
Ryzen 9 9900X

Ryzen 9 9900X3D
Ryzen 9 9900X vs Ryzen 9 9900X3D Performance Spectrum
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Ryzen 9 9900X vs Ryzen 9 9900X3D FPS Benchmarks
Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.
Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Valorant

Among Us

Apex Legends

ARC Raiders

Baldur's Gate 3

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Ryzen 9 9900X vs Ryzen 9 9900X3D: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
Ryzen 9 9900X
2024Why buy it
- ✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 16.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 109.3 vs 94.0 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
Trade-offs
- ❌No 3D V-Cache or similar L3 advantage, which matters in CPU-limited gaming (64 MB vs 128 MB).
- ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (19,756 vs 26,000).
Ryzen 9 9900X3D
2025Why buy it
- ✅Massive L3 cache advantage with 128 MB vs 64 MB, which is a real win in CPU-limited gaming.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 94.0 vs 109.3 PassMark/$ ($599 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 9 9900X3D better than Ryzen 9 9900X?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 9 9900X vs Ryzen 9 9900X3D Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.


Ryzen 9 9900X
The Ryzen 9 9900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 15 August 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Granite Ridge (2024−2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 54,530 points. Launch price was $499.


Ryzen 9 9900X3D
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Granite Ridge (2024−2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.5 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 56,301 points. Launch price was $599.
Processing Power
Both the Ryzen 9 9900X and Ryzen 9 9900X3D share an identical 12-core/24-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.6 GHz on the Ryzen 9 9900X versus 5.5 GHz on the Ryzen 9 9900X3D — a 1.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 9900X (base: 4.4 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). Both are built on the Granite Ridge (2024−2025) architecture using a 4 nm process. In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 9900X scores 54,530 against the Ryzen 9 9900X3D's 56,301 — a 3.2% lead for the Ryzen 9 9900X3D. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,401 vs 3,400, a 0% lead for the Ryzen 9 9900X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 19,756 vs 26,000 (27.3% advantage for the Ryzen 9 9900X3D). L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 9900X vs 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 9900X3D.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 9900X | Ryzen 9 9900X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24 | 12 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 5.6 GHz+2% | 5.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4.4 GHz | 4.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 64 MB (total) | 128 MB (total)+100% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 4 nm | 4 nm |
| Architecture | Granite Ridge (2024−2025) | Granite Ridge (2024−2025) |
| PassMark | 54,530 | 56,301+3% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 33,003 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 3,401 | 3,400 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 19,756 | 26,000+32% |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the AM5 socket with PCIe 5.0. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Ryzen 9 9900X supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 24 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: A620,B650,X670,X870 (Ryzen 9 9900X) and X670,X670E,X870,X870E (Ryzen 9 9900X3D).
| Feature | Ryzen 9 9900X | Ryzen 9 9900X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM5 | AM5 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-5600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 256 GB+33% | 192 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | Yes | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | 24 |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Radeon 610M (Ryzen 9 9900X) and AMD Radeon Graphics (2 Cores) (Ryzen 9 9900X3D) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 9900X3D targets High End Gaming/Creation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 9900X3D rivals Core Ultra 9 285K.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 9900X | Ryzen 9 9900X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Radeon 610M | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 Cores) |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | High End Gaming/Creation |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Ryzen 9 9900X was priced at $499, while the Ryzen 9 9900X3D came in at $599. On launch pricing ($499 vs $599), Ryzen 9 9900X was $100 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 9 9900X delivers 109.3 pts/$ vs 94.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 9900X3D — making the Ryzen 9 9900X the 15% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 9900X | Ryzen 9 9900X3D |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $499-17% | $599 |
| Performance per Dollar | 109.3+16% | 94.0 |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2025 |
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