AMD Ryzen 9 7950X: The King of Content Creation and Gaming CPU.

AMD’s 7800X3D successor is also better at non-gaming workloads this time.

AMD has dominated PC gaming CPU performance for more than two years. Its X3D crisps have provided a boost that Intel couldn't match, and its new $479 Ryzen 7 9800X3D goes a step further, improving not only gaming performance but also everyday tasks and creative workloads.

The first Zen 5 desktop CPUs disappointed in gaming, but the 9800X3D, which launches Nov. 7, brings some big improvements over the already great Ryzen 7 7800X3D. I’ve been testing it for the past week and have noticed big improvements in productivity workloads and a jump of about 8 percent in gaming performance.

Just like the $449 7800X3D, the 9800X3D should be your next CPU if you primarily play games on your PC.

AMD’s new Ryzen 7 9800X3D is based on the Zen 5 architecture and features second-generation 3D V-Cache. AMD has improved the base and boost clock speeds to make this CPU better for both gaming and productivity tasks.

479 $ at Best Buy

The productivity improvements AMD has made with the 9800X3D are largely due to a redesign of the processor. AMD uses the second generation of its 3D-V cache technology, where the cache now sits under the processor cores. This is a big difference, which means that the processor cores have better access to cooling and the cache is now less sensitive to high temperatures.