Recent reports indicate that evaluation samples of AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D processors have circulated to global press and influencer outlets. Leaks are expected to trickle out, going all the way up to a rumored March 11 lifting of review embargoes. Late last week, we reported on a double NDA-busting test system; utilizing Team Red's upcoming 16-core 3D V-Cache-equipped flagship gaming CPU, and a Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU. HXL (aka 9550pro) unearthed another example—their weekend sleuthing activities pointed to an alleged ASUS Silicon Prediction (SP) rating of 120. This tally was (reportedly) produced by a Ryzen 9 9950X3D sample unit. The predictive rating system sniffs out a candidate processor's quality and overclock potential.

An off-screen capture of an unidentified tester's UEFI BIOS session was posted to social media—the "MBEC-X870-0130" identifier points to a non-specific X870-based ASUS motherboard model. Leaked diagnostic information clearly shows a "Ryzen 9 9950X3D" processor (base clock 4.3 GHz) powering this particular test build. Its 120 ASUS SP score was cross-referenced with tallies shared by owners of Ryzen 7 9800X3D processors. As observed by VideoCardz, various examples of AMD's reigning gaming champion scored within the typical range of 113 to 118. The upcoming 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 12-core 9900X3D parts are predicted to offer only mild benefits (in gaming environs) over their 8-core sibling; so any sign of superiority will be celebrated as a victory.