Best value
AMD
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
AM5 · 8 · 16
8.6
$360Nov 93 videos
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
A 12-core Zen 5 chip that has fallen to a much friendlier street price than its launch list.
- AM5
- 12
- 24
- 5.6 GHz
- 120 W
PCPR score
8.2
Great
R1
The short version
The Ryzen 9 9900X is a 12-core, 24-thread AM5 processor with a 5.6 GHz boost, 64 MB of L3 cache and a 120 W TDP. Tom's Hardware's hierarchy shows its street price far below the original list price, which makes the threaded performance much easier to justify. Gaming trails X3D chips, and there is no cooler in the box.
Pros
- 12 cores and 24 threads at up to 5.6 GHz
- 120 W TDP is easy to cool relative to the 16-core parts
- Street price far below list in Tom's Hardware's hierarchy
- Unlocked for overclocking
Cons
- Gaming lags X3D chips in Tom's Hardware's hierarchy
- Launch reviewers saw modest gains over the Ryzen 9 7900X
- No cooler included
Best for
- Mixed productivity and gaming on a mid-range budget
- Creators who do not need 16 cores
J3
Full specifications
Core
- Socket
- AM5
- Series
- Ryzen 9000
- Architecture
- Zen 5
- Cores
- 12
- Threads
- 24
Performance
- Base clock
- 4.4 GHz
- Max boost
- 5.6 GHz
- L3 cache
- 64 MB
- 3D V-Cache
- No
- Gaming index
- 74
- Single-thread index
- 92
- Multi-thread index
- 74
Power
- TDP
- 120 W
- Max power (PPT / PL2)
- 162 W
Features
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
- Integrated GPU
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Unlocked multiplier
- Yes
- Cooler in box
- No
- Process
- TSMC 4nm FinFET (CPU cores), TSMC 6nm FinFET (I/O die)
Memory
- Memory support
- DDR5
- Rated memory speed
- 5,600 MT/s
- Max memory
- 256 GB
Expansion
- PCIe version
- 5.0
- PCIe lanes
- 28
Compatibility notes
- Socket AM5 with DDR5 only; AMD lists A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E, B840, B850, X870 and X870E chipsets as supported, and older boards may need a BIOS update.
- AMD's official maximum memory speed is DDR5-5600 for two modules and DDR5-3600 for four, though AMD EXPO kits can run faster.
- No cooler is included in the box, so budget for a separate tower air cooler or liquid cooler.
P1
Where to buy
- Buy from the maker
AMD official page
Direct link
- Check price on Amazon
Amazon
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- See it at Newegg
Newegg
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- See it at Best Buy
Best Buy
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- See it at B&H
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- See it at Micro Center
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We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects our scores or what we recommend. Prices move quickly, so confirm the final price at the retailer.
AV1
Video reviews
Mixed · Review
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X CPU Review & Benchmarks vs. 14700K, 7900X, 9950X, & More
Gamers Nexus
Gamers Nexus benchmarks the 9900X focusing on workstation and production tasks, with gaming comparisons against the 14700K, 7900X and 9950X.
Overview · Review
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X - 12 Core Zen 5 Review
KitGuruTech
KitGuru reviews the 12-core 9900X after covering the 9600X and 9700X.
Negative · Review
9950X / 9900X CPU Review (21 CPUs Tested)
JayzTwoCents
Covers the 9950X and 9900X across 21 tested CPUs and is skeptical that the Ryzen 9000 launch parts are worth it.
AV2
What reviewers and owners say
Windows Central
PositiveWindows Central found the 9900X competes well against Intel's i9-14900K at lower cost and power, though it occasionally trails and isn't worth upgrading from recent Ryzen or Intel chips.
Review
Read the sourcePC Gamer
MixedStrong multithreaded performance and low power draw, but gaming gains over the cheaper 7900X are minimal and eco mode disappoints, making it poor value.
Review
Read the sourcer/watercooling · u/Shadowman786
CriticalAn owner who delidded their 9900X and polished the dies with Flitz multiple times fears they stripped the die coating, leaving discolored patches and worrying the chip is damaged.
2026-06-14
Read the sourcer/watercooling · u/Shadowman786
PositiveA user running a delidded 9900X with a direct-die water block and PBO undervolts reports Cinebench R23 peaks around 66C and Aida64 stress tests maxing at 78C in a 30C room.
2026-08-04
Read the source
Summaries are written in our words. Follow the links for each source’s own review.
R9
Common questions
Should I buy the Ryzen 9 9900X or the Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
The 9900X3D adds 3D V-Cache for gaming but costs more. At the street prices in Tom's Hardware's hierarchy, the 9900X is the cheaper way to get 12 cores.
Does it include a cooler?
No. AMD lists the thermal solution as not included, so plan on buying a separate CPU cooler.
J9Alternatives
