AMD’s high canine put to the check
Up to date: Nov 14, 2024 2:32 pm
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The Ryzen 9 9950X is the present AMD flagship CPU, and for good purpose. This chip comes geared up with the 16-cores and 32-threads we’re used to, however it maximizes effectivity. We all know that AMD acquired some backlash for the 9000 sequence (particularly these belonging to the Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 prefix), however we’re blissful to say there are not any points with the 9950X.
This isn’t merely the most effective CPU for gaming efficiency. It’s for individuals who wish to get essentially the most out of their PCs for productiveness functions, together with rendering, simulation, or modifying workloads. That’s to not say it may’t recreation; in reality, the other. Due to its unbelievable single-core efficiency, gaming is a breeze. Right here’s what we considered AMD’s newest and biggest.
Specs
- Cores: 16
- Threads: 32
- Increase pace: 5.7 GHz (Max Increase)
- L1/L2/L3 Cache: 80KB/1MB/64MB
- Default TDP: 170W
What We Assume
The 9950X is really a powerhouse of multi-core efficiency, being overwhelmed barely by Intel’s poorly acquired Core Extremely 9 285K. However Intel can’t appear to match the gaming efficiency of AMD’s newest and biggest. There’s huge enhancements current over the 7000 sequence, and compatibility with older AM5 motherboards stay, saving you a buck.
Causes to Purchase
- Robust Single and Multi-core efficiency
- Works with 600 sequence AM5 motherboards
- Improves on effectivity over the 7000 sequence
- Robust PBO efficiency however exhausting to chill when enabled
Causes to Keep away from
- Outshined in multi-core efficiency by 285K, not with PBO enabled
- Not as environment friendly as Intel’s new CPUs
- Will probably be outperformed in gaming by cheaper 9800X3D on launch
Specs and comparability
| Part | Ryzen 9 9950X | Ryzen 9 7950X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 | 16 |
| Threads | 32 | 32 |
| Base frequency | 4.3 GHz | 4.5 GHz |
| Increase frequency | 5.7 GHz | 5.7 GHz |
| Reminiscence pace | 6400 MT/s | 5200 MT/s |
| PCI Categorical lanes | 24 (Gen 5) | 24 (Gen 5) |
| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| L3 cache | 64 MB (shared) | 64 MB (shared) |
| TDP / PPT | 170W / 230W | 170W / 230W |
| Course of dimension | 4 nm | 5 nm |
| Socket | AM5 (suitable with X870, X670, B650, A620) | AM5 (suitable with X870, X670, B650, A620) |
The Ryzen 9 9950X brings some delicate but necessary modifications over the 7950X. For instance, its shift from a 5 nm to a 4 nm course of improves processor effectivity and thermals (one thing AMD has taken very severely this time round).
Whereas core counts, thread counts, and enhance frequencies stay constant, the 9950X’s greater reminiscence pace at 6400 MT/s presents an edge in bandwidth-dependent purposes, which might translate to real-world features in multitasking and memory-intensive workloads.
The marginally diminished base frequency of 4.3 GHz (down from the 7950X’s 4.5 GHz) might appear like a step again, however with a constant peak enhance frequency, it’s prone to have little impression in your workloads. The transfer to 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes ensures assist for the most recent high-speed storage and GPUs, making this chip a forward-looking selection for these wanting sturdy improve paths on AM5.
Design and Gallery
The 9950X is just not a lot completely different, inside or out. There’s a larger push to attain most effectivity during the last era, however we’ve already touched upon that.
Earlier
Subsequent
One in every of AMD’s claims to fame is that it likes to make use of the identical socket for a very long time, making upgrades typically inexpensive for most individuals. So typically, you don’t discover any bodily variations till a change within the socket or an X3D CPU is launched, together with the 3D stacked cache.
Efficiency
Earlier than we get into the nitty-gritty of the efficiency metrics, we should define our benchmarking programs and why they’re necessary:
| Part | WePC check rig |
|---|---|
| CPU | Ryzen 9 9950X |
| Cooler | Corsair H150i Elite LCD |
| Motherboard | ASUS Crosshair Hero X870 |
| Reminiscence | Corsair Dominator Platinum DDR5 @6800 MHz |
| GPU | MSI RTX 4070 Ti |
| PSU | ASUS Thor Platinum II 1000W |
| Case | Cooler Grasp Masterframe |
A constant check rig for benchmarking CPUs is crucial for accuracy, reliability, and significant comparability outcomes. When testing completely different CPUs, altering variables just like the GPU, reminiscence, and even the PSU can introduce fluctuations in efficiency measurements, making it tough to find out if variations are because of the CPU itself or exterior components.
By standardizing elements throughout exams, we be sure that efficiency metrics—resembling body charges, render occasions, and energy consumption—mirror the CPU’s capabilities alone somewhat than being influenced by variations in different {hardware}. When you’d prefer to know extra, take a look at our How We Check CPUs web page.
Gaming benchmark outcomes
We examined the 9950X in many manmade and real-world benchmarks to gauge its efficiency. We additionally made many comparisons with the Core Extremely 285K, which you will discover out what we consider by studying our assessment.
First, we’ll have a look at arguably the extra enjoyable facet: the gaming benchmarks. Right here’s the way it did:
| Metric | CS2 | Days Gone | CP 2077 | Doom Everlasting | Horizon FW | Frost punk 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating (FPS) | AVG: 323.7 99%: 136.43 |
AVG: 237.4 99%: 133.32 |
AVG: 329.42 99%: 138.6 |
AVG: 507.65 99%: 386.56 |
AVG: 198.69 99%: 132.51 |
AVG: 230.08 99%: 159.06 |
| AVG temp (bundle) °C | 55 | 61 | 69 | 61 | 71 | 62 |
| Max temp (bundle) °C | 62 | 73 | 73 | 62 | 77 | 70 |
| Common PPT (W) | 113.55W | 108.33W | 140.33W | 155.96W | 152.5W | 127.29W |
While gaming isn’t it’s high precedence, the Ryzen 9 9950X delivers strong gaming efficiency throughout numerous demanding titles, displaying why it’s nonetheless among the many best choice for players in search of excessive body charges and effectivity.
In titles like CS2 and Cyberpunk 2077, the 9950X averages a powerful 323.7 and 329.42 FPS, respectively. It maintains a easy 99th percentile body fee that retains gameplay fluid even throughout intense scenes. Doom Everlasting stands out, hitting a median of 507.65 FPS and a gradual 386.56 FPS on the 99th percentile.
The chip retains comparatively cool all through, even throughout extended gameplay. The best recorded common bundle temp is 71°C in Horizon Forbidden West. As compared, the max solely hits 77°C throughout all titles—a testomony to the improved effectivity and cooling potential of the smaller 4nm course of.
Concerning energy draw, the 9950X stays pretty restrained, with Doom Everlasting and Horizon Forbidden West seeing the very best common PPT at round 150W. How does this stack towards Intel’s newest flagship, the 285K?
| CPU | CS2 | Days Gone | Doom Everlasting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Extremely 9 285K | AVG: 313.8 99%: 133.7 |
AVG: 236.952 99%: 153.415 |
AVG: 499.82 99%: 393.848 |
| Ryzen 9 9950X | AVG: 323.7 99%: 136.43 |
AVG: 237.4 99%: 133.32 |
AVG: 507.65 99%: 386.56 |
Whereas the Ryzen 9 9950X typically leads on common FPS, the Core Extremely 9 285K delivers extra constant efficiency in crucial frames, particularly in Days Gone and Doom Everlasting. Each CPUs supply spectacular outcomes, so the selection might come all the way down to which efficiency issue issues most. That stated, it’s time to transition to the artificial benchmarks.
Artificial benchmark outcomes
| Metric | CPU Z | Cinebench R23 | Geekbench | Blender render |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating (factors) | Single 868.5 Multi 16,787 |
Single 2,271 Multi 40,166 |
Single 3,389 Multi 20,624 |
Monster 265.33 SPM Junkshop 174.74 SPM Classroom 131.89 SPM |
| AVG temp (bundle) °C | 64 | Single: 64 Multi: 60 |
55 | 60 |
| Max temp (bundle) °C | 71 | Single: 69 Multi: 64 |
72 | 70 |
| Common PPT (W) | 131.24W | Single: 73.54W Multi: 167.67W |
68.80W | 136.6W |
The Ryzen 9 9950X maintains a strong steadiness of energy and effectivity, proving its chops in each single and multi-threaded workloads. Its skill to deal with high-performance duties whereas retaining temps and energy consumption in a managed vary speaks to AMD’s refinements on this era.
| CPU | Rating | AVG temp (bundle) °C | Max temp (bundle) °C | Common PPT (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 9950X | Single 2,271 Multi 40,166 |
Single: 64 Multi: 60 |
Single: 69 Multi: 64 |
Single: 73.54W Multi: 167.67W |
| Core Extremely 285K | Single: 2,134 Multi: 42,399 |
Single: 45 Multi: 62 |
Single: 51 Multi: 73 |
Single: 29.98W Multi: 160.06W |
In Cinebench R23, the Ryzen 9 9950X and the Core Extremely 285K ship robust outcomes however differ barely; one thing truly comes up with Intel for the primary time in Arrow Lake’s historical past.
Beginning with single-core efficiency, the 9950X scores 2,271, barely outperforming the Core Extremely 285K, which is available in at 2,134. The distinction isn’t enormous, however it provides 9950X a slight edge in single-threaded purposes.
Temperature-wise, although, the Core Extremely 285K has a transparent benefit right here, sustaining a median temp of simply 45°C, in comparison with the 9950X’s 64°C. The Core Extremely additionally sips energy, with a median draw of solely 29.98W in single-core mode, whereas the 9950X makes use of a heftier 73.54W.
In multi-core exams, the Core Extremely 285K pulls forward with a rating of 42,399, outpacing the 9950X’s 40,166. AMD’s chip maintains a barely cooler profile right here, averaging 60°C underneath load, in comparison with the Core Extremely’s 62°C. The Core Extremely additionally retains energy consumption a bit decrease right here, utilizing round 160.06W versus the 9950X’s 167.67W.
Intel’s CPUs could also be stronger for multi-core and effectivity workloads, however what’s extra spectacular is That They accomplish that with out hyperthreading. Honest play, Intel.
Worth
At launch, the Ryzen 9 9950X value $649, and whereas it has dropped barely, it’s nonetheless loads to pay for any piece of {hardware}. For context, the 7950X may be discovered for round $110 much less, which could tempt you if you happen to don’t have to pay further for what the 9950X presents over its predecessor.
AMD is not any stranger to enjoying the worth recreation, so it’s value expecting potential value drops, particularly round large gross sales durations. Intel’s Arrow Lake CPUs have been a little bit of a disappointment, and AMD might wish to capitalize on that. This flagship might develop into a unbelievable worth proposition if a sale, even towards the lower-priced competitors, pops up.
For comparability, the 7950X noticed constant dips in value round main gross sales occasions, in line with Camelcamelcamel:
Is the 9950X value it?
So, the large query: is the Ryzen 9 9950X value it? When you’re a gamer in search of maxed-out body charges, it’s possible you’ll discover higher worth sticking with X3D, such because the 7800X3D and even the upcoming 9800X3D, which guarantees to be a powerful decide for gaming.
However if you happen to’re after a CPU constructed to tear via rendering, simulation, or different heavy multi-core workloads, the 9950X is greater than succesful. You might even argue that it’s slightly overkill.
The upper price ticket is unquestionably an element, however if you happen to’re seeking to keep AMD-exclusive and desire a workstation CPU that may sustain with demanding software program, the 9950X is a strong contender. Intel’s latest flagship does supply higher Multli-core efficiency however drops behind in gaming and requires an entire new motherboard buy. We’d advocate sticking with AMD on this one.
