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Is the Ryzen 9 7950X3D good?

AMD's forthcoming Ryzen 9 7950X3D will be one powerful processor that the firm hopes will prove its 3D V-cache prowess
Last Updated on April 21, 2023
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The new AMD X3D SKUs are coming to kill. The top-end Ryzen 9 7950X3D is the highest-end CPU from the 7000-series with the 3D V-cache technology. Whether or not you’re looking for the best gaming rig on the market, the 7950X3D is objectively the best CPU you’ll find.

The Ryzen 9 7950X3D is a 16-core CPU with an extra 64MB cache memory on top of the already big L3 cache memory of the 7950 non-3D. This technology makes the processor faster and stronger. And thanks to AMD’s Zen 4 architecture, the clock speed sacrifice is not too high as the X3D version has the same 5.7GHz boost speed as the non-X3D. However, it loses a bit of base clock speed, so users will have to keep that in mind.

Ryzen 9 7950X3D vs Ryzen 9 7950X: specs

Now that we know that the price of the new 7950X3D is going to be the same as the non-X3D, $699, we can compare the specs more consciously. AMD did a bold move by keeping the same price and undercutting Intel’s competition. The Intel i9-13900KS can be found right now for over $750. So, AMD has come forward really aggressively against the competition.

SpecsRyzen 9 7950X3DRyzen 9 7950X
Cores / Threads16 / 3216 / 32
Base clock speed / boost clock speed4.2GHz / 5.7GHz4.5GHz / 5.7GHz
Cache L3128MB64MB
TDP120W170W
Launch MSRP$699$699
Ryzen 9 7950X3D and 7950X specs comparison

The Ryzen 9 7950X3D is a high-end desktop processor that features 16 cores and 32 threads, which makes it well-suited for demanding tasks, such as video editing, and content creation, but especially for gaming environments. The processor has a base clock speed of 4.2GHz and a boost clock speed of 5.7GHz, providing fast and smooth performance.

The Ryzen 9 7950X3D also has a larger L3 Cache of 128MB, which can help improve the overall performance of the processor by reducing the number of memory accesses needed for frequently used data. Additionally, the TDP (thermal design power) of the processor is 120W, which is lower than the 170W TDP of the Ryzen 9 7950X.

This can potentially result in lower power consumption and improved thermals, making the Ryzen 9 7950X3D an attractive option for those looking for a high-performance processor that is also energy-efficient. The launch MSRP for the Ryzen 9 7950X3D is $699, making it one of the most affordable high-end desktop processors available on the market.

Camilo is a contributor for PC Guide. He's been into tech since he was a teen, surfing through the web and local stores trying to find the cheapest way to play the latest Half-Life on his old Windows