Buying Guide
The Best AMD CPU for Gaming
We weighed five processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Ryzen 9 9950X3D has the highest boost clock, and the Ryzen 5 7600X costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
For gaming, AMD's X3D chips add extra cache that helps frame rates in many games. These AM5 chips are ordered by L3 cache.
The order reflects L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads from maker specifications; we did not test these processors ourselves, and a missing max boost is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip.
Best for: Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Boost Clock
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3DThe highest boost clock here (5.7GHz).
Best for: Buyers who put boost clock first.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 9 7900XThe Zen 4 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X16MB of L2 plus 64MB of L3 cache.
Best for: Buyers who want 16MB of L2 plus 64MB of L3 cache.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7950X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Rated Power
AMD Ryzen 5 7600XThe lowest rated power here (105W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip. | Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest boost clock here (5.7GHz). | Buyers who put boost clock first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The Zen 4 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7900X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 16MB of L2 plus 64MB of L3 cache. | Buyers who want 16MB of L2 plus 64MB of L3 cache. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 9 7950X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest rated power here (105W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D adds 3D V-Cache to a twelve-core layout.
Best for
- Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the box is a problem.
Why we like it
It sits between the eight-core X3D chips and the 9950X3D on core count and price. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.5GHz: the Ryzen 9 9950X3D offers 5.7GHz, and the Ryzen 5 7600X comes in at 5.3GHz. It matches the Ryzen 9 7900X on core count (12 cores).
Its 120W rated power ranks second of 4 here, behind the Ryzen 5 7600X (105W) and ahead of the Ryzen 9 7900X (170W). It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. Its price falls between the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 9 7950X, based on our last check.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 128MB
- Max boost
- 5.5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 12 cores
- Rated power
- 120W
- Threads
- 24
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 128MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 5.5GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 7600X at the time of writing
Highest Boost Clock2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D adds a second eight-core die to the X3D formula, giving 16 cores for work while keeping 3D V-Cache for games.
Best for
- Buyers who put boost clock first.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO is a problem.
Why we like it
It suits a single machine that must game and render. Nothing else here matches its 5.7GHz boost clock; the Ryzen 9 7900X comes closest at 5.6GHz. It matches the Ryzen 9 7900X on rated power (170W).
It also offers a design aimed at both games and content creation. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ryzen 9 7950X.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 128MB
- Max boost
- 5.7GHz
- Cores / threads
- 16 cores
- Rated power
- 170W
- Threads
- 32
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 128MB of L3 cache from 3D V-Cache
- 5.7GHz maximum boost
- 16 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 7600X at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
The Ryzen 9 7900X has 12 Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO.
Why we like it
It is a cheaper way to the same thread count as the 9900X, at a higher power rating. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 9 7950X at 64MB. On boost clock it sits mid-pack at 5.6GHz: the Ryzen 9 9950X3D offers 5.7GHz, and the Ryzen 5 7600X comes in at 5.3GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 9 9900X3D on core count (12 cores). It matches the Ryzen 9 9950X3D on rated power (170W). You also get the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5.
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. Budget for a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm-plus AIO, since none is included. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Ryzen 5 7600X and the pricier Ryzen 9 9900X3D, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 64MB
- Max boost
- 5.6GHz
- Cores / threads
- 12 cores
- Rated power
- 170W
- Threads
- 24
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 5.6GHz maximum boost
- 12 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
Cons
- 170W rating calls for a large air cooler or a 280mm-plus AIO
- No cooler in the box
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 7600X (105W)
The catch
The trade-off is rated power; for more, the Ryzen 5 7600X offers 105W.
Worth a Look4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
What the Ryzen 9 7950X brings to the table is 16MB of L2 plus 64MB of L3 cache, plus a 5nm process with Radeon Graphics built in.
Best for
- Buyers who want 16MB of L2 plus 64MB of L3 cache.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its boost clock before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It also offers a 64MB L3 cache and offers a 16 cores core count. On core count it ties with the Ryzen 9 9950X3D at 16 cores. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version.
Another plus: integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card. When we checked, only the Ryzen 9 9900X3D and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D cost more. If you want a confirmed boost clock, look to the Ryzen 9 9950X3D instead: it offers 5.7GHz, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 64MB
- Cores / threads
- 16 cores
- Threads
- 32
- Socket
- AM5
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 64MB of L3 cache
- 16 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 16MB of L2 plus 64MB of L3 cache
Cons
- No published boost clock
- No published rated power
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 7600X at the time of writing
Lowest Rated Power5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
The Ryzen 5 7600X is the least expensive route to 240Hz here, with six Zen 4 cores on AM5.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated power first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It needs an aftermarket cooler, since none is included. On L3 cache it trails the group at 32MB, while the Ryzen 9 9900X3D offers 128MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 5.3GHz, while the Ryzen 9 9950X3D offers 5.7GHz.
Its 6 cores core count is the lowest in this group; the Ryzen 9 9950X3D leads at 16 cores. Nothing else here matches its 105W rated power; the Ryzen 9 9900X3D comes closest at 120W. It also comes with the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5.
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. It undercut the Ryzen 9 7900X and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 105W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 4 architecture
- 5nm process
- PCIe 5.0 support on AM5
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 9 9900X3D (128MB)
The catch
The trade-off is L3 cache; for more, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D offers 128MB.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 5 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while boost clock and rated power have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Ryzen 9 9900X3D to the Ryzen 5 7600X, state L3 cache, core count and threads and share AM5 socket and integrated graphics.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 9 7950X gives no boost clock; the Ryzen 9 7950X gives no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 7600X ($150 to $250) to the Ryzen 9 9950X3D ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in an AMD CPU for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much L3 cache you need
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D tops L3 cache at 128MB and the Ryzen 5 7600X sits lowest at 32MB; 2 picks share the top figure. Start with the Ryzen 9 9900X3D if L3 cache decides it.
Core count
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 7600X to 16 cores on the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, a 167% spread. For less, the Ryzen 9 7950X is the runner-up at 16 cores.
An Intel stock cooler mounted over the CPU socket inside a PC Boost clock
Across these 4 picks boost clock spans 5.3GHz (the Ryzen 5 7600X) to 5.7GHz (the Ryzen 9 9950X3D). The Ryzen 9 7900X comes second at 5.6GHz, in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. The Ryzen 9 7950X gives no boost clock figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D: a design aimed at both games and content creation. The Ryzen 9 7900X: a 5nm process. The Ryzen 9 7950X: a 5nm process with Radeon Graphics built in.
Where your budget lands
$150 to $250 buys the Ryzen 5 7600X; $250 to $500 buys the Ryzen 9 7900X; $500 to $1000 buys the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, the Ryzen 9 7950X and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D at our last check.
How to Choose an AMD CPU for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip | Ryzen 9 9900X3D | 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip |
| Buyers who put boost clock first | Ryzen 9 9950X3D | The highest boost clock here (5.7GHz) |
| Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture | Ryzen 9 7900X | The Zen 4 architecture |
| Buyers who want 16MB of L2 plus 64MB of L3 cache | Ryzen 9 7950X | 16MB of L2 plus 64MB of L3 cache |
| Buyers who put rated power first | Ryzen 5 7600X | The lowest rated power here (105W) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D leads on L3 cache at 128MB, ahead of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D at 128MB. "Not listed" marks boost clock where the Ryzen 9 7950X leaves the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 9900X3D | 128MB | 5.5GHz | 12 cores | 120W |
| Ryzen 9 9950X3D | 128MB | 5.7GHz | 16 cores | 170W |
| Ryzen 9 7900X | 64MB | 5.6GHz | 12 cores | 170W |
| Ryzen 9 7950X | 64MB | Not listed | 16 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 5 7600X | 32MB | 5.3GHz | 6 cores | 105W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 7600X was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 7600X |
| About $250 to $500 | Ryzen 9 7900X |
| About $500 to $1000 | Ryzen 9 9900X3D, Ryzen 9 7950X, Ryzen 9 9950X3D |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ryzen 9 9950X3D ahead of the Ryzen 9 7900X on boost clock?
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D leads at 5.7GHz, with the Ryzen 9 7900X at 5.6GHz. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 7600X at 5.3GHz. The Ryzen 9 7950X is left out of this ranking because its boost clock isn't stated; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
How does the Ryzen 9 9900X3D compare with the Ryzen 5 7600X on rated power?
Between the top two, it is 105W on the Ryzen 5 7600X against 120W on the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, a 13% difference. The Ryzen 9 7900X closes the ranking at 170W. No rated power figure is published for the Ryzen 9 7950X, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.
What does the Ryzen 9 9950X3D add over the Ryzen 5 7600X?
On paper it adds L3 cache (128MB against 32MB), core count (16 cores against 6 cores) and boost clock (5.7GHz against 5.3GHz). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 5 7600X still leads on rated power (105W). On our last price check the Ryzen 5 7600X was in the $150 to $250 tier and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if L3 cache and core count decide your purchase.
Why is the Ryzen 5 7600X our Lowest Rated Power pick?
It carries the badge for the lowest rated power here (105W). On rated power it leads the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, 105W against 120W, a 13% margin. It suits anyone who puts rated power first.
What extras do the Ryzen 9 9900X3D and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D include?
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D: 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D: 3D V-Cache on one of its two core dies. The Ryzen 9 7900X: the Zen 4 architecture.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, chosen for 3D V-Cache on a 12-core chip. Look at the Ryzen 9 9950X3D for the highest boost clock here (5.7GHz), the Ryzen 9 7900X for the Zen 4 architecture and the Ryzen 9 7950X for 16MB of L2 plus 64MB of L3 cache if those matter more to you.
Update the motherboard BIOS before installing a newer Ryzen chip.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best CPUs for Gaming
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- Lower budgetThe Best Budget CPUs for a Gaming PC
- Higher budgetThe Best High-End CPUs for Gaming
- ExplainerHow to Choose a CPU for Your PC
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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