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The Ryzen 9 7950X3D is the latest high-performance processor from AMD’s Ryzen line-up. It promises to offer a significant upgrade over its predecessors with a whopping 16 cores and 32 threads, and the great 144MB of cache, making it one of the most powerful CPUs currently available on the market.
Whether you’re a hardcore gamer, a content creator, or a professional in need of intensive computing power, the 7950X3D is designed to deliver top-of-the-line performance, speed, and efficiency. So, let’s dive in and explore what makes this new processor a game-changer in the world of computing. Below is a Ryzen 9 7950X3D review roundup, plus our own overview of the CPU.
Ryzen 9 7950X3D review roundup
| Reviewer | Review |
|---|---|
| Eurogamer | “Strong performer, well worth picking up” |
| Guru 3D | “Recommended” |
| Tom’s Hardware | 4.5/5 – “Pricey…fastest gaming chip in the world” |
| Anandtech | “For gamers…still respectable compute” |
| The Verge | “Great PC Gaming performance” |
Ryzen 9 7950X3D overview
The 7950X3D, AMD’s latest flagship chip, is priced at $699 and competes directly with Intel’s Core i9-13900K, which has eight performance cores, 16 efficiency cores, and a total of 32 threads, at a retail price of around $589. Although Intel’s primary Core i9 is less expensive, AMD also has to compete with Intel’s new $699 Core i9-13900KS processor, which is the first to break the 6GHz barrier at stock speeds.
AMD has promised that its X3D chips will outperform Intel’s in both gaming and productivity while using less power. To determine the accuracy of this claim, we compared AMD’s flagship 7950X3D to Intel’s Core i9-13900K and Core i9-13900KS chips.
Ryzen 9 7950X3D: Specs
| Specs | Ryzen 9 7950X3D |
|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 32 |
| Base clock speed / boost clock speed | 4.2GHz / 5.7GHz |
| Cache L3 | 128MB |
| TDP | 120W |
| Launch MSRP | $699 |
One of the most significant and exciting aspects of the new Ryzen 9 7950X3D from AMD is the inclusion of the innovative 3D V-cache technology. This technology introduces an additional layer of cache memory, which provides a massive boost to the processor’s performance and efficiency. Specifically, the 7950X3D features an impressive 144MB of cache, which is divided into three levels of cache: L1, L2, and L3.
The first two levels of cache (L1 and L2) are similar to those found in previous Ryzen processors, providing fast and efficient access to frequently used data. However, the third level of cache (L3) is where the 3D V-cache technology comes into play. This cache layer is stacked on top of the existing L3 cache, using a vertical stacking design that increases the amount of cache memory available while maintaining low power consumption.
The result is a significant improvement in overall processor performance, with faster data access and reduced latency. This is particularly beneficial for tasks that require large amounts of data to be processed quickly, such as high-resolution gaming, video editing, and other content creation tasks. The 3D V-cache technology is a game-changer for the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, giving it an edge over competing processors and cementing its position as one of the most powerful CPUs on the market.
Ryzen 9 7950X3D: Performance
With the release date of AMD’s new 7000X3D processors now available, and reviews starting to emerge, it is becoming clear that these chips could determine the future of AMD’s processor line and potentially shift the balance in the ongoing Team Red vs. Team Blue battle with Intel processors. According to public benchmarks conducted thus far, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D from AMD is giving the Core i9-13900K from Intel a run for its money, with similar levels of performance observed in most of the games tested. However, there are some notable exceptions where the X3D outperforms the Core i9-13900K by a significant margin, showcasing the immense capabilities of AMD’s new chip.
This is particularly significant for gamers and content creators who require high-performance processing power to handle demanding tasks with ease. With the competition heating up, it will be interesting to see how AMD’s new processors perform in real-world scenarios and whether they can indeed surpass Intel’s offerings, marking a significant turning point in the battle for processor supremacy.
Ryzen 9 7950X3D: Conclusion
In a preemptive move against AMD’s new Ryzen 9 7950X3D, Intel launched its own $699 Core i9-13900KS processor, boasting an impressive 6GHz boost clock and a premium price tag. However, despite these features, it offers only marginally better performance than the more affordable $589 Core i9-13900K.
As such, the latter is the true contender against AMD’s new chip. Both the K and KS versions of the Core i9 suffer the same fate when compared to the Ryzen 9 7950X3D. At stock settings, the 7950X3D is 12% faster at 1080p gaming, and even when overclocked, the Intel chips still fall short, trailing behind by 9%. This is disappointing news for Intel, as its processors consume more power but cannot outperform the Ryzen 9 7950X3D.
The Ryzen 9 7950X3D from AMD is an impressive feat, boasting a 26% improvement over its predecessor, the 7950X, and giving AMD’s Zen 4 architecture the overall performance lead. This performance gain is nearly on par with the 32% improvement seen with the previous generation Ryzen 7 5800X3D over the non-V-Cache 5800X, despite both chips featuring a single CCD.
This highlights the success of AMD’s new thread scheduling techniques, enabling the company to leverage 3D V-Cache acceleration on a dual-CCD processor effectively. The Ryzen 9 7950X3D is a true game-changer, and it will be interesting to see how Intel responds in the ongoing battle for processor supremacy.