AMD has officially released its flagship Ryzen 9 3950X desktop CPU. It will be available for purchase starting November 25th for $749 (USD). The processor is the flagship model in AMD’s 3000 Series desktop CPU lineup.
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X CPU – What Are Its Specifications?
The specifications of the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X CPU have been available for some time now but AMD has officially confirmed them. It is based on AMD’s Zen 2 architecture. Ryzen 9 3950X processor has 16 cores and 32 threads. It features two chiplets fabricated on TSMC’s 7nm process and a 14nm-based I/O die. It supports the AM4 socket that AMD has been using since the first generation of its Ryzen processors.
The CPU will have a base frequency of 3.5GHz and a boost frequency of up to 4.7GHz. The boost clock is the highest among AMD’s current Ryzen 3000 desktop offerings. It seems AMD has reserved the best silicon for its flagship.
Ryzen 9 3950X CPU comes with 72MB of cache (8MB L2 + 64MB L3) and has a TDP of 105W. AMD has opted for solder instead of TIM which leads to better heat transfer. The TDP rating is for the base clock and will be higher when the processor is boosting. It will be interesting to see the real-world TDP and temperatures of the CPU under load.
AMD is doing an Intel by not including any air cooler in the box. Instead, the company recommends an AIO or a liquid cooling solution with at least a 280mm radiator for the Ryzen 9 3950X processor.
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X CPU – How Well It Performs?
While the reviews of the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X desktop processor have not been out yet, AMD has released a few slides regarding the same. It is targeting content creators with this CPU and has opted for benchmarks and software used by them. The Ryzen 9 3950X CPU is miles ahead of Intel’s Core i9 9900K mainstream CPU and the 12-core, 24-thread Core i9 9920X HEDT CPU.
AMD also claims that the gaming performance of the Ryzen 9 3950X is at par with Intel Core i9 9900K in quite a few popular titles. It is possible considering the higher boost clock of the processor, but it is best to wait for independent reviews to confirm the same.
A key point where AMD is a clear winner is power efficiency. The Ryzen 9 3950X CPU consumes less power as compared to Intel’s aforementioned processors. However, it is not a surprise considering AMD’s CPU is fabricated on the smaller 7nm node.
AMD is introducing a brand new Eco mode for its 3rd Gen Ryzen processors. The mode will reduce power consumption and temperatures while limiting performance by a small margin.
The Ryzen 9 3950X processor has been highly anticipated by enthusiasts for some time now, and they will be able to get their hands on one in about a couple of weeks.
