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The new Ryzen 9 9950X is a hard sell for those already using a 7950X.
The initial wave of AMD's "Granite Ridge" Ryzen 9000 desktop processors (CPU) is now complete with the release of Ryzen 9 9950X and 9900X chips. They join the Ryzen 7 9700X and Ryzen 5 9600X chips released on August 8, 2024.
AMD's new Zen 5 CPUs bring performance gains and, in some cases, improved efficiency, but the jump from Zen 4 to Zen 5 might not be as major as some were expecting. This brings up a good question: is the new Ryzen 9 9950X worth buying over the Ryzen 9 7950X that was released two years ago?
I took a look at raw specs, pricing, and performance to help you make the right decision for your next PC upgrade or build.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs. Ryzen 9 7950X: Specs
The specifications that make up these chips aren't too dissimilar. Both chips have 16 cores and 32 threads, a maximum 5.7GHz boost clock, 16MB and 64MB L2 and L3 caches, and a 170W base TDP. The L1 cache is slightly different, with the new Ryzen 9 9950X climbing to 1,280KB compared to 1,024KB. The Zen 5 Ryzen 9 also drops its base clock to 4.3GHz compared to 4.5GHz.
Both chips are unlocked for overclocking, both are compatible with motherboards using the AM5 socket, and both support DDR5 RAM. The core tech is where things pull apart a bit. The Zen 4 Ryzen 9 7950X chip uses a 5nm process, whereas Zen 5 has shrunk the process to 4nm.
Here's a better look at the specs:
| Header Cell - Column 0 | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 32 | 16 / 32 |
| Architecture | Zen 5 | Zen 4 |
| Base Clock | 4.3GHz | 4.5GHz |
| Max Boost Clock | 5.7GHz | 5.7GHz |
| L1 Cache | 1280KB | 1024KB |
| L2 Cache | 16MB | 16MB |
| L3 Cache | 64MB | 64MB |
| Default TDP | 170W | 170W |
| Core Tech | TSMC 4nm FinFET | TSMC 5nm FinFET |
| Unlocked? | Yes | Yes |
| Socket | AM5 | AM5 |
| Launch Price | $649 | $700 |
| Current Price | $649 | ~$518 |
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs. Ryzen 9 7950X: Price and availability
The Ryzen 9 7950X might be two years old, but it's still a great CPU in 2024. (Image credit: Future)
AMD's new Ryzen 9 9950X is now available for purchase at retailers like Newegg and Best Buy. It costs $649, which is $50 less than the launch price for the Ryzen 9 7950X.
The Ryzen 9 7950X is still readily available at major retailers like Best Buy, Newegg, Amazon, and Walmart, and it has come down in price in time since its release. You can now usually find it for about $518, which is considerably more affordable than the new Ryzen 9 9950X.
Neither chip compared here comes with a bundled cooler, so you'll need to factor the extra cost into your build. AMD suggests a liquid cooler for these chips in order to avoid thermal throttling and maximize performance. Many of the best coolers for the Ryzen 9 7950X will cross over for the Ryzen 9 9950X.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs. Ryzen 9 7950X: Zen 5 against Zen 4
The new Ryzen 9 9950X isn't a huge upgrade over the 7950X. (Image credit: Ben Wilson | Windows Central)
Performance gains between Zen 4 and Zen 5 aren't as large as some were expecting, but they're gains nonetheless. Windows Central Editor Ben Wilson reviewed the Ryzen 9 9950X, saying:
"AMD's new top-end consumer processor is more expensive than its Intel rival, and there isn't much to say about the Ryzen 9 9950X besides that it's the most powerful desktop CPU in the world, at least before you resort to workstation-grade Threadripper chips. A $649 MSRP will sting but allows the best single-core and multi-core benchmarking test scores I've seen to date. It's a beast, topping the charts and doing everything it claims to, albeit reliant on some demanding system requirements."
You can expect better single- and multi-core performance with the Ryzen 9 9950X, but as you can see in the table below, the 7950X isn't too far behind.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 5 (single / multi) | 2,585 / 24,821 | 2,198 / 23,334 |
| 7-Zip 32MB (com / decom) | 167MB/s / 2,986MB/s | 156MB/s / 2,886 |
| Cinebench R23 (single / multi) | 2,263 / 40,253 | 1,967 / 35,914 |
Considering the Ryzen 9 9950X didn't get a TDP drop to make it more efficient, there's almost no reason to upgrade to the newer chip if you already have a Ryzen 9 7950X. In former Windows Central Senior Editor Rich Edmonds' Ryzen 9 7950X review, he stated:
"Performance in Blender is excellent, and you won't have time to fetch a cup of tea while Corona runs. These processors are excellent for intensive workloads, and the improvements AMD has made to the AM5 platform with the latest round of processors are noticeable even when simply playing around in Windows 11 (or your favorite flavor of Linux). Everything ... seems faster."
Enthusiasts who want to keep their system as up-to-date as possible and don't mind throwing some money around can grab those slight gains with the 9950X, but otherwise, those who have the 7950X should be happy with what they have.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs. Ryzen 9 7950X: Which should you buy?
The Ryzen 9 7950X remains a great choice for creators and gamers. (Image credit: Future)
Making the right choice here comes down to budget and what you're already using in your PC. If you're coming from, say, a Ryzen 5000X CPU, you're going to see a rather impressive bump in performance with the Ryzen 9 9950X. On the other hand, if you already have a Ryzen 9 7950X, there's almost no reason to upgrade to the newer chip.
And even if you are working with an older CPU that's seen better days, ignoring the 9000 series and going for the Ryzen 9 7950X can save you anywhere from $100 to $150 depending on promotions.
These processors are made for creative work and gaming, and those who split time between the two should be happy with the performance. However, PC gamers who want a CPU specifically for gaming should either wait for the Ryzen 9000 X3D variants or check out the Ryzen 9 7950X3D. It usually costs about $525 and will be the better choice against the Ryzen 9 9950X.
Hope you enjoyed this news post.
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