AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D vs Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Which Is the Better CPU?

Ryzen 9 7950X3D meets Ryzen 9 9950X3D. Discover which one is superior in gaming, benchmarks, and multi-threading.

The Ryzen 9 7950X3D and 9950X3D are both 16-core, 32-thread CPUs from AMD. They are both compatible with the AM5 platform but have key differences. The most significant difference includes the CPU microarchitecture, which is Zen 5 in the 9950X3D and Zen 4 in the 7950X3D. Alongside that, the Vcache layout is also different.

With the 9950X3D, AMD has opted to place the 3D-Vcache below the CPU chiplet, whereas earlier models, such as the 7950X3D, had it placed on top of one CCD. Placing the 3D-Vcache beneath the CPU die resulted in better thermal headroom, leading to higher clock speeds and better sustained performance. Below is a comprehensive comparison of the two, which will help you decide which one to get.

Table of Contents

[show]

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D vs Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Detailed Comparison

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D vs Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Detailed Comparison

Specs Comparison

Ryzen 9 7950X3D Processor (Image via AMD)

Here are the specs of Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 7950X3D:

Specifications	Ryzen 9 7950X3D	Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Architecture	Zen 4	Zen 5
Core/Thread count	16/32	16/32
Max clock speed	5.7 GHz	5.7 GHz
L3 cache	128 MB	128 MB
RAM support	DDR5-5200	DDR5-5600
PCIe Gen support	Gen 5	Gen 5
Platform Socket	AM5	AM5
Thermal design power (TDP)	120W	170W
Manufacturing nodes	5nm	4nm

Both CPUs have very few differences spec-wise. However, a closer examination reveals a multitude of changes, some of which strongly suggest opting for the newer 9950X3D over the older one. The primary difference arises from changes in the CPU microcode, as well as the contrasting behavior of the AGESA BIOS microcode.

Earlier, with the 7950X3D, you would have to disable the non-vache CCD entirely or suffer an immense performance penalty. Now, with the 9950X3D, the new AGESA update enables Windows to automatically determine whether a task is a gaming workload or a background task, and it efficiently assigns gaming workloads to the Vcache CCD and other functions to the Non-Vcache CCD. This is a significant benefit, as most average users of this platform lack a proper understanding of how to use Process Lasso effectively.

However, like every automated system, there are a few drawbacks. Sometimes, especially during gaming hours, if a Windows background task appears, Windows will allocate it to the 3D-Vcache CCDs. For this particular reason, many opt for the 9800X3D or disable the non-VCache CCD on the 9950X3D. The 7950X3D suffered from these exact problems, and it didn’t have an automated process to assign workloads.

Additionally, the memory controller within the new Zen 5 CPU is significantly better than that in Zen 4. DDR5 8000 is easily obtainable on the latest Ryzen CPUs.

Synthetic Performance Comparison

Ryzen 9 9950X3D Processor (Image via AMD)

From the benchmark below, we can clearly see that the two CPUs are not that different in synthetic tasks. However, in real-life use cases, such as gaming, these two have many parallels. The 7950X3D can be tuned, and its scores can be significantly increased; the same can be said for the 9950X3D. For the best benchmark scores, choosing either option won’t make a significant difference.

Benchmark	AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D	AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Cinebench R23 Single-Core	2150	2200
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core	34600 (approx)	39000
Geekbench 6 Single-Core	3400	3500
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core	32000	37000

Gaming Performance Comparison

The data is sourced from Testing Game’s YouTube channel, where the person conducted the tests using all the mentioned games at high presets, with a DDR5 6000T/s Dual Channel Memory kit and the RTX 4090 at 1080p.

Games	AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D	AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Cyberpunk: 2077	139 FPS	161 FPS
CS:2	624 FPS	798 FPS
Stalker 2	84 FPS	103 FPS
Forza Horizon 5	281 FPS	298 FPS
Oblivion Remastered	82 FPS	97 FPS
PUBG	319 FPS	389 FPS

In terms of gaming, the clear winner is the 9950X3D, and there isn’t a second glance needed at this.

Price Comparison

The 9950X3D currently retails for $699 on Newegg.com, and the 7950X3D for $600. Pricing information is accurate as of September 30 and is subject to change without notice.

Final Verdict on AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D vs Ryzen 9 9950X3D

The 9950X3D excels in every aspect, from software-based enhancements to improved process scheduling, stronger IPC, and multicore performance, and stands out as an incredible gaming CPU. While it’s not perfect, like the 9800X3D, it still offers workstation users the peace of mind that comes with being the fastest CPU overall, making the 9950X3D a winner.

Purchasing the 7950X3D makes little to no sense unless you plan to tune it and utilize Process Lasso for gaming and applications. Doing that changes things significantly. Still, the heat output is substantially higher than that of the 9950X3D, requiring you to purchase a potent AIO to keep it cool. It’s not that the 9950X3D runs cool, but its heat output is significantly lower than that of the 7950X3D.

We provide the latest news and “How To’s” for Tech content. Meanwhile, you can check out the following articles related to PC GPUs, CPU and GPU comparisons, mobile phones, and more:

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D vs Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Which Is the Better CPU?