AMD launches the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, the first mainstream CPU with 3D V-Cache on both chiplets. However, an issue arose as the brand failed to send samples to the most rigorous testers. Gamers Nexus has spoken out about this issue.
We have all been removed from a WhatsApp group without explanation. But when it’s AMD removing you, it means you asked the wrong questions in a group called “9950X3D2 Launch.”
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition was released on April 22 with limited independent testing. Instead, Gamers Nexus founder Steve Burke criticized the launch in a video titled “Blacklisted by AMD.” This launch has been called the worst of the year in the CPU category.
The 9950X3D2 is the first desktop processor from AMD to feature 3D V-Cache on both CCDs. It offers 16 Zen 5 cores, 192 MB of L3 cache (208 MB total), boost up to 5.6 GHz, and has a TDP of 200W on socket AM5. It doubles the cache compared to its predecessor, the 9950X3D.
The price is $899 in the US and around $959 in Europe, but prices in France exceed €1,100. The 9950X3D is currently priced around €690. This substantial increase in price signals that AMD is targeting creators and developers rather than gamers.
On the day of the launch, many prominent hardware sites were absent due to not receiving samples from AMD. Steve Burke revealed that AMD cut off direct communication with Gamers Nexus months ago, redirecting them to an external PR agency.
It is speculated that AMD’s decision was influenced by a previous video from Gamers Nexus questioning the brand’s political and business ties. Despite this, GN persisted with questions to AMD, but received no response.
Independent benchmarks show a modest performance increase of around 7% in multithreaded tasks with the 9950X3D2 compared to the 9950X3D. However, the new chip consumes 30W more power.
The 9950X3D2 may appeal to a niche market of professional creators who require high processing power. For gamers, the 9850X3D remains a better choice. Threadripper CPUs offer more PCIe lanes and memory bandwidth for heavy productivity tasks.
AMD’s decision to charge a higher price for marginal performance gains has raised concerns of arrogance, especially when combined with their lack of transparency with the media.
In conclusion, AMD’s technical achievement with the 9950X3D2 is commendable, but the pricing strategy and relationship with the press have overshadowed the product’s potential success in the market.
