Pros
- Stunning all round performance
- Power efficiency
- Feature rich AM4 platform
Cons
- Cheaper models are better for gaming PCs
- Price creep
The red team claims that the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is the top-tier gaming CPU, the best among all its Zen 3 processors, and also the fastest. However, can it truly prove its worth with gaming performance that surpasses all others?
We have praised AMD’s new Ryzen 5000 series processors extensively. The impressive multi-threaded and content creation capabilities of the Ryzen 3000 processors have been improved even further, solidifying AMD’s lead over Intel in these specific workloads. Our main focus was on determining if the gaming performance of the Zen 3 chips had significantly improved to allow AMD to claim the top spot in gaming performance.
Based on our reviews of the Ryzen 7 5800X and 5900X, it is evident that Zen 3 processors have indeed surpassed the Intel competition in gaming performance. Additionally, with lower cooling requirements, power consumption, platform superiority, and impressive multi-threading capabilities, it is apparent that AMD has a strong contender in their hands. The question that lingers is whether the flagship 16-core Ryzen 9 5950X, boasting a 4.9GHz rated boost clock, truly lives up to AMD’s claim of being the ultimate gaming CPU.
You may find detailed information on the architectural features in our review of the Ryzen 9 5900X. AMD’s primary objective was to minimize core-to-core latency, a factor that significantly impacts gaming performance. The substantial L3 cache plays a crucial role in diminishing the necessity for frequent memory accesses and data transfers through the Infinity Fabric and I/O die.
In our evaluation of the Ryzen 9 5900X, you will discover comprehensive insights into its architectural highlights. AMD’s key focus was on reducing core-to-core latency, a critical factor influencing gaming performance. The extensive L3 cache greatly contributes to minimizing the reliance on frequent memory accesses and data transfers through the Infinity Fabric and I/O die.
The quantity of L3 cache in Ryzen 5000 has not changed, but the organization of the cache sets it apart from previous models. Unlike Ryzen 3000, where the cache was effectively split into 2x 16MB, all cores on a die in Ryzen 5000 can now access the full 32MB cache without any latency penalty. This improvement alone has greatly contributed to AMD’s enhanced gaming performance.
The amount of L3 cache in Ryzen 5000 has remained constant, but the way it is structured distinguishes it from its predecessors. Unlike Ryzen 3000, where the cache was effectively divided into 2x 16MB, all cores on a die in Ryzen 5000 can now access the entire 32MB cache without experiencing any latency issues. This single change has significantly boosted AMD’s gaming capabilities.
The Ryzen 9 5950X, which features 16 cores and 32 threads, stands as the flagship model within the Ryzen 5000 series lineup. Operating at a base clock speed of 3.4GHz and a boost clock speed of 4.9GHz, this processor boasts 8 cores per die and 32MB of L3 cache, resulting in a combined cache size of 64MB. It offers compatibility with X570, B550, and A520 motherboards, with support for X470 and B450 motherboards expected in the future.
It is important to carefully consider which BIOS you have, as many users may find themselves without BIOS support. Except for the 5600X, all models do not come with a bundled cooler, and with the increasing prices across the range, the exceptional value that we have seen in previous Ryzen generations is diminished.
However, having 16 cores on a mainstream socket is quite impressive, especially considering that Intel’s maximum is 10 cores, and is expected to decrease to eight with Rocket Lake next year.
The TDP for the Ryzen 9 5950X is still an impressive 105W. It is possible that AMD may want to raise this officially, but it is important to note that the 5950X is intended to remain compatible with affordable B450 and A520 boards. The Threadripper Zen 3 processors, with fewer power constraints, are expected to be truly remarkable.
The 5950X boasts impressive power efficiency, consuming less power than an Intel Core i9 9900K while offering twice the number of cores. Although it tends to heat up under heavy usage, a reliable 240mm AIO cooler should effectively maintain its temperature. However, for overclocking purposes, a 360mm radiator is recommended to avoid dealing with excessive fan noise.
Overclocking the high core count Zen 3 processors can result in a significant increase in multi-threading performance. However, it is recommended to leave the 5950X at auto or let the PBO handle it, especially since it can already boost to 4.9GHz (and even above 5GHz) under lighter loads such as gaming. Achieving 4.5GHz on all cores at 1.25v was relatively simple, but it led to temperatures spiking into the 80s under sustained load. Therefore, effective cooling is essential to fully maximize the potential of a 5950X.\
Small form factor PC enthusiasts should also take into consideration the often underestimated ECO mode. The combination of a 65W 5950X processor in a compact system will undoubtedly attract a wide range of users, particularly those with a penchant for creativity.
Small form factor PC aficionados should not underestimate the importance of the often overlooked ECO mode. A 65W 5950X in a compact system will surely catch the attention of many users, especially those with a creative inclination.
We seized the opportunity to conduct a test on the Ryzen 9 5950X using a new Asus Crosshair VIII Dark Hero motherboard equipped with the latest AGESA 1.1.0.0 Patch C BIOS. As a result, we successfully booted and benchmarked at an Infinity Fabric clock of 2033MHz, leading to a memory clock of DDR4-4066 in a 1:1 ratio with the memory. This achievement is truly remarkable! Could this potentially signal a shift for AMD, with DDR4-4000 becoming the new performance standard? This was certainly the buzz AMD created prior to the launch, but inconsistent support has limited it to only a few specific boards and chips in the new silicon lottery.
The performance of the Ryzen 9 5950X is truly remarkable. It dominates in multi-threaded tasks, leaving any competition that can scale up to 32 threads far behind. Intel simply does not have a comparable product to rival the 5950X, unless you consider significantly more costly enterprise options.
The Ryzen 9 5950X excels in performance, especially in multi-threaded tasks where it outperforms any competition that can scale up to 32 threads. Intel lacks a comparable alternative to the 5950X, unless you opt for much pricier enterprise solutions.
The Zen 3 architecture represents a significant advancement over Zen 2 and the Ryzen 3000-series chips in the realm of gaming. While it may not completely outperform Intel, it does challenge the notion of Intel’s gaming superiority that has long been held by many users. Interestingly, there are instances where the 5950X falls slightly behind the 5800X, making it somewhat challenging to endorse as the top gaming CPU, despite AMD’s assertions.
This returns us to the question raised in the opening. Even with its impressive 4.9GHz boost clock, it occasionally falls slightly behind its 8-core counterpart, the 5800X. This is probably due to a lack of topology optimization in certain game engines, underutilization of cores, and power limitations within the socket.
It is not lacking in performance, however, opting for a 5800X would be more beneficial as it allows you to allocate the saved funds towards a faster GPU, resulting in a more noticeable improvement in gaming performance.
The 5950X reigns supreme not just for gaming, but also due to its lower cooling requirements, impressive power efficiency, platform superiority, unmatched multi-threading capabilities, and highly competitive gaming performance.
Intel did not suddenly become slower overnight, and a dedicated gamer should not feel pressured to upgrade. However, it has reached a critical juncture where Intel urgently requires Rocket Lake and a successful 10nm desktop component. Until these advancements materialize, AMD remains the dominant player in the market.