AMD Ryzen 9 5950X review: This monstrous CPU is overkill for gamers and content creators

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

AMD'south Ryzen 5000 series of processors are based on the Zen 3 architecture, succeeding the popular Ryzen 3000 series of desktop processors rocking the Zen ii architecture. Topping off the consumer (as in, anything non a Threadripper) range is the Ryzen ix 5950X with an impressive core count of 16 with 32 threads in total. On paper, it'due south a monster.

Using a new 7nm manufacturing procedure and compages, AMD made numerous changes under the hood to squeeze all the same more than operation out of the CPU. We were lucky enough to get our easily on a Ryzen 5950X to encounter just how much of an comeback this processor is compared to the previous generation and other Ryzen 5000 processors.

If yous're wondering if this rather pricey CPU is suitable for your next PC build, read on to find out our thoughts.

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

AMD Ryzen ix 5950X

Lesser line: AMD'due south Ryzen 9 5950X is the new rex of consumer-grade processors for squad red. It'due south ridiculously fast with enough of headroom for gaming and enthusiast applications. If you need a powerful PC, wait no farther than this CPU.

Pros

16 cores / 32 threads
Amazing operation
Unlocked for overclocking
PCIe iv.0
Zen three architecture with 105W TDP

Cons

Pricey
No cooler included
Ryzen 9 5900X better value for virtually

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X at a glance

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

Ryzen 9 5950X takes advantage improvements introduced with AMD Zen 3.

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is the best non-Threadripper processor from the company. Pairing this processor upward with the best graphics menu would create quite a compelling gaming experience, thanks to the impressive 16 cores and 32 threads. That's right, AMD managed to cram a total 16 cores with multi-threading support on a packet that has a thermal blueprint power (TDP) rating of just 105W.

While gaming is ane job, the Ryzen ix 5950X is certainly more than than capable of handling. In fact, it's overkill for almost PC builds. The 5950X is actually better suited to creators and professionals who need to create a adept value workstation with enough of performance headroom. Here's how the Zen iii (Ryzen 5000) series of AMD processors compare.

Category	Ryzen 5 5600X	Ryzen 7 5800X	Ryzen ix 5900X	Ryzen 9 5950X
Compages	Zen 3	Zen three	Zen 3	Zen 3
Socket	AM4	AM4	AM4	AM4
Cores	6	8	12	16
Threads	12	16	24	32
TDP	65W	105W	105W	105W
Base Speed	iii.7GHz	iii.8GHz	iii.7GHz	3.4GHz
Boost Speed	4.6GHz	4.7GHz	four.8GHz	iv.9GHz
Enshroud	32MB	32MB	32MB	32MB
Cooler	Wraith Stealth	-	-	-
Cost	$299	$449	$549	$799

We've got the Ryzne 9 5950X in for review, and so it's the processor nosotros'll be focusing on here. The closest we tin can compare it to right now is the Ryzen seven 5800X and older Ryzen 9 3900X to run into how this CPU fares confronting the previous generation, besides as a more than affordable Zen three Ryzen.

The best part nigh whatsoever Zen 3 processor is the ability to utilize them with existing B550 and X570 motherboards. Considering the best motherboards for AMD Ryzen nine 5950X don't have to exist brand new models make AMD's AM4 platform more highly-seasoned to those who don't bask replacing the motherboard every time they upgrade an Intel processor.

In fact, yous could fifty-fifty use a 400-series AMD motherboard, so long as the vendor supports the board with a new BIOS update to unlock Ryzen 5000 back up. That's skilful support for newer production cycles and something I beloved to encounter.

Category	Spec
Cores/Threads	16/32
Base clock	iii.4GHz
Boost clock	4.9GHz
Integrated GPU	No
Unlocked	Yep
CMOS	TSMC 7nm FinFET
TDP	105W
L2 Cache	8MB
L3 Cache	64MB
Socket	AM4

The 16 cores and 32 threads are, as you'd expect, incredible. Having so many cores and threads bachelor for various processes within Windows or Linux makes the 5950X perfect for multi-taskers and those who frequently utilize software to take advantage of such numbers. PCIe iv.0 support is present, requiring a B550 or X570 motherboard.

Like other Ryzen 5000 series processors, the 5950X also comes fix for Precision Boost 2 and Precision Boost Overdrive, two technologies that make overclocking easier and more stable. Yous tin can easily use DDR4 RAM at 3200MHz and above with some overclocking and tinkering for a stable experience.

AMD touted Zen 3 processors as having an increase of 19% for instructions per clock (IPC) compared to previous-gen processors, making unmarried-core performance far more than promising in charts also containing Intel counterparts. Other improvements included lower latency with a unified circuitous design, assuasive cores and cache to communicate more efficiently.

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X performance

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

We can talk about how good the new platform from AMD is on paper, but how does the Ryzen 9 5950X fare in the real world? Nosotros used both a B550 and X570 motherboard, though the two chipsets' actual performance difference isn't major. X570 motherboards will probable come up with a far better ability phase blueprint and thermal operation.

If you lot want lower temperatures and all the features the Ryzen ix 5950X can make use of, the X570 platform is the way to become. A B550 will perhaps let you to overclock this CPU a piddling, merely don't expect anything special. As well as the motherboard, 16GB of DDR4-3600MHz RAM was used, alongside the NZXT Kraken Z73 AIO CPU cooler, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER GPU.

Firing up games like Stellaris, Mount & Bract II: Bannerlord, Grand Theft Car V, and Ashes of a Singularity revealed some impressive numbers. Y'all could easily run a high-end GPU like the GeForce RTX 3090 without issue. In fact, this CPU will exist viable in many years to come, especially equally games continue taking advantage of boosted CPU threads equally they abound in complexity.

AMD's Ryzen 9 5950X is overkill for nigh gaming and enthusiast PC builds.

Actually, for PC gaming, it'south largely going to come down to the GPU you have installed. Nosotros recommend various options depending on your screen resolution. An NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT would exist perfect for 1080p and some 1440p gaming. Stepping up to ultra 1440p and some 4K, you'll need an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT.

Temperatures were very adept for such a CPU. Even though nosotros're talking 16 cores and 32 threads with plenty of enshroud and loftier clock speeds, AMD uses a 7nm manufacturing process and has made necessary improvements to latency and other factors to squeeze as much performance out of the CPU as possible.

Keeping the TDP rating at only 105W, y'all tin easily run this processor with fifty-fifty more affordable coolers like a Cooler Primary Hyper 212. Using the Kraken Z73 from NZXT, temperatures were at 29C (84F) in a room with an ambient temperature reading of 20C (68F). At full load and max boost (without overclocking), temperatures shot up to around 66C (151F), near the aforementioned as a Ryzen 9 3900X.

Should you buy the AMD Ryzen nine 5950X?

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

Who information technology's for

Those who want exceptional gaming performance
Those who crave 32 threads worth of bachelor computing power
Those who desire killer unmarried- and multi-core performance
Those who want an unlocked CPU

Who information technology isn't for

Those who don't desire to spend $800 on a CPU
Those who don't demand then many cores
Those who are happy with six-core gaming performance

AMD's Ryzen ix 5950X is a powerful however efficient CPU and is an irremovable thorn in Intel'south side. Whether yous need to build an enthusiast rig that doesn't require a specialist Threadripper motherboard or a gaming PC with more CPU power than you'll know what to do with, the Ryzne 9 5950X is about every bit good as yous can go.

The toll can be a little offputting, as is the cost at a staggering $800. This is well worth the functioning on offer, just tin you justify paying the price of an entire PC build for the CPU alone? If the respond to that is "no," then the Ryzen nine 5950X just isn't for you. Merely considering this is 2022, you lot tin can easily get abroad with saving more $400 and still get a CPU with viii cores and 16 threads in the Ryzen 7 5800X.

Should you lot require an unlocked processor, one that has a total of 32 threads worth of calculating channels, and a CPU that offers not only solid multi-core performance just also excellent single-cadre results, the Ryzen 9 5950X should be on your shortlist. This is easily one of (if not) the best CPU for your custom PC you tin can buy correct now.

Impressice AMD Performance

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is mightily impressive, but it comes at a cost. $800 for the processor tin exist considered steep for most PC builds, merely it's totally worth it if you plan on taking full advantage of the available computing functioning.

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