Ryzen 9 9900X vs Ryzen 9 9900X3D

AMD

Ryzen 9 9900X

12 Cores24 Thrd120 WWMax: 5.6 GHz2024
Ryzen family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 9 9900X3D

12 Cores24 Thrd120 WWMax: 5.5 GHz2025
Ryzen family
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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.

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

2024

Why 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

2025

Why 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?
Yes. Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 31.6% better Geekbench multi-core, 3.2% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 128 MB versus 64 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the stronger fit. You are getting 31.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 64 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 9 9900X3D is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 9 9900X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 9 9900X3D comes in 20.0% more expensive on MSRP at $599 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 9 9900X is also 16.3% better value on MSRP (109.3 vs 94.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 9 9900X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2024), 3D V-Cache and a much larger 128 MB L3 cache instead of 64 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 12/24. That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

Ryzen 9 9900X vs Ryzen 9 9900X3D Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

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.

AMD

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.

FeatureRyzen 9 9900XRyzen 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%
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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).

FeatureRyzen 9 9900XRyzen 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.

FeatureRyzen 9 9900XRyzen 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.

FeatureRyzen 9 9900XRyzen 9 9900X3D
MSRP
$499-17%
$599
Performance per Dollar
109.3+16%
94.0
Release Date
2024
2025

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