AMD is preparing to expand its Ryzen 7000X3D series with the launch of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D processors, built on the “Zen 5” architecture. These new desktop CPUs are scheduled for release around March and are expected to feature an increase in core counts, potentially offering 12 and 16 cores over the existing Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which is equipped with 8 cores and 16 threads.

The introduction of these higher-core-count models raises questions about their potential gaming performance, as AMD’s 8-core 3D V-Cache processors have historically dominated in gaming benchmarks, hitting what many consider the “sweet spot” for gaming performance. While more cores generally benefit productivity tasks and multi-threaded workloads, their impact on gaming has been less pronounced.
Performance Expectations
A recent report by VideoGamer shed light on what enthusiasts can expect from these upcoming Ryzen 9 X3D chips. The publication obtained comments from Martijn Boonstra, a product and business development manager at AMD. Boonstra indicated that the gaming performance of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D will be comparable to that of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, stating:
“Our new chips will provide similar overall gaming performance to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. There will be some games that perform a bit better—if the game engine utilizes more cores and threads—and some games will perform a little worse (if the game engine favors a single CCD configuration), but on the whole, the experience is comparable.”
This suggests that the higher core counts of the Ryzen 9 X3D models may offer benefits in games optimized for multi-threaded performance but will not uniformly outperform the 8-core Ryzen 7 9800X3D in all scenarios.
Pricing and Availability

While Boonstra refrained from disclosing specific pricing details for the upcoming processors, he mentioned that AMD plans to announce final pricing closer to launch. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D currently retails for $479, though availability remains inconsistent. It remains to be seen how AMD will position the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D within their existing product lineup and whether they will carry a significant price premium.
Market Position
AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology has proven to be a key differentiator in gaming performance, and the Ryzen 7000X3D series is marketed toward gamers and creators seeking high-performance solutions. Boonstra emphasized this positioning, stating that the new chips are designed to appeal to users across different platforms:
“Ryzen 9000X3D Series desktop processors are perfect for gamers and content creators alike…whether you are already on the AM5 platform, on AM4 or another platform, these products are sure to impress.”
With the AM5 platform gaining traction and support for DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0 becoming more widespread, AMD is likely aiming to attract upgraders and new adopters as part of its strategy to maintain a competitive edge in the desktop CPU market.
Our Verdict
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D are shaping up to be intriguing additions to AMD’s lineup, particularly for users who require additional cores for demanding workloads alongside gaming. However, the lack of a clear performance uplift over the Ryzen 7 9800X3D in gaming may temper expectations. More details, including pricing and official benchmarks, are expected as the March release window approaches.
Sources: VideoGamer, Tom’s Hardware, Wccftech