Background information

The top Ryzen 9000 models are also disappointing

15.8.2024

One week after the smaller models, AMD is releasing new top chips from the Ryzen 9000 series. Namely, the Ryzen 9 9900X and the Ryzen 9 9950X. Neither model impresses in initial tests.

As with the Ryzen 5 and 7 processors, testers mainly criticise the small performance increase of the new 9000 generation. Another point of criticism is the high price, disproportionate given the increase in performance.

The Ryzen 9 9950X at least makes it to the top of the performance rankings in most categories – except for gaming. Like its predecessor, the Ryzen 9 9900X is caught between worlds, and therefore likely to have a hard time. Take a look at the results of reviews from Techpowerup, Computerbase and Tom’s Hardware.

Gaming

In Techpowerup’s gaming test, the Ryzen 9950X leaves all other AMD chips – except the X3D – in its dust. However, the differences are small. Compared to the 9600X, a 1.1 per cent difference. All new Ryzen 9000 processors are within two per cent of each other in terms of gaming performance. The best gaming processor, the 7800X3D, leads by 7.5 per cent. Even the Intel 14900K isn’t surpassed. The smaller model, the 9900X, isn’t recommended for gaming according to reviewer W1zzard. He measures a performance increase of just two per cent compared to its predecessor.

Computerbase also sees the 9950X as the best non-X3D gaming chip from AMD. However, tester Volker Risska notes a twelve per cent advantage for the 7800X3D over the 9950X. That’s at 720p resolution. The higher the resolution, the smaller the difference. At 2160p, current processors are hardly any different. Computerbase measured four per cent more frames per second with the 9900X than with its predecessor, the 7900X. Nevertheless, the processor isn’t recommended for gaming.

Even greater differences to the 7800X3D are measured by Tom’s Hardware. Here, the 9950X lags a full 23 per cent behind. Compared to its predecessor, we’re talking eight per cent more frames per second. Tester Paul Alcorn is disappointed with the results of the 9900X. Compared to its predecessor, it’s just two per cent better. Even a 14600K from Intel outperforms the AMD chip in gaming.

The testers agree that the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is still the best processor for gaming.

Office work

According to Tom’s Hardware, the 9950X doesn’t quite make it to the top in single core mode. The Intel 14900K is four percentage points ahead of AMD. However, the chip sets new standards in applications that require several cores. Here, the competition from Intel is smashed with a whopping 23 per cent, the predecessor by 12 per cent. The 9900X also beats its Intel opponent 14700K in Multi Core. The single core race is neck and neck, though.

Techpowerup notes a smaller increase in performance. The 9950X only achieves an average of 3.4 per cent more than its predecessor. In certain applications, however, the difference is significantly greater, so it’s worth taking a look at individual applications. Tester W1zzard refers to the performance increase in single-core mode as very impressive. The 9900X offers 4.4 per cent better performance than its predecessor. But the chip has a lot of competition. We recommend the 14700K, which is significantly cheaper.

Computerbase emphasises the single-core performance of the new AMD models. In their tests, the 9950X outperformed Intel’s 14900K by six per cent. The 9900X is on a par with the smaller 9700X, the 9950X is clearly ahead in Multi Core. The 9900X, on the other hand, doesn’t manage to beat the competition from Intel’s 14700K.

Efficiency

According to Techpowerup, the 9950X requires an average of 135 watts. That’s 15 less than the predecessor 7950X. In gaming, the difference is small. Either way, the X3D versions are more efficient. Compared to the Intel 14900K, the 9950X draws 50 watts less on average. In idle mode, however, Intel is ahead thanks to its architecture. The difference between the 9900X and its predecessor is 10 watts on average.

Computerbase and Tom’s Hardware also praise the energy efficiency of the new Ryzen 9000. Especially in comparison to Intel, it’s top-notch – except when idling.

Price

The reviews emphasise that the Ryzen 9 9950X is currently the best and most expensive desktop processor. However, the difference to the competition – from Intel and the previous generation – is too small to justify the high price. Only when it really comes down to a few per cent more power is it the better choice. The X3D processors are still best for gaming.

All reviewers emphasise that the 9900X is in a difficult place. It’s simply too expensive and makes little sense as a purchase compared to the competition – from Intel and from its own manufacturer. Only when the price of the processor drops significantly will it be worth recommending.