AMD Ryzen™ 9 9900X 3D Processor, 12 Cores/24 Unlocked Threads, Zen 5 Architecture, 140 L2/L3 Cache, 120W TDP, Up to 5.5 GHz Boost Frequency, Socket AM5, DDR5 & PCIe 5.0, No Cooler

A fantastic CPU for gaming and productivity, I mainly use my cpu for programming and compiling large codebases. This CPU tears through them with ease, and when I want to game. AMD will park one CCD (the cores without the 3d cache), and the CPU blazes through games alike. Make sure your bios is flashed to the latest version and ensure that you have "AMD 3d cache optimizer" service running. I installed this CPU from a R9 5900x, so the driver installation went smoothly. I have my machine paired with a RTX 5080, and gaming in 1440p with a consistent 120fps with ray tracing.Power draw is very good and efficient, I am running my games at 1440p with all graphic settings set to their highest level, and the CPU is drawing from the range ~90-150w (give or take, your mileage will vary depending on what else you have running in the background). Temperatures are very good too, I am using the Noctua NH-D15 G2 air cooler, and the temperatures do not exceed 60°C (I have 10 Noctua NF-P12 case fans), again your mileage will vary, but temperatures and power draw are amazing on this cpu.Though the value of this CPU is debatable when its much more powerful older brother R9 9950x3d is available at msrp £799, when I checked (at the time of writing) it was retailing for ~£800. This CPU has 6 solid cores per CCD, and it truly is enough for my workload.I recommend this CPU if you want to game or compile, but if you need more power. The R9 9950x3d is there, although it may tear a bigger hole in your wallet than this.

The Ryzen 9 9900X3D is like a grey cup—solid, reliable, and packed with what you need. This CPU delivers incredible performance, seamlessly blending gaming and productivity. It offers the same raw gaming performance as the 9950X3D but with fewer cores, making it a fantastic value for the price.If gaming is your only focus, I’d recommend the 9800X3D instead, as it excels in single-threaded performance and higher base speed, which most games rely on. However, if you need a balance between gaming and creative workloads, the 9950X3D is the best choice. That said, the 9900X3D sits perfectly in between—offering strong gaming performance while still handling multitasking and productivity well.For the price, this CPU is an excellent choice for those who want versatility without overspending.