Written By: David Matthews
When building a powerful PC, the most important choice is the processor. If you are working on a project that demands a lot of computing power, such as rendering a complex 3D scene, running intensive software, or playing the latest AAA games, you’ll need a processor that can keep up. This is where the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X comes in.
Launched on August 15, 2024, this new processor is designed to handle it all. Packed with 12 cores and high clock speeds, it breaks all barriers.
But what makes this new chip stand out? How does it stack up against the competition? And is it worth your money? In this article, we’ll get into the specs, performance, and a few real-world benchmarks of the 9900X, giving you all the information you need to decide if this new CPU deserves a spot in your next build.
Affiliate Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that, at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Thanks for your support!
In various benchmark tests, the Ryzen 9 9900X has shown strong performance:
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core Score: Approximately 34,500 points
This score shows a decent improvement over previous generations. For example, the Ryzen 9 7900X, with 12 cores and 24 threads, typically achieves a score of around 29,000 to 30,000 points, reflecting an 18-20% increase in multi-core performance for the 9900X.
The Ryzen 9 9900X has improved processing power compared to the Ryzen 9 5950X, which usually scores around 28,000 to 29,000 points. These improvements are noticeable in challenging applications like Blender, where the processor handles complex rendering tasks.
Compared to Intel’s lineup, the Ryzen 9 9900X competes well against the Intel Core i9-14900K, which normally scores between 35,000 and 37,000 points in Cinebench R23 Multi-Core. While Intel may have a slight edge in single-core tasks, the Ryzen 9 9900X excels in multi-core workloads. This makes it a better choice for those needing high multi-threaded performance.
The processor’s efficiency gains highlight the advancements made by the Zen 5 architecture. This should convince previous AM5 socket Ryzen users to upgrade from Zen 4 chips.
As a gamer, I hoped the new chips would outperform the previous X3D chips, especially the Ryzen 7800X3D now in my gaming PC. There’s been speculation about a firmware update to improve the gaming performance, and some people think that the issue might be with Windows scheduling, but there are mixed results for now.
Despite these concerns, the Ryzen 9 9900X was launched with a clear understanding of where it stands, as AMD is knowledgeable in this area. Hopefully, these issues can be resolved in the next few weeks, and we can see the impact of the Ryzen 9 9900X on gaming.
Information from sources like Phoronix shows that the Ryzen 9 9900X and the higher-end Ryzen 9 9950X perform very well on Linux-based systems. This makes the 9900X a possible option for developers and professionals who use Linux for their workflows.
The Ryzen 9 9900X is competitively priced at $499, directly competing with Intel’s Core i9 series.
The 9900X works with current AM5 X670 and X670E motherboards, so it’s an easy upgrade for those who want to increase their system’s performance without rebuilding everything.
Keep in mind that this processor’s TDP is 120W. To make sure it stays cool when it’s pushing through tasks, AMD suggests using a 240mm or 280mm all-in-one liquid cooler to keep the 9900X performing at its best.
For those planning to build a high-performance PC or upgrade an existing system, the 9900X is a strong nominee. It supports current AM5 motherboards and does not require new hardware for existing owners.
This processor is great for multitasking. It performs excellent in content creation and software development, and hopefully, once the gaming issues are sorted out, gaming, too. Consider getting one now if you want to upgrade or build a new system and value productivity and multi-threaded performance.
Linux users will notice improved performance with this CPU, making it a nice upgrade for those working in open-source environments.
With the 9900X, AMD continues to push the limits of desktop processing power. Intel cannot afford to be idle; they are constantly being forced to compete with AMD.
The choice of processor ultimately comes down to your specific needs. The 9900X offers great multitasking performance, making it a tempting upgrade and a must-have for those building a new PC.
If you’re looking for a custom-built PC and came across this article, our current line of Nova and Onyx custom gaming PCs are powered by the new Ryzen 9000 series CPU.
If you prefer to choose your own parts, we offer a PC assembly service where we will expertly assemble all your components for you.
A: The Ryzen 9 9900X is great for gaming, but it truly shines in tasks that use multiple threads, such as video editing and 3D rendering. While it does demonstrate better gaming performance compared to older models, the improvement is more significant in multi-threaded applications.
A: The Ryzen 9 9900X outperforms the Ryzen 9 7900X by 18% in multi-core performance and consumes less power, striking a good balance between performance and efficiency.
A: AMD recommends using a 240mm or 280mm all-in-one liquid cooler (AIO) for optimal performance, especially when the CPU is under full load for extended periods, such as during rendering or other resource-intensive tasks.
A: If you work on tasks that utilize multiple threads, such as video editing, 3D rendering, or software development, the Ryzen 9 9900X represents a significant upgrade. However, if your main focus is on gaming, the noticeable improvement may only be justifiable if you require additional cores for activities like streaming or other background tasks.
A: The Ryzen 9 9900X performs well on Linux, particularly in scenarios requiring extensive multitasking, such as software development and server tasks. The enhancements in performance compared to the previous model are clearly visible when conducting tests on Linux-based systems.
A: The Ryzen 9000 series can use DDR5 memory, which has a recommended speed of DDR5-5600 for the best price/performance balance. These CPUs can potentially increase memory speeds to DDR5-8000 on compatible motherboards, which allows for more flexibility in high-performance builds.
A: The Ryzen 9 9900X closely competes with Intel’s Core i9-9900K, mainly in multi-threaded applications. While Intel has a slight advantage in single-threaded tasks, the Ryzen 9 9900X is preferred for its efficiency and multi-core capabilities.
David is the owner of OTSCR and has been building and fixing computers for over 20 years. Starting as a hobby, his expertise has evolved into a successful small business. He now shares his knowledge through blogging and continues to provide top-notch computer services.
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D: The Unbeatable Gaming CPU of 2024 (Outperforms 9000 Se...
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!