
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Engineering Sample Reveals Boost Clock and Enhanced L3 Cache | Image Source: wccftech.com
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 26, 2024 — AMD’s highly anticipated Ryzen 9 9950X3D has made a striking debut as an engineering sample in a CPU-Z leak, showcasing impressive specifications that highlight its gaming and productivity potential. The processor, part of AMD’s upcoming Ryzen 9000X3D series, integrates cutting-edge 3D V-Cache technology without compromising its clock speeds, a notable departure from previous X3D iterations.
Retaining Clock Speeds for Optimal Performance
According to Wccftech, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D retains the same clock speeds as its non-X3D counterpart, a move that differentiates it from earlier X3D chips, which often saw reductions in base or boost clocks. The leaked CPU-Z screenshot, attributed to user @94G8LA, confirms that the engineering sample features a boost clock of 5.65 GHz, closely matching the 5.7 GHz of the Ryzen 9 9950X. This consistency underscores AMD’s commitment to maintaining high performance while leveraging its innovative cache design to enhance gaming capabilities.
Unveiling the 3D V-Cache Advantage
AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology adds an additional 64 MB of L3 cache to the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, bringing the total L3 cache to 128 MB and a combined cache (L2 + L3) of 144 MB. This is achieved through a design that places the additional cache chiplet beneath one of the two Core Complex Dies (CCDs), each housing eight cores with 32 MB of dedicated L3 cache. By positioning the L3 cache underneath the CCD, AMD ensures improved thermal management, allowing the processor to retain its high clock speeds and even unlock potential for overclocking.
Core Configuration and Power Efficiency
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D features 16 cores and 32 threads, split across its two CCDs. The processor also maintains the same 170W TDP rating as the non-X3D Ryzen 9 9950X, ensuring that power efficiency remains uncompromised despite the addition of the extra cache. This balance of high performance and energy efficiency is expected to appeal to gamers and productivity enthusiasts alike, as it offers significant improvements in gaming workloads without sacrificing general processing power.
Implications for Gaming and Productivity
As noted by Wccftech, the extra L3 cache is particularly beneficial for gaming, as it allows for faster access to frequently used data, reducing latency and enhancing overall performance. Meanwhile, the processor’s robust core and thread configuration ensure it remains a powerful choice for multitasking and demanding productivity tasks. With these features, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is positioned as a flagship model that bridges the gap between gaming and professional workloads, delivering a versatile computing experience.
CES 2025: A Platform for AMD’s Innovations
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is expected to be officially unveiled at CES 2025, alongside other advancements in AMD’s technology portfolio. These include the Ryzen 9 9900X3D, FSR 4 upscaling technology, and RDNA 4-based Radeon RX 9070 XT graphics cards. This lineup underscores AMD’s focus on providing a comprehensive ecosystem of high-performance computing solutions, catering to the needs of gamers, content creators, and professionals.
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D’s impressive specifications, combined with AMD’s innovative 3D V-Cache technology, signal a new benchmark for gaming and productivity performance. As AMD prepares to showcase its latest developments at CES 2025, the spotlight is firmly on the Ryzen 9000X3D series and its potential to redefine the high-performance processor market.