AMD · Ryzen

Ryzen 9 5950X

Released November 2020

A sixteen-core Zen 3 AM4 desktop processor for rendering, encoding and other heavily threaded work.

Model history · 2 models, 2019–2020

2019Ryzen 9 3950X Compare
2020Ryzen 9 5950X

Cores: 16/32
Boost: 4.9 GHz
L3: 64 MB
Power: 105 W
Socket: AM4

Unlocked

What reviewers say

Reviews praise its heavily threaded performance and efficiency, with a substantial gaming improvement over the 3950X. Sixteen cores offer little advantage for gaming alone, where cheaper Ryzen models give similar results. TechSpot finds the productivity gains too small to justify replacing a 3950X.

From pcgamer.com and techspot.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Cores and clocks

Cores: 16
Threads: 32
Base clock: 3.4 GHz
Boost clock: 4.9 GHz
L3 cache: 64 MB
Cores: Zen 3; Vermeer.
Clocks: Unlocked for overclocking; Precision Boost 2 and Precision Boost Overdrive described in AMD's launch notice.
Cache: 8 MB L2; Zen 3's unified eight-core complex provides 32 MB of L3 cache per complex, as described in AMD's launch notice.

Graphics and AI

Built-in graphics: No
Graphics: A separate graphics card is required.

Platform

Socket: AM4
Base power: 105 W
Unlocked: Yes
Cooler in the box: No
Memory support: DDR4; up to 3200 MT/s.
PCIe: PCIe 4.0.
Chipsets: AMD's launch notice specifies 500-series motherboards with a BIOS update; check the motherboard CPU support list.
Process: TSMC 7nm FinFET CPU cores.
Cooler: No thermal solution included; AMD recommends liquid cooling for optimal performance. Maximum operating temperature 90°C.

Pros and cons

Pros

Sixteen cores with simultaneous multithreading
64 MB of L3 cache
PCIe 4.0 support

Cons

Requires a separate graphics card
No cooler included
DDR4 rather than DDR5

Closest rivals

Model	Cores	Boost	L3	Power	Socket	Released
IntelCore i9-12900K	16/24	5.2 GHz	30 MB	125 W	LGA1700	Nov 2021
AMDRyzen 9 3950X	16/32	4.7 GHz	64 MB	105 W	AM4	Nov 2019
IntelCore i7-13700K	16/24	5.4 GHz	30 MB	125 W	LGA1700	Oct 2022

Previous model: Ryzen 9 3950X. Newer model: Ryzen 9 7950X.

Sources

Photo: AMD official Ryzen 9 5000-series retail package render published on the exact Ryzen 9 5950X product page. Shared family packaging, not an individually SKU-marked box. Reviewed exterior-alpha mask preserves original printed faces and processor window.

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