AMD Ryzen 9 9950X Gaming and Workstation Review - Some highlights in workstation applications and not consistent in games (2024)

It wasn’t easy to find the right attributes for AMD’s new Ryzen 9 9950X and the right headline for the test article. But while I was able to pull myself out of the noose elegantly with a relatively large amount of text, AMD will probably still have to sit, sweat and make a lot of improvements. There were certainly other reasons for the delay than just a supposed misprint on some IHS. It was certainly not advisable to launch this CPU a week ago as the spearhead and first model in the new Ryzen 9000 series. And yes, they should have taken much more time.

Apart from the company’s own benchmarks in unrealistic marketing lyricism, AMD will still have to straighten out a few things to get back into the plus compared to the Ryzen 7000. The potential is definitely there, but of course it needs to be found first. That’s why I ask you to read the foreword very carefully, because things are often not as they seem, or at least should seem, but simply aren’t. Efficiency alone may win you a flowerpot, but without flowers and soil. And even this advantage still needs to be questioned.

Important preliminary remark

The Ryzen 9 9950X is something of a Janus face, because it has two sides. Once it works as it should, there is hardly any stopping it, at most at the power socket. However, such aha moments are widely scattered and mostly limited to the workstation sector. If we take gaming alone, then I’m sure that we’ll see differences in the conclusions of all the reviews this time that we’ve never seen before. Because if I had only replaced two games in which the new CPU either performs disproportionately better than the direct predecessor model (up to 10%) or, conversely, one of the many games where nothing (yet) really works (up to -10%), then this CPU could either have been specifically praised or completely slated. And without a guilty conscience.

Things like a fresh Windows 11 image and calling start /wait Rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks including the latest chipset drivers are a matter of course, so that wasn’t the problem, even if I don’t consider this procedure to be customer-friendly. Such hurdles are definitely not reasonable for end customers and potential AM5 upgrades from a single-die processor.

AMD can actually be quite satisfied with my random selection, which has always been used, because it documents a performance-related parity with the Ryzen 9 7950X with a significantly more moderate consumption behaviour, whereby the spread across the board is likely to be more pronounced. And in the end, everyone will certainly be right again, depending on the benchmark selection. That’s exactly why I’ve done a lot of workstation tests, which demonstrate this up and down very well and which you should definitely read for a better understanding. So, depending on the game selection, there will be very different interpretations, which could also help AMD to loosen its own shackles by actively eliminating the bottlenecks that have been identified.

I’m leaving out the microcode update for Intel CPUs, which has only just been released, because it wouldn’t change the overall result and would only have stolen the time needed for longer workstation tests. However, I ran all games with a Core i9-14900K again in 720p and noticed a maximum performance loss of 1 to 1.5%. If at all. More has already been left behind in the course of all the other patches and updates and anyone who knows where the tolerance limits are will certainly not cry over 1 or 2 FPS.

Fine Wine is of course a hackneyed term, but at least the Ryzen 7000s now do exactly what you could read in the slides at launch and what is still so sorely lacking in the Ryzen 9000. I also had to replace a motherboard unplanned in the test system, although nothing absolutely identical could be found in the short time available on a weekend. I am therefore testing the Ryzen 9 9950X on an MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi, on which only the connectivity is limited. In terms of performance, no differences were measurable in random tests with the CPUs already measured on the MSI MEG X670E Ace. This is therefore not the reason for the unrestrained proliferation of results.

The new Ryzen 5 9950X at a glance

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is based on the new Zen 5 architecture and is a high-end processor with 16 cores and 32 threads. It offers a maximum turbo frequency of 5.7 GHz and a base clock of 4.3 GHz. The processor is manufactured using the 4 nm process and has a thermal design power (TDP) of 170 watts, which can rise to 230 watts under load. The cache is divided into 16 MB L2 and 64 MB L3, resulting in a total size of 80 MB. The 9950X supports DDR5 memory with a speed of up to 5600 MHz and is compatible with the AM5 socket.

The chip has been designed to offer a significant improvement in instruction per clock cycles (IPC) of around 16% compared to the previous Zen 4 architecture. Despite a slight decrease in the base clock frequency compared to its predecessor, the performance increases should be particularly noticeable in the area of multi-threaded applications and gaming. AMD relies on TSMC’s 4 nm process for production, which enables higher efficiency and density of the transistors compared to previous generations. In production, AMD relies on its proven chiplet architecture, in which the CCDs (Core Complex Dies) are produced separately from the I/O DIE. This makes it possible to optimize production costs while ensuring high scalability and flexibility

However, in order not to repeat myself in detail at this point, I will simply let the slides speak for themselves, as they contain everything once again. 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.

AMD Ryzen 9000

And for the very inquisitive and / or forgetful, there is also a foliated deep dive through the Zen5 architecture. That should be enough of an introduction for now.

Zen 5 Architecture

Pages:

  • 1 - Einführung, Vorbemerkung und CPU-Daten
  • 2 - Test-Setup und Methoden
  • 3 - Gaming Performance HD Ready (1280 x 720 Pixels)
  • 4 - Gaming Performance Full HD (1920 x 1080 Pixels)
  • 5 - Gaming Performance WQHD (2560 x 1440 Pixels)
  • 6 - Gaming Performance Ultra-HD (3840 x 2160 Pixels)
  • 7 - Autodesk AutoCAD 2023
  • 8 - Autodesk Inventor 2021 Pro
  • 9 - Rendering, Simulation, Financial, Programming
  • 10 - Wissenschaft und Mathematik
  • 11 - Workstation: Leistungsaufnahme und Effizienz
  • 12 - Gaming: Leistungsaufnahme und Effizienz
  • 13 - Zusammenfassung und Fazit

152 Antworten

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SchmoWu

Veteran

100 Kommentare 29 Likes

#1Aug 14, 2024

"Durchwachsen" neu definiert.
Seh ich das richtig das der 9950X nur in Anwendungen davon zieht die AVX512 stark nutzen?
Und wie immer vielen Dank für den Test @Igor Wallossek

mfg
Schmo

Antwort 1 Like

echolot

Urgestein

1,154 Kommentare 905 Likes

#2Aug 14, 2024

7800x3d ist doch nach wie vor der Nobrainer hier. Hat sich die Performance des 7900x3d aufgrund von Updates beim Gaming verbessert. Das ist eigentlich das Mutlitalent, gerade hinsichtlich Nichtgaming-Anwendungen und auch bei der Leistungsaufnahme.

Antwort 2 Likes

Igor Wallossek

1

10,709 Kommentare 20,228 Likes

#3Aug 14, 2024

Ich habe meinem Sohn gerade einen 7800X3D gekauft, wenn ich sehe, wo der 5800X3D heute noch steht, sicher eine längerfristige Investition :D

War sogar günstig. Ich denke mal, nach dem Launch wird das Ding knapper und teurer, die 9000er liegen wie Blei im Regal. Brülldozer memories..

Antwort 6 Likes

Nulight

Veteran

272 Kommentare 183 Likes

#4Aug 14, 2024

Ja 7800X3D heiß, aber läuft super.
Beste Gaming CPU :)

Antwort Gefällt mir

#5Aug 14, 2024

@Igor Wallossek : ich hoffe du hast die Anweisung von AMD für die Zwingend erforderliche Treiberinstallation nicht so Spät bekommen wie andere Tester, so daß du doppelt testen musstest :)

Wenn ich diese Anleitung sehe (Quelle Gamers Nexus) :

View image at the forums

Bin ich schon raus bei der 9000 generation. Das gamebar ist beim Cleaninstall eins der ersten Schrott Features die gehen müssen.
Sollten die 3D versionen echte Gamechanger ohne Gamebar Müll und coreparkingfehler werden, dann werden sie interessant.
Wenn dem nicht so ist mache ich es ähnlich wie beim Sockel AM4 und lasse die ersten 2 1/2 Gens aus und starte bei Zen 6.
Ich gehe nach den ersten Leaks nicht davon aus das Intel zurück kommt. Bei 4% Performance gewinn und nahezu dem selben Stromhunger wie zuvor sind sie (vermutlich) schon vor release Ko.

Antwort 1 Like

K

Kreier

Mitglied

34 Kommentare 24 Likes

#6Aug 14, 2024

Oh das ist aber eine ordentliche Enttäuschung bisher, hoffentlich können sie das noch "zurecht-patchen". Mein treuer alter 3950x sollte eigentlich in einiger Zeit durch einen 9950x abgelöst werden. Die alte CPU schlägt sich aber in allen Bereichen nach wie vor erstunlich wacker, muss ich sagen, insofern besteht noch kein Druck, schnell was neues anzuschaffen.
Danke auf jeden Fall für den umfangreichen Test des neuen Hoffnungsträgers!

Antwort Gefällt mir

roccale

Mitglied

82 Kommentare 58 Likes

#7Aug 14, 2024

My 2 cents:

they claimed +16% ipc and it's not like that
Compared to 9700x/9600x you can't even get stuck on the limitations imposed by the tdp.
9950x vs 7950x both at 170w is a nice +9% ipc in cb24.
LOL, amd is always the same as vega...unmotivated hype, invented numbers and immature products to improve like a fruit that takes years to ripen.
Well I don't know... we're doing well everywhere, in the meantime by playing this usual game it has given hope to Intel that is not doing well.

Antwort 1 Like

M

Midnight Angel

Mitglied

70 Kommentare 40 Likes

#8Aug 14, 2024

Schaunwermal - wenn die X3D in Anwendungen und Spielen gegenüber ihren Vorgängern genauso zulegen wie die bisherigen 9000er, sehe ich den 9800X3D und den 9950X3D jetzt nicht als schlechte CPU an...

Antwort Gefällt mir

Ghoster52

Urgestein

1,507 Kommentare 1,166 Likes

#9Aug 14, 2024

Der war gut... 😂🤣😂

Antwort Gefällt mir

B

Besterino

Urgestein

7,018 Kommentare 3,593 Likes

#10Aug 14, 2024

7800X3D gerade für 350 Euro im Mindstar... höhöhö, mal schauen, wie lange noch...

Leider leider leider kann ich mit solchen Ergebnissen irgendwie nicht so wirklich rechtfertigen, von einem 13900KS auf die neuen AMDs umzusteigen. Kosten für komplett neue Plattform, aber wofür?

Naja, mal abwarten und schauen, was noch so kommt. Angeblich kommt von Intel im Oktober was und dann wird AMD sicherlich noch 9000er X3D bringen. Vielleicht ist bis dahin die Plattform ja gereift, so dass ich mir eine entsprechende Neuanschaffung schönreden kann...

Antwort 2 Likes

c

carrera

Veteran

135 Kommentare 81 Likes

#11Aug 14, 2024

View image at the forums

wird so neuerdings die Thermopaste aufgetragen? das wäre mal eine geile Schablone @DigitalBlizzard ...

Antwort 2 Likes

Igor Wallossek

1

10,709 Kommentare 20,228 Likes

#12Aug 14, 2024

Ja, sie kam erst Sonntagabend, ABER:
Sie kam auch schon beim 7950X und 7950X3D. Die Tester wussten also GENAU, was sie machen müssen. Ich habs letzte Woche schon gemacht, da ich immer ein frisches System aufsetze und den Scheiß beim dritten Launch schon automatisch mitmache :D

Das sind doch Basics und ich verstehe nicht, warum die Drama-Queen wieder zuschlägt. Wenn, dann ist das nur für die Endkunden doof, steht auch im Artikel.

Antwort 6 Likes

e

eastcoast_pete

Urgestein

1,782 Kommentare 1,115 Likes

#13Aug 14, 2024

@Igor Wallossek : Zunächst Danke für den ausführlichen Test, der auch Licht und Schatten des neuen Zen5 Flaggschiffs (zumindest bis die X3D Variante kommt) gut beschreibt!
Frage: Einige Tester (zB Martin Böckmann von Golem) kommentierten, daß sie deutliche Unterschiede zwischen den beiden CCDs merkten, und führten dies auf die Praxis von AMD zurück, jeweils eine bessere Compute Kachel (im Binning) mit einer nicht so guten Kachel zu mischen, die aber trotzdem noch innerhalb der Mindestanforderungen testet. Ist Dir sowas hier auch aufgefallen, und ist das bei AMD CPUs mit 2 Compute Dies wirklich allgemein so?

Antwort Gefällt mir

8j0ern

Urgestein

2,879 Kommentare 938 Likes

#14Aug 14, 2024

Komisch unter Linux läuft alles Rund: https://www.phoronix.com/review/amd-ryzen-9950x-9900x/5

Einzelne Ausreiser gibt es dort aber auch, manchmal ist der 9900X schneller, das liegt wohl am größeren L3 Cache Pro Kern. ;)

Edit: Ich sehe da eher Microsoft am Schwitzen, als AMD.

Antwort 3 Likes

FfFCMAD

Urgestein

710 Kommentare 212 Likes

#15Aug 14, 2024

@Igor Wallossek Ich bin gespannt was passiert wenn du die PBO anfummelst

Antwort Gefällt mir

Dragotix

Neuling

3 Kommentare 1 Likes

#16Aug 14, 2024

die frage ist halt wann die x3d von der 9000er serie kommen, sollten die gut etwas mehr an takt abkönnen als die vorgänger ist da vielleicht noch am meisten drin.
Aber aktuell würde ich mir einfach auf AM4 nen 5700x3d kaufen oder eben nen 7800x3d und nix anderes.

Antwort Gefällt mir

FfFCMAD

Urgestein

710 Kommentare 212 Likes

#17Aug 14, 2024

Mein Einkauf ist jedenfalls erst einmal verschoben. Danke Igor. Wegen dir habe ich eine Vollbremsung hingelegt

Antwort 3 Likes

amd_man_bavarian

Veteran

294 Kommentare 143 Likes

#18Aug 14, 2024

Vermutlich war gerade kein Snickers zur Hand. Da kann es schonmal zu Dramen kommen :ROFLMAO:

Ging mir ebenso und weils nicht gereicht hat , habe ich noch den Rückwärtgang eingelegt .

Antwort 2 Likes

Dragotix

Neuling

3 Kommentare 1 Likes

#19Aug 14, 2024

ich würde gerne wissen wann die x3d kommen, sonst wirds dann doch eher nen 7800x3d

Antwort Gefällt mir

Alle Kommentare lesen unter igor´sLAB Community →

Danke für die Spende

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AMD Ryzen 9 9950X Gaming and Workstation Review - Some highlights in workstation applications and not consistent in games (28)

Igor Wallossek

Editor-in-chief and name-giver of igor'sLAB as the content successor of Tom's Hardware Germany, whose license was returned in June 2019 in order to better meet the qualitative demands of web content and challenges of new media such as YouTube with its own channel.

Computer nerd since 1983, audio freak since 1979 and pretty much open to anything with a plug or battery for over 50 years.

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AMD Ryzen 9 9950X Gaming and Workstation Review - Some highlights in workstation applications and not consistent in games (2024)

FAQs

Is AMD Ryzen 9 good for gaming? ›

Yes, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is still an excellent CPU for gaming and productivity even in 2024 thanks to its 12 cores and 24 threads. While it may not have support for pricier DDR5 RAM or PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs, you should have no problem keeping up with the latest titles for several years to come.

Which Ryzen is best for gaming and editing? ›

The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is simply the best gaming CPU around right now. It's certainly the best gaming chip that AMD has ever made, but it's also capably outperforming Intel's top CPU when it comes to gaming frame rates and is doing so for a lot less cash.

Is Ryzen or Intel better for workstation? ›

For workload handling, Intel Core i9 is better than AMD Ryzen 9. As Intel use the x86 hybrid architecture. This type of design will blend two types of cores to create a single powerhouse processor architecture. It will be as agile in single-threaded work as it is rich in threaded applications.

Which is better i9 or Ryzen 9 for gaming? ›

Bottom Line: For Most, the Ryzen 9. Factoring in specs, performance, price, and ancillary features, neither chip leaves the other in its dust when it comes to gaming and graphics performance. We'd still give a slight edge to the Core i9-9900K if sheer game frame rates are all that drives you.

Can Ryzen 9 run all games? ›

AMD Ryzen 7 and 9 are both meant for more serious gamers. The Ryzen 7 CPU comes with 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ryzen 9 CPU boasts 12 cores and 24 threads. This provides them with the processing power to run virtually any game at higher settings.

Is Ryzen 9 overkill? ›

With 12 cores, the Ryzen 9 7900X is overkill for gaming. There is no gaming set that would utilize this amount of cores and power. In fact, games aren't built to be played with a large number of cores and threads, normally this is a single-threaded task that has to be done with a low count of cores.

Does Ryzen 9 get hot? ›

Your processor has a very high TDP rating of 170 Watts. Almost as high as a minimum ThreadRipper processor. So you will need to have a CPU Cooler rated, in my opinion, at least greater than 200 watts TDP rated. The Maximum Operating Temperature of your processor is 95c.

Is it worth getting a Ryzen 9 over 7? ›

But the Ryzen 9 7950X3D's higher core count and superior boost clock speed may lead to enhanced gaming performance compared to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. However, for users primarily focused on gaming, the Ryzen 7 still presents a cost-effective option, providing a commendable balance between price and performance.

Is Ryzen 9 overkill for video editing? ›

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X

Each core also has 4nm processes, meaning a total transistor count of 16,630 million. This is important because smaller CPU processes mean better efficiency and performance. So, whether you're editing 4K or 8K videos, with this CPU powering your rig, it should be a breeze.

Which is better for gaming, Ryzen or Intel? ›

While Intel processors are preferred for high-end gaming due to their high clock speeds, Ryzen processors powered laptops are favoured for productivity tasks and versatile builds.

Can Ryzen be used for office work? ›

AI PCs powered by AMD Ryzen processors accelerate productivity, enhance collaboration, and let creativity flow for professional laptop users.

Which CPU is best for office work? ›

The Intel Core i5 processors here are ideal for performing virtually every type of educational task that is thrown at them; working within Microsoft Office, using video applications, browsing the web, using social media, partaking in distance learning, and more.

Which lasts longer, Ryzen or Intel? ›

Laptops powered by Ryzen processors usually have a lower clocking speed and are less aggressive than those with Intel processors, but they offer a longer battery life. Therefore, Ryzen powered laptops are a better choice for users who prioritize longer battery life and higher iGPU performance over the Core i series.

What is AMD Ryzen 9 equivalent to? ›

Both Intel Core i9 and AMD Ryzen 9 processors perform well in benchmarks, with each excelling in different areas. Intel Core i9 processors typically have a slight edge in single-threaded performance benchmarks, while AMD Ryzen 9 processors generally outperform in multi-threaded benchmarks.

Should I get Ryzen 9 or Ryzen 7? ›

If you want to play games and applications like video editing or 3D rendering that require multi-core performance, you may want to consider Ryzen 9. As it has double the core power, it allows faster and smoother multitasking experiences.

Is Ryzen 5 or 9 better? ›

AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

You can't beat the AMD Ryzen 9 chips for performance and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is one of the best value CPUs from this family. It doubles the number of cores and threads found inside the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X and boosts the clock speeds.

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