AMD Ryzen 9 9950X

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Performance Performance

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AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
For general desktop usage, the 9950X doesn't offer much. We saw a performance regression in compression and decompression workloads, only minor improvements in Cinebench and Blender, a small improvement for image editing in applications such as Photoshop, and a tiny improvement for video editing. On the gaming side, the Ryzen 9950X offers 7950X-level performance, which is good overall but also something you could have purchased two years ago.
- As reviewed by TechSpot on Aug 2024
16
Cores
32
Threads
4.3 GHz
Base Clock
5.7 GHz
Boost Clock
Socket AM5
Socket
170 W
TDP
Radeon Graphics
Integrated Graphics
$529
Price
Release date:Aug 15, 2024Price at Launch:$649
Cores:16Threads:32
Base Clock:4.3 GHzBoost Clock:5.7 GHz
Type:DesktopMultithreading:Yes
L2 Cache:16 MBL3 Cache:64 MB
Box Cooler:NoTDP:170 W
Socket:Socket AM5Memory Support:DDR5-5600
Codename:Granite Ridge (Zen 5)Process Size:4 nm
Integrated Graphics:YesiGPU Model:Radeon Graphics
NPU:NoPCIe Support:PCIe 5.0, 28 Lanes
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Performance Benchmarks

All benchmark data reflects aggregated results from dozens of tests conducted in TechSpot’s labs and compiled from our full library of CPU reviews. Single-core productivity scores are based primarily on Cinebench and Adobe Photoshop workloads. Multi-core results draw from Cinebench, Blender, Corona Benchmark, 7-Zip, Adobe Premiere Pro, and shader compilation tests. CPU gaming benchmarks are all 1080p runs (explainer) as published on TechSpot.

Single-Core Productivity

Multi-Core Productivity

Gaming Performance

Price History

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X pricing

Last 6 months
Price Date
Current $529 Dec 15, 2025
Highest* $599 Sep 29, 2025
Lowest* $399 Jun 6, 2025
Average $521
* Prices are based on listings from Newegg and other major retailers over the past 12+ months.
TechSpot is supported by its audience. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Learn more here.

Reviews and Ratings

78

Average Score

Based on 7 reviews

9.4

User Score

Based on 723 reviews

Reviewers Liked

  • 16-core design
  • Native AVX-512 support
  • Integrated GPU
  • Leverages AM5 motherboards, backward compatible
  • Runs significantly cooler than its 7950X predecessor
  • No risk of E-Cores complicating software compatibility
  • ECC support (depending on motherboard)

Reviewers Didn't Like

  • Power-hungry
  • Gaming performance isn't as competitive as other chips
  • At launch, a little pricier than the Core i9-14900K
  • Slim generational gains in some workloads
  • Zen 4 is much better value for money
  • No NPU for AI acceleration
65

For general desktop usage, the 9950X doesn't offer much. We saw a performance regression in compression and decompression workloads, only minor improvements in Cinebench and Blender, a small improvement for image editing in applications such as Photoshop, and a tiny improvement for video editing. On the gaming side, the Ryzen 9950X offers 7950X-level performance, which is good overall but also something you could have purchased two years ago.

By TechSpot on
90

AMD's flagship Ryzen 9 9950X has the 16-core muscle to fight Intel's 14th Gen Core i9 CPUs and win. Plus, it's cheaper than AMD's last-gen equivalent, the 7950X.

By PCMag on
60

The Ryzen 9 9950X offers performance improvements across the board and the highest performance available on a mainstream PC platform in multi-threaded workloads. However, it lags behind competing chips in gaming, and the generational gains are small enough in some productivity workloads that the previous-gen Ryzen 9 7950X is an attractive alternative.

By Tom's Hardware on
84

For productivity and content creation workloads, the Ryzen 9 9950X is second to none in the desktop market. It's no slouch in gaming but if that's all your PC is used for, then there are far cheaper options to go for that perform just as well.

By PCGamer on
85

Now that all the (expected) AMD Zen 5 processors are released, the Ryzen 9 9950X is likely to remain the flagship for this generation. While a Ryzen 9 9950X3D is anticipated later this year, it's unlikely to exceed the application performance of the standard 9950X.

By TechPowerUp on
70

In creative workloads, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is absolutely the fastest processor on the market right now. However, it does fall behind a bit in gaming, making it hard to recommend to even the most dedicated PC gamer.

By IGN on
90

All told, we like the Zen 5-based AMD Ryzen 9000 series. These CPUs are generally faster and more efficient then their predecessors, and they arrive at more affordable introductory prices as well. That’s all good stuff that ultimately is a win-win for consumers, though the Ryzen 9000 series doesn’t offer the kind of generational performance leaps we’ve been seen from AMD in the last couple of major processor releases.

By HotHardware on

We're in a better place with the Ryzen 9 9950X than with the Ryzen 5 and 7 models last week, but the situation is still far from a typical Ryzen launch. At best, they begin to justify choosing them over their Ryzen 7000 counterparts, but only if the price difference isn't huge and there's enough of a performance gap, which there often isn't.

By Forbes on

For now, the Ryzen 9 9950X/9900X seem like fine chips for highly threaded productivity workloads. They're just not delivering the correct behavior for games. In the meantime, we'll be continuing to look into the issue, and should AMD deliver an update that fixes Ryzen 9000's core parking behavior, we will reevaluate these chips accordingly.

By AnandTech on

The only thing I can’t quite understand is the values that AMD gives for the Intel CPUs. Yes, after all the new updates and with different settings it has become significantly less, but I can’t quite get to the bars in the slides. I’ll leave that without comment, but I think it’s a throwback to a long-forgotten marketing comedy in places.

By igor's Lab on

Given the relatively pale performance improvements here, even if our issues are resolved and the 9900X and 9950X return to the level of the 7900X and 7950X or a bit beyond, it's clear that Ryzen 7000 remains the better buy right now for gaming purposes. In content creation, Zen 5 does have its merits, but again I would much rather pick up a discounted Ryzen 7000 part unless I absolutely needed outright performance - and here the 14900K should also be considered, despite its relatively inefficient power profile.

By EuroGamer on

If you have a 7700X or lower or any AM4 platform and are willing to spend the coin on the flagship upgrade, it’s a no-brainer. For those complaining about gaming performance or whatever, all I have to say is, “What is Workload Optimization for $100, Alex?”

By StorageReview on
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