 GHz, 140 MB of cache, and a 120W TDP.
Both processors with 3D V-Cache technology are expected to be available by the first quarter of 2025, likely before the end of March.
