Large language models (LLMs) love large quantities of memory—so much so, in fact, that AI enthusiasts are turning to multi-GPU setups to make even more VRAM available for their AI apps. But since many current LLMs are extremely large, even this approach has its limits. At times, the GPU will decide to make use of CPU processing power for this data, and when it does, the performance of your CPU cache and DRAM comes into play. All this means that when it comes to the performance of AI applications, it's not just the GPU that matters, but the entire pathway that connects the GPU to the CPU to the I/O die to the DRAM modules. It stands to reason, then, that there are opportunities to boost AI performance by optimizing these elements.

That's exactly what we've found as we've spent time in our R&D labs with the latest AMD Ryzen CPUs. AMD just launched two new Ryzen CPUs with AMD 3D V-Cache Technology, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D, pushing the series into new performance territory. After testing a wide range of optimizations in a variety of workloads, we uncovered a range of settings that offer tangible benefits for AI enthusiasts. Now, we're ready to share these optimizations with you through a new BIOS feature: AI Cache Boost. Available through an ASUS AMD 800 Series motherboard and our most recent firmware update, AI Cache Boost can accelerate performance up to 12.75% when you're working with massive LLMs.

iBUYPOWER, a leading system integrator of high-performance custom and prebuilt gaming PCs, announced today the general availability of computer systems using AMD's new line of AMD Ryzen 9 9000X3D series CPUs - the 9900X3D and 9950X3D. Starting today, customers eager to jump into the world of PC gaming can now do so with an AMD Ryzen-equipped computer, which is backed by iBUYPOWER's comprehensive warranty consisting of three years labor and two-years parts.

AMD's Ryzen 9 9000X3D Series processors are built with exclusive AMD 3D V-Cache technology, enabling the largest on-chip memory available on a gaming processor with up-to 144 Megabytes. The new CPUs were also designed for AMD's AM5 platform, which is enabled with the fastest DDR5 memory speeds, and is equipped with PCIe 5.0 for incredible bandwidth. Those who purchase an iBUYPOWER system with a new 9000X3D Series processor can feel ultimate performance in any game or creative workload with AMD EXPO technology, which was designed for increased frequencies to unlock higher and smoother frame rates.

Earlier today, AMD confirmed finalized price points and a launch date for its two incoming additions to the Ryzen 9000X3D processor lineup. The current Zen 5 processor population (with 3D V-Cache onboard) has a count of one—Team Red's reigning gaming champion: the eight-core Ryzen 7 9800X3D model. AMD's Senior Vice President and General Manager of Computing and Graphics was the first staffer to make an official announcement regarding definitive talking points. Jack Huynh stated (via a social media post): the world's best processor for gaming and content creation is almost here. Available starting March 12th. Ryzen 9 9950X3D—$699. Ryzen 9 9900X3D—$599. A huge thank you to our incredible community of gamers, creators, and innovators for your continued support. Together, we're shaping the future of gaming and content creation! Let's level up together!"

The sixteen-core Ryzen 9 9950X3D and twelve-core 9900X3D SKUs were officially unveiled at CES 2025, in early January. Since then, many leaks have emerged online—certain soothsayers were bang on with their predictions. Almost a month ago, speculative $699 and $599 price points were leaked. On two separate occasions, a—now confirmed—March 12 launch day was projected. AMD is expected to lift media embargoes on March 11; reviews of finalized silicon will finally reveal whether the two new players can beat their incumbent sibling in gaming performance benchmarks. As reported this afternoon, China's JD.com retail platform has opened its order book to customers—a limited quantity of Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D units were made available for a short period of time.

AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D processors are reportedly due to launch mid-way through next week (March 12)—this "unofficial" release date was revealed by JD.com listings. Yesterday's report focused on the popular Chinese e-commerce platform's apparent leaking of Team Red's mid-March schedule. Last month, a local tipster—Golden Pig Upgrade—also alluded to a possible March 12 rollout of 16 and 12-core 3D V-Cache-equipped Zen 5 chips. In a surprise move, JD has started selling Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D units. Earlier today, ITHome spotted updated product pages—JD disclosed that it was prepping an earlier than expected sale: "limited time and limited quantity available at 20:00 (local time) on March 7."

Officially, AMD has only teased a loose March launch window for its latest Ryzen Niners. VideoCardz has kept track of the company's recent announcements, and opines that the Ryzen 9000X3D release strategy is strange one. Embargoes for reviewer and influencers are tipped for lifting on March 11, so JD's premature sale of Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D processors clashes with this schedule. JD's unusual 20:00 release time was highlighted by VideoCardz; they reckon that the 22:00 hour is a more appropriate kick-off time. It is possible that the limited quantity/short period sale was a mislabeled promotion for pre-orders—something could be lost in translation (see primary screenshot below), but similar events were reported in recent history.

COLORFUL has introduced a compelling new "X3D Gaming Mode" for its AM5-socketed motherboard models. The Chinese manufacturer previewed this newly supported feature via their official Weibo video channel—naturally, this mode was advertised as working in conjunction with compatible AMD Ryzen 7000X3D and 9000X3D processors. Curiously, COLORFUL did mention that non-3D V-Cache-equipped AM5 CPUs can work with their "X3D Gaming Mode." The aforementioned preview video demonstrates this new feature—accessed via the showcased B650 motherboard's BIOS interface—disabling Simultaneous Multi-Threading (SMT) on an involved processor. The population of dual-CCD Team Red 3D V-Cache models is set to grow this month, with the upcoming launch of Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D chips.

COLORFUL's X3D Gaming Mode is touted to improve performance on dual-CCD CPUs, since it will disable the second unit. By transferring workloads to the (active) primary CCD, latency is reduced—thus boosting in-game performance. COLORFUL claimed that frame rates—in PUBG—increased by 17%, following the enabling of their snazzy X3D Gaming Mode. Wccftech opined on this scenario: "for processors like Ryzen 9 9900X3D and Ryzen 9 9950X3D, the X3D Gaming Mode is more ideal than on the single CCD non-X3D processors (e.g. Ryzen 7 9800X3D). Keep in mind that the performance of the Ryzen 9 9900X3D may be affected noticeably when one of its CCDs gets disabled. Since the processor brings only six cores on each CCD, it may not be ideal for a lot of users...Colorful's X3D Gaming Mode reminds us of Gigabyte's X3D Turbo Mode, but the latter works a bit differently and doesn't disable SMT or CCD but tweaks some CPU parameters." A "halved" Ryzen 9 9950X3D (16-core) is expected to behave in a similar manner to the current reigning champion (8-core) within gaming ecosystems.

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.

We have noticed an uptick of AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D-related leaks in mid-to-late February; suggesting an imminent launch. Officially, a Q1 release window was set by Team Red leadership during their CES 2025 presentation, and further disclosures pointed to a loose March window. Earlier today, Golden Pig Upgrade disclosed NDA-busting information—the veteran leaker believes that AMD will be lifting global Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU review embargoes on March 11. VideoCardz jumped on this unofficial announcement, and reached out to industry insiders. The anonymous contacts reported back; they allege that a March 12 retail release is on the cards.

It is believed that the 16-core and 12-core X3D-equipped "Granite Ridge" Ryzen 9 desktop chips will roll out on the same day (March 12). Coincidentally, Golden Pig Upgrade reckons that Intel's Core Ultra 200HX "Arrow Lake" mobile processor series will launch alongside Team Red's high-end gaming duo. The latter two are touted to attract the majority of press attention on day one. As pointed out by VideoCardz, the release of Radeon RX 9070 GPUs is—speculatively—scheduled a week in advance of AMD's expansion of its Ryzen 9000X3D lineup. Early last week, price points were leaked—courtesy of accidental Newegg listings: $699.99 for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, and $599.99 for the 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X3D.

AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D "Zen 5" processors are due for launch next month, but an exact date has not been announced. Currently, Team Red's 3D V-Cache-equipped Ryzen 9000 CPU series is composed of a single SKU: the popular eight-core Ryzen 7 9800X3D model. A new leak points to a possible imminent lineup expansion; the sixteen-core Ryzen 9 9950X3D and twelve-core Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPUs have finally popped up on Geekbench Browser. Both candidates seemed to be tested on the same PC platform; utilizing a GIGABYTE X670 AORUS ELITE AX motherboard and 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) of DDR5-4800 MT/s RAM. Notebookcheck

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D sample scored overall with 3363 (single-core) and 20,465 points (multi-core) in Geekbench 6.3. As expected, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D candidate's overall tallies came in slightly lower—it achieved 3274 (single-core) and 19,227 points (multi-core) overall. Press outlets were quick to compare these figures to prior generation outputs (refer to Wccftech's chart, below). On average, the incoming "Zen 5" parts surpass "Zen 4" equivalents by an average of 15%—in terms of single-core performance. Multi-core performance improvements are less significant; coming in at an average of 7%. The range-topping Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU's multi-core performance score is "lower than expected," but closer-to-launch optimizations could rectify this matter. Geekbench results often do not reflect the true potential of tested silicon; gamers tend to dismiss or completely ignore these data points. Last month, an AMD executive revealed that the two upcoming X3D Granite Ridge desktop chips: "will provide similar overall gaming performance to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D." Speculative price points—of $699 (16-core) & $599 (12-core)—leaked online last week.

ASRock, a global leader in motherboards, graphics cards, gaming monitors, small form factor PCs, and power supply units, proudly announces that its entire lineup of AM5 motherboards fully supports the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D processors. With this seamless compatibility, gamers can harness the full potential of these flagship processors for an unparalleled gaming experience.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D processors are the flagship models of the Ryzen 9000X3D series, designed for hardcore gaming enthusiasts who demand the ultimate in gaming performance. ASRock AM5 motherboards offer seamless compatibility with the Ryzen 9000X3D series, making them the ideal choice for gamers worldwide to experience the power of the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D processors firsthand.