GuidesComparisonsRyzen 9 9950X Vs Ryzen 9 9900X - Our Recommendation
Ryzen 9 9950X Vs Ryzen 9 9900X – Our Recommendation
In this comparison, we will thoroughly explore the performance metrics and operational efficiency of these processors to unravel the processor that delivers superior value and overall excellence.
At Tech4Gamers, I proudly wear the title of Comparisons Specialist. Focused on CPUs and GPUs, I bring forth a wealth of hands-on experience and a keen eye for detail to provide our audience with the latest insights and analyses.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
Rated: 9.4/10
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
Rated: 9.5/10
Pros And Cons
CPU
Pros
Cons
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
✅ Great overall performance
✅ Advanced Zen 5 architecture
❌ Not much of a change
❌ No NPU for AI acceleration
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
✅ Great Value for price
✅ High operating efficiency
❌ No NPU for AI acceleration
Key Takeaways
In our examination, the Ryzen 9 9950X delivered 4.77% enhanced frame rates while gaming at 1080p compared to the Ryzen 9 9900X, thus improving the gameplay experience.
Regarding CPU operating efficiency, the Ryzen 9 9900X runs at a notable 12% power draw alongside a 7.67% better thermal efficiency than the Ryzen 9 9950X.
The August 2024 price of the Ryzen 9 9950X is around $623, 38.75% more than the $449 cost of the Ryzen 9 9900X.
We recommend the Ryzen 9 9950X for top-tier gaming, but the Ryzen 9 9900X offers excellent value without sacrificing performance.
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Architecture: The Ryzen 9 9950X and the Ryzen 9 9900X harness the cutting-edge prowess of AMD’s Zen 5 architecture to deliver an exceptional performance leap while being efficient processors.
CPU Socket: Regarding the socket for motherboard connectivity, AMD continues to utilize the robust AMD AM5 socket, featuring 1718 pins, a consistent feature from previous-generation AMD processors..
Process Node: According to design specs provided by AMD, the CPU cores of the two processors are crafted using TSMC’s cutting-edge 4nm process, while the I/O dies are fabricated on a refined 6nm node.
Clock Speed: The Ryzen 9 9900X holds a slight edge in the base clock, exceeding 0.1 GHz, a 2.3% faster rate. However, in terms of boost clock, the Ryzen 9 9950X takes the lead with a meaningful 1.8% edge.
Integrated Graphics: AMD provides Radeon integrated graphics in the Ryzen 9 9950X and the Ryzen 9 9900X. The iGPUs feature 2 graphics cores and can reach a maximum frequency of 2200 MHz.
AMD recently unveiled the Ryzen 9 9950X and 9900X, marking the peak of Ryzen 9 performance. Amid AMD’s architectural evolution to Zen 5, we expect remarkable CPU performance and efficiency gains. Let’s proceed with this comparison to evaluate their effectiveness and performance in the real world.
Gaming Benchmarks
The Ryzen 9 9950X leads the Ryzen 9 9900X in cores and threads, with minimal differences in other specs. Let’s now pit the Ryzen 9 9950X vs Ryzen 9 9900X in a severe gaming battle to determine the effect of this core count difference and see which Ryzen 9 processor emerges as the dominant force in performance and efficiency.
Black Myth: Wukong Benchmarks at 1080p – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
Starting with our benchmarks for Black Myth: Wukong, the Ryzen 9 9950X delivers a 4.76% improvement in average performance at 110 FPS, compared to the Ryzen 9 9900X’s 105 FPS.
For the 1% low performance, the Ryzen 9 9950X reached 81 FPS, while the Ryzen 9 9900X managed 77 FPS, showing a 5.19% advantage.
Cyberpunk 2077 – RT
Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing Benchmarks at 1080p – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
While playing Cyberpunk 2077 with Ray Tracing ON, the Ryzen 9 9950X provides a 6.25% boost in average performance, reaching 157 FPS over the Ryzen 9 9900X’s 144 FPS.
In the 1% low metric, the Ryzen 9 9950X recorded 115 FPS, while the Ryzen 9 9900X settled at 109 FPS, marking a 5.50% gain.
F1 23 – RT
F1 23 with ray tracing Benchmarks at 1080p – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
During F1 23 with ray tracing enabled, the Ryzen 9 9950X offered 3.24% better average performance at 191 FPS, compared to the Ryzen 9 9900X’s 185 FPS.
For the lowest 1% performance, the Ryzen 9 9950X achieved 112 FPS, while the Ryzen 9 9900X delivered 108 FPS, a 3.70% improvement.
Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West Benchmarks at 1080p – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
In our Horizon Forbidden West tests, the Ryzen 9 9950X outperforms the Ryzen 9 9900X by 2.95%, with an average of 174 FPS against 169 FPS.
At the 1% low, the Ryzen 9 9950X reached 120 FPS, while the Ryzen 9 9900X hit 118 FPS, showing a 1.69% lead.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Flight Simulator Benchmarks at 1080p – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
Our benchmarks for Microsoft Flight Simulator show that the Ryzen 9 9950X achieves a 2.83% higher average at 109 FPS, compared to 106 FPS with the Ryzen 9 9900X.
At the lowest 1% performance, the Ryzen 9 9950X clocks in at 90 FPS, while the Ryzen 9 9900X lags at 81 FPS, an 11.11% increase.
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Benchmarks at 1080p – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
In our trials with Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, the Ryzen 9 9950X demonstrated 3.90% better average performance, hitting 213 FPS versus 205 FPS on the Ryzen 9 9900X.
For 1% low performance, the Ryzen 9 9950X reached 130 FPS, while the Ryzen 9 9900X followed with 120 FPS, an 8.33% improvement.
Remnant 2
Remnant 2 Benchmarks at 1080p – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
When benchmarking Remnant 2, the Ryzen 9 9950X showed a 3.84% increase in average performance, running at 135 FPS compared to the Ryzen 9 9900X’s 130 FPS.
The lowest 1% performance saw the Ryzen 9 9950X at 93 FPS, outperforming the Ryzen 9 9900X’s 91 FPS by 2.19%.
Star Wars Outlaws
Star Wars Outlaws Benchmarks at 1080p – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
During our session of Star Wars Outlaws, the Ryzen 9 9950X performed 8.92% better on average at 122 FPS, surpassing the Ryzen 9 9900X’s 112 FPS.
At the 1% low, the Ryzen 9 9950X managed 82 FPS, while the Ryzen 9 9900X delivered 75 FPS, marking a 9.33% edge.
Overall Gaming Performance
Frame Rate
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
Average FPS
151.4 📈
144.5 📈
1% lows
102.9 📉
97.4 📉
Winner: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
As per our performance comparison of the Ryzen 9 9950X vs Ryzen 9 9900X, the Ryzen 9 9900X reached a solid average of 144.5 FPS. Yet, the Ryzen 9 9950X surpasses it with a 4.77% higher average of 151.4 FPS. Furthermore, the Ryzen 9 9950X displayed a 5.64% increase in the 1% low, delivering smoother gameplay and reducing stuttering by averaging 102.9 FPS.
Editor`s Note
The Ryzen 9 9900X offers 0.32 FPS per dollar with better power and thermal efficiency, while the Ryzen 9 9950X provides 0.24 FPS per dollar, using more power and running hotter. In my opinion, the Ryzen 9 9900X is a better value option. Check how the Ryzen 9 9950X competes with Intel’s top variant, Core i9-14900K.
– Uzair Qureshi
Power Efficiency
Game
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X (W)
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X (W)
Black Myth: Wukong
136
105
Cyberpunk 2077 - RT
134
111
F1 23 - RT
117
102
Horizon Forbidden West
144
119
Microsoft Flight Simulator
106
99
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
135
132
Remnant 2
111
108
Star Wars Outlaws
125
124
Average Gaming Power Draw
126.0 ⚡
112.5 ⚡
Winner: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
During our power efficiency evaluation, the Ryzen 9 9900X demonstrated a notable 12.0% boost in power efficiency, consuming 112.5 watts compared to the Ryzen 9 9950X’s 126.0 watts in 1080p gaming. Across our sessions, the Ryzen 9 9900X averaged 1.28 FPSper watt, reflecting a 7.03% improvement in efficiency over the Ryzen 9 9950X’s 1.20 FPSper watt.
Thermal Efficiency
Game
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X (°C)
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X (°C)
Black Myth: Wukong
65
60
Cyberpunk 2077 - RT
70
62
F1 23 - RT
68
59
Horizon Forbidden West
69
66
Microsoft Flight Simulator
62
60
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
62
59
Remnant 2
64
61
Star Wars Outlaws
67
63
Average Gaming Temperature
65.9 🌡️
61.2 🌡️
Winner: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
Looking at the gaming temperature data from our benchmarks of the Ryzen 9 9950X vs Ryzen 9 9900X, the Ryzen 9 9950X averaged 65.9°C during 1080p gameplay, while the Ryzen 9 9900X maintained a lower 61.2°C. Therefore, the Ryzen 9 9900X provides superior thermal efficiency, beating the Ryzen 9 9950X by 7.67%.
Price And Availability
CPU
Launch MSRP
Current Price
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
💲649
💲623
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
💲499
💲449
Price Difference
30.0%
38.5%
The Ryzen 9 9900X, initially priced lower, now sells 11.1% below launch price, while the Ryzen 9 9950X has only dropped 4.0%. Concerning availability, the Ryzen 9 9950X is readily accessible across all platforms, whereas securing the Ryzen 9 9900X may require a bit more effort, though it is available in the market.
What We Recommend?
Ryzen 9 9950X: The Ryzen 9 9950X is AMD’s pinnacle desktop processor, delivering excellent gaming performance. It leverages prime specs and technology of the time. Still, we expected a greater performance level from the Ryzen 9 9950X.
Ryzen 9 9900X: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is an exceptionally designed, high-performance processor with remarkable specifications at a significantly lower price point than its flagship counterpart. According to our benchmarks, it provides about 32.4% more FPS per dollar than the Ryzen 9 9950X.
We recommend the Ryzen 9 9950X for better performance, regardless of cost. The Ryzen 9 9900X offers excellent performance and efficiency if cost is a factor. However, you can also explore our latest Intel processor comparisons to find even better performance alternatives within the same budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Ryzen 9 9950X need core parking?
The Ryzen 9 9950X uses core parking to improve CPU performance by reducing latency between its two core complex dies (CCDs). The Ryzen 9 9900X also needs core parking for the same reason.
Which processor offers more value, the Ryzen 9 9950X or the Ryzen 9 9900X?
While the Ryzen 9 9950X delivers exceptional performance, the Ryzen 9 9900X offers approximately 32.4% more value when factoring in its cost and power efficiency.
I’m a passionate computer hardware expert specializing in CPUs and GPUs. With a lifelong curiosity for hardware and extensive hands-on experience, I provide valuable insights, practical advice, and in-depth analysis on these components. Engaging with the hardware community, I exchange knowledge and stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
