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AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

AMD · Ryzen

Ryzen 9 3950X

Released November 2019

A sixteen-core Zen 2 AM4 desktop processor with PCIe 4.0 support and 64 MB of L3 cache.

Cores
16/32
Boost
4.7 GHz
L3
64 MB
Power
105 W
Socket
AM4

What reviewers say

Reviews praise its heavily threaded performance and workstation value compared with more expensive high-end desktop processors. Gaming gains over cheaper Ryzen models are small, and Intel leads some gaming tests. Strong cooling is needed; PC Perspective also finds better efficiency than its 3900X sample.

From techradar.com and pcper.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Cores and clocks

Cores
16
Threads
32
Base clock
3.5 GHz
Boost clock
4.7 GHz
L3 cache
64 MB
Cores
Zen 2; Matisse; sixteen cores with simultaneous multithreading. Two fully enabled eight-core CPU chiplets (PC Perspective).
Clocks
Unlocked for overclocking; Precision Boost 2.
Cache
1024 KB L1; 8 MB L2; 64 MB L3.

Graphics and AI

Built-in graphics
No
Graphics
No integrated graphics; a separate graphics card is required.

Platform

Socket
AM4
Base power
105 W
Unlocked
Yes
Cooler in the box
No
Memory support
DDR4 UDIMM; two channels; up to 128 GB. Two single-rank or dual-rank modules support 3200 MT/s; four single-rank modules 2933 MT/s and four dual-rank modules 2667 MT/s. ECC requires motherboard support.
PCIe
PCIe 4.0; 24 native lanes in total, 20 usable. X570 adds 16 usable PCIe 4.0 lanes.
Chipsets
AMD lists X570, X470, X370 and B450; check the motherboard's CPU support list and BIOS.
Process
TSMC 7nm FinFET CPU cores.
Cooler
No cooler included; liquid cooling recommended. AMD's November launch notice recommends an AIO with at least a 280 mm radiator. Maximum operating temperature 95°C.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Sixteen cores with simultaneous multithreading
  • PCIe 4.0 support
  • Uses the AM4 desktop socket

Cons

  • Requires a separate graphics card
  • Cooler not included
  • DDR4 rather than DDR5

Closest rivals

Model
CoresBoostL3PowerSocketReleased
IntelCore i9-10980XE
18/364.8 GHz24.75 MB165 WLGA2066Nov 2019
AMDRyzen 9 5950X
16/324.9 GHz64 MB105 WAM4Nov 2020
IntelCore i9-10940X
14/284.8 GHz19.25 MB165 WLGA20662019

Newer model: Ryzen 9 5950X.

Sources

  1. amd.com/en/support/downloads/drivers.html/processors/ryzen/ryzen-3000-series/am…
  2. ir.amd.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/914/amd-introduces-worlds-most-pow…
  3. techradar.com/reviews/amd-ryzen-9-3950x
  4. pcper.com/2020/01/amd-ryzen-9-3950x-processor-review

Photo: AMD official isolated Ryzen 9 retail package published and captioned Ryzen 3950X on the exact 3950X archived maker page. Archived official 992px original (1260px publisher original unavailable); printed package is Ryzen 9 family-labelled, not individually SKU-marked. Native alpha and all physical packaging artwork retained.

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