Release day has arrived for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition processor. It has been nearly a month since AMD officially announced the “Incredible” new flagship desktop CPU, and almost a week since we first started seeing it appear online as a pre-order on Amazon in the US. Those quickly sold out, but now we’re starting to see the 9950X3D back in stock globally.

This upgraded model is largely aimed at high-end systems used for tasks such as 3D rendering, game engine compilation, complex content creation, and AI workflows. Those looking for a solely gaming chip should probably stick to the 9800X3D (or 9850X3D). Nonetheless, the new Ryzen 9 chip is finally here, so here’s where you can find it in the US, UK, and Canada.

When is the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 release time? Can I pre order it?

AMD stated that the new Ryzen 9 processor would be released on April 22, without a specific release time. Pre-orders actually started showing up online as early as April 16, but many quickly sold out (particularly in the US). Now that April 22 has arrived, retailers are starting to open up wide availability, with a common release time of 9 AM Eastern Time.

• Pacific Time (PDT) – 6 AM
• Eastern Time (EDT) – 9 AM
• London, UK (BST) – 2 PM

Do keep in mind that not every region and retailer will follow this common hardware launch time, and we tend to see Canadian storefronts lag behind. Meanwhile, early sales are still happening on Amazon in the UK, albeit for an inflated price.

Should I upgrade to the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition?

There has been relatively limited review coverage of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, but from what we can see, this processor should definitely be reserved for those seeking the best of the best. In particular, users who seek high-end performance with 16 cores and 32 threads for heavy multitasking workflows. It tops multi-core and multi-threaded benchmarks, and the massive 192MB of L3 Cache serves its purpose for boosting productivity in high-end workflows.

If you’re just looking for a powerful CPU for gaming, then the Ryzen 7 series offers plenty enough right now. If you already own the original version of the 9950X3D, then the new Dual Edition chip offers up to 13% better performance in AI & Simulation workflows (as per AMD’s official benchmarks), but the hefty jump in price may be tough to swallow.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.