Introduction

We review the  Ryzen 9 9900X. This analysis is all about the 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X. We leave high-end behind us, and enter the enthusiast range of processors. The new processors are based on ZEN 5 architecture, yet can be seated on the existing compatible motherboards like X670 and B650 with merely a System BIOS upgrade. Given its excellent performance combined with an architecture that supports PCIe Gen 5, DDR5, and a CPU that exceeds 5.9 GHz, this product might become a sweet spot processor for many enthusiast and creators. AMD recently announced its first ZEN5-based Ryzen 9000 processors. While some updated graphics cards have been released this year, not much else has been released in the component hardware arena. Yes, AMD has officially announced the launch date for its new Ryzen 9000 series desktop CPUs which include four SKUs: the 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X, 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X, 8-core Ryzen 7 9700X, and 6-core Ryzen 5 9600X. The Ryzen 7 9700X will be a key model in the lineup and has been a topic of extensive discussion, particularly concerning its performance relative to previous models. AMD has addressed rumours regarding potential changes to its Thermal Design Power (TDP), confirming that it will launch with an incredibly low 65W TDP. The higher-end Ryzen 9 9950X will feature a 170W TDP, while the Ryzen 9 9900X will maintain a 120W TDP. Both the Ryzen 7 9700X and Ryzen 5 9600X are set at 65W, highlighting AMD's effort to balance performance and power efficiency.

However, it is also acknowledged that the Ryzen 7 9000 will not match the gaming performance of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, based on statements from AMD’s Don Waligroski. For that, you'll have to wait for X3D processors. AMD's launch presentation included a series-to-series comparison, demonstrating an 11% to 22% performance improvement from the previous generation while simultaneously lowering the TDP for three of the four new SKUs. That is something we're going to validate in our reviews. The Zen 5 architecture marks a meaningful advancement in AMD's Ryzen 9000 series processors for desktops. The structural aspects such as the socket and the internal layout remain consistent, featuring an unchanged I/O die and one or two new Zen 5-based CPU core dies, compatible with the current series 500/600motherboards.  

AMD Ryzen 9000 Series Overview

The Ryzen 9 9900X is a high-performance desktop processor from the Granite Ridge series, which is a part of AMD's CPU lineup. This processor boasts 12 cores based on AMD's Zen 5 architecture, with a total of 24 threads, and operates at speeds ranging from 4.4 GHz to 5.6 GHz. The Zen 5 architecture in the 9900X represents a significant advancement, as it exclusively uses full-performance cores without integrating any efficiency-oriented cores, unlike some other designs. This CPU supports the latest PCIe 5.0 interface, providing faster data transfer speeds compared to older versions. It comes with a simple integrated graphics unit (iGPU), which although basic, can handle simple graphics tasks and support multiple high-resolution displays. The processor's design features multiple chips or "dies," with the main CPU cores manufactured using a 4 nanometer (nm) process from TSMC, emphasizing efficiency and performance. Ryzen 9 9900X supports the latest DDR5 RAM, capable of reaching speeds up to 5600 megatransfers per second (MT/s), and this can include error-correcting code (ECC) memory depending on the motherboard used. For expansion, the CPU offers 24 lanes of PCIe 5.0 directly, with additional lanes available for PCIe 4.0 depending on the system's configuration.

The integrated graphics, while not intended for heavy gaming, are built on AMD's RDNA 3+ architecture. It includes 2 Compute Units (CUs) and 128 shaders, capable of reaching up to 2200 MHz. This GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and ray tracing, technologies that enhance visual detail and realism in supported content. However, the graphics unit is primarily suitable for basic tasks and supporting high-resolution displays rather than intensive gaming. This processor can handle up to four super ultra-high-definition (SUHD) monitors at 4320p resolution simultaneously, which is ideal for productivity setups requiring multiple displays. The iGPU also supports hardware encoding and decoding for popular video codecs like AVC, HEVC, VP9, and AV1, which is useful for video playback and content creation.  The Thermal Design Power (TDP) for this CPU is set at 120 watts, indicative of its typical power consumption under normal loads. However, power use can rise to at least 170 watts when handling more demanding tasks or during overclocked operation, which is important to consider for system builders in terms of heat output and power supply requirements.