AMD's 9800X3D and 9950X3D CPUs are contenders for the best gaming CPU in 2025, with the 9950X3D being the more premium option.
The 9950X3D provides double the cores, thread support, more cache, higher clock speed, and TDP compared to the 9800X3D.
Despite its specifications, the 9950X3D does not offer a significant advantage in gaming over the 9800X3D, with both CPUs performing similarly in gaming tests.
In productivity tasks like video encoding and rendering, the 9950X3D's additional cores outperform the 9800X3D and even compete with Intel's 285K CPU.
The 9800X3D is recommended for pure gaming due to its comparable performance to the 9950X3D at a lower price point and greater availability.
For content creation and productivity workloads, the 9950X3D excels, but the slight advantages may not justify the higher cost for most users.
If seeking a CPU for both gaming and productivity, the 9950X3D is an excellent all-purpose choice but comes at a premium price.
Overall, the decision between the 9800X3D and 9950X3D depends on specific workload requirements and budget considerations.