AMD’s Ryzen 9000 processors are scheduled to launch later this month (31st July). Featuring the Zen 5 core architecture on TSMC’s 4nm (N4P) node, these CPUs will succeed the Ryzen 7000 family, and take on Intel’s Raptor Lake-S Refresh. We’ve extensively covered the architecture, specifications, and rumors surrounding these chips, but the benchmarks have started leaking out. According to a report from WCCFTech, the stock AMD Ryzen 9 9900X scores 33K points in the Cinebench R23 multi-threaded benchmark.
If this leak is legit, the Ryzen 9 9900X is slower than Intel’s 14th Gen Core i7-14700K at stock settings. Enabling Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) reduces the deficit, but the 14700K still leads by a slim margin. It’s worth noting that this is a pre-release sample, and performance may yet improve.
AMD is launching the Ryzen 9000 processors with lower power limits than their predecessors. While most of the Ryzen 7000X offerings have a TDP of 170W (PPT: 230W), the Zen 5 lineup features only one 170W SKU (Ryzen 9 9950X).
The Ryzen 9 9900X has a TDP of 120W, while the Ryzen 7 9700X and Ryzen 5 5 9600X run at a base clock of 65W. Despite the 40W deficit, the lower-end SKUs clock 100MHz higher than their predecessors, promising notably higher performance per watt. Gaming workloads tend to draw less power than content creation or scientific applications. That’s where the sub-$500 market is concentrated, explaining AMD’s decision to limit the TDPs on its lower-end parts.
AMD Ryzen 9000X3D: Zen 5 V-Cache Rumors
Another report from the outlet claims that the Ryzen 9000X3D chips will feature the same cache configuration as their predecessors. This implies that the Zen 5 3D V-Cache CPUs will pack the same 64 MB SRAM die as the Zen 4 3D offerings. We’re likely looking at the same 7nm die stacked atop the 4nm CCD, connected using TSMC’s 9-micron (or lower) TSVs.
Ergo, don’t expect a Ryzen 9 9950X3D with 2x 3D stacked dies or a Ryzen 7 9800X3D with increased SRAM (cache). However, it’ll be interesting if AMD launches the lower-end Ryzen 9 SKU with a 3D V-Cache variant. With the 7000X3D range, the 7900X3D was largely ignored as users either opted for the 7800X3D or the 7950X3D. However, the fact that it features 6 cores on each die implies that it uses recycled dies unsuitable for the other two configurations.
- The Ryzen 7 9800X3D will feature 96 MB of L3 cache (including 64 MB 3D stacked) and 8 MB of L2 cache (1 MB per core).
- The Ryzen 9 9950X3D will feature the same configuration, plus one Zen 5 CCD with 32 MB of L3 cache and 8 MB of L2 cache. This adds up to 128 MB of L3 and 16MB of L2 cache.
- The Ryzen 9 9950X3D will feature the same configuration as the 9950X3D but with 2 cores disabled on the two CCDs, including their respective L2 cache.
AMD’s Ryzen 9000X3D processors are expected to land this fall, likely in late September or early October. You can expect the same pricing as the Ryzen 7000X3D lineup but with considerable performance upgrades.
