AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X: Powerhouses for Creators, Missed Opportunities for Gamers

AMD has recently launched two new processors in the Ryzen 9 series: the Ryzen 9 9900X and the Ryzen 9 9950X. This article explores the specifications, performance benchmarks, and market reception of these processors, focusing on both gaming and productivity capabilities.

Introduction to Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X

The latest AMD CPUs, the Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X, come with impressive features. The 9900X has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the 9950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. The 9950X is slightly faster, with a maximum boost clock speed of 5.7GHz compared to the 9900X's 5.6GHz. AMD says these chips can handle anything, including gaming. But, when it comes to actual performance, the story is a bit more complicated.

Benchmark Performance Overview

Blender Benchmark (Version 4.2.0):

• The Ryzen 9 9950X comes out on top in Blender's performance tests, beating both Intel’s i9-14900K and i9-13900K. The 9900X also does a good job but isn’t quite as fast as the 9950X.

Corona 10 Benchmark:

• The same pattern shows up here: the 9950X takes the lead, ahead of Intel's top processors. The Ryzen 9 9900X does well but still lags a bit behind the front-runners.

  
  

V-Ray Benchmark (Version 5.02):

• The Ryzen 9 9950X stands out again, beating Intel’s 13900K and i9-14900K in rendering tasks. The Ryzen 9 9900X also performs well, even outperforming some of Intel's top chips.

  
  

Cinebench R23:

• In single-core tests, Intel's i9-14900K holds the top spot, with the Ryzen 9 9950X not far behind. The 9900X is a bit lower on the list but still does a solid job. In multi-core tests, the 9950X takes the lead, leaving the others behind, while the 9900X and Intel's i7-14700K are neck and neck.

A Gaming Disappointment?

The Ryzen 9 series really shines in productivity tasks but falls short when it comes to gaming. Straight out of the box, these processors often perform the same or even worse than some Ryzen 7000 series chips, especially with the power limits set by AMD. Turning on Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) helps improve gaming performance, but the results are still not very impressive across many games.

The Issue with Power Limits

A hot topic with the Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X processors is the power limits that AMD has put in place. These limits help keep temperatures and power use under control, but they also hold back the full potential of the newer Zen 5 design. Because of this, we feel that these CPUs perform more like the older Ryzen 7000 series than the latest Zen 5 processors they’re meant to be.

Power Limits Explained

Power limits are set by the manufacturer to control how much power a CPU can use. These limits help prevent overheating and reduce stress on the power supply and the CPU core, but they also affect how high the CPU can boost its speed when working hard. For CPUs like the Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X, these limits are noticeable, especially in demanding tasks like gaming or heavy productivity work.

Out of the box, AMD has set fairly conservative power limits on these processors. This means they don’t always perform at their best, especially during longer tasks. In multi-core activities like rendering or video encoding, the CPUs need to maintain high speeds for a while. With these power limits in place, they often slow down to keep within AMD’s set power and temperature limits.

Impact on Gaming Performance

For gamers, these power limits can be quite a letdown. Unlike productivity tasks that benefit from multiple cores, most games depend on single-core performance and high clock speeds. Because of AMD’s power limits, the Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X don’t always reach their top boost speeds during gameplay. This means their performance can end up being similar to, or sometimes worse than, the older Ryzen processors.

Even though these CPUs use the newer Zen 5 design, their gaming performance feels more like a minor upgrade of the Zen 4. This is especially obvious in games that rely heavily on the CPU, where frame rates can drop, particularly compared to Intel's processors that maintain higher clock speeds. This can make the Ryzen 9 series less attractive to gamers who want the best frame rates and smooth performance in demanding games.

Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO): A Partial Solution

One way to get around these power limits is by turning on Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO), AMD's automatic overclocking feature. PBO lets the CPU go beyond its default power and temperature limits, boosting clock speeds based on things like system temperature, cooling, and power supply. When PBO is turned on, the Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X can run at higher speeds, improving performance in both gaming and productivity tasks.

However, even with PBO, the results can vary. Sometimes, gaming performance improves only slightly, while other times, the boost is more noticeable. How well PBO works mostly depends on your cooling system and motherboard. If you have a high-end cooling setup, like liquid cooling, and a strong motherboard, you’ll see the most benefits. But if your cooling system is more basic, you might not see much improvement since the CPU will quickly hit its temperature limits.

Gaming Performance vs. Productivity Performance

The power limits may affect gaming, but they have less of an impact on productivity tasks. The Ryzen 9 9950X, for example, still performs very well in multi-core tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, and data analysis, thanks to its 16 cores and 32 threads. However, even in these areas, the performance boost over the previous generation can be disappointing when power limits are in place.

Without Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) turned on, these processors often can’t make full use of the improvements from the Zen 5 design. This results in only a slight performance increase compared to the older Zen 4 processors. For users focused on productivity work, this might not be a big issue since the Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X still provide strong performance for multi-threaded tasks. But for gamers, especially those upgrading from the Ryzen 7000 series, the small gains might make these new chips feel like less of an upgrade than expected.

Worth the Upgrade?

In the end, the power limits on the Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X make it hard to say if they’re really worth the upgrade, especially for gamers. Without using Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) or manual overclocking, the performance boost over the previous generation is often small, particularly in gaming. So, if you're upgrading from a Ryzen 7000 series processor, you might not see a big enough improvement to make the cost worth it.

For those focused on productivity tasks like video editing or rendering, these CPUs still pack a lot of power. However, even then, AMD’s power limits can hold back their full potential. If you have the budget for high-end cooling and a strong power setup, you might get more out of these processors. But for the average user, these limits could make the Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X feel like a less exciting upgrade than you might expect.

Price and Value Proposition

The new Ryzen 9 processors come with a hefty price tag, which has been a major point of criticism. The Ryzen 9 9900X costs $499, while the 9950X is priced at $649. These are pretty steep prices for only a small bump in performance over the previous generation. To put it in perspective, Intel’s i9-14900K, which offers solid performance, is priced around the same, making it a strong competitor.

In places like Malaysia, these prices are even harder to justify. The 9900X is selling for about 2,149 MYR, and the 9950X goes for over 3,049 MYR. Meanwhile, Intel's i9-14900K gives similar performance for a lower cost. This could make AMD's new Ryzen 9 processors a tough sell for many people.

Final Verdict: Productivity vs. Gaming

The Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X are powerful processors, especially for tasks like rendering and productivity work that use a lot of CPU power. However, they fall short when it comes to gaming. AMD marketed these chips as a great choice for both gamers and creators, but they don’t quite live up to that promise for gaming fans.

For content creators, the 9900X and 9950X could be a good investment—if they can handle the high price. On the other hand, gamers might be better off with Intel's options like the i7-14700K or i9-14900K, or simply wait for the next generation of processors.

Conclusion : Who Should Buy?

When choosing between the Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X, it’s important to think about what matters most to you—gaming, productivity, or a bit of both. Here’s a simple breakdown of who might want each processor:

Ryzen 9 9950X: Best for Productivity and Content Creation

The Ryzen 9 9950X, with its 16 cores and 32 threads, is perfect for users who need serious power for tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, and heavy multitasking. If you use software like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Blender, this chip can handle those big workloads with ease. Its strong multi-core performance makes it a great investment for content creators. However, its high price might be harder to justify if gaming is your main focus.

Who should buy:

• 3D artists, video editors, and content creators

• Professionals using multi-threaded software

• Users with demanding multitasking needs

• Those who can afford the premium price for top-tier productivity

Ryzen 9 9900X: Solid All-Rounder with Productivity Leanings

The Ryzen 9 9900X, with 12 cores and 24 threads, is a good balance between gaming and productivity. It’s excellent for tasks that use multiple cores, like video editing and rendering, and can also provide decent gaming performance, especially if you use overclocking or Precision Boost Overdrive. However, for gamers, its out-of-the-box performance may not be as strong as Intel’s options at similar prices. Still, it’s a solid choice for those who want both productivity and gaming without paying the higher price of the 9950X.

Who should buy:

• Users who split their time between gaming and productivity tasks

• Enthusiasts who want to overclock for better performance

• Those seeking a balance of multi-core performance and gaming potential

• Buyers who need a strong processor but want to avoid the 9950X’s premium price

Gamers: Consider Intel or Wait for Future AMD Processors

If gaming is your main focus, the Ryzen 9 series might not be the best value, especially at stock settings. Intel’s i9-14900K or i7-14700K provide competitive gaming performance at a similar or even lower price. The Ryzen 9 CPUs only show a real improvement in gaming when you turn on Precision Boost Overdrive or manually overclock, and even then, results can vary from game to game. If you’re all about gaming and want the best performance for your money, you might be better off with Intel’s alternatives or waiting for future AMD processors that could improve on the current gaming limitations.

Who should buy:

• Hardcore gamers looking for the best gaming performance per dollar

• Those focused on competitive gaming or high FPS in AAA titles

• Buyers looking to optimize price-to-performance for gaming