AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2: CPU breaks several benchmark world records
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 with dual 3D V-Cache fell short of expectations in initial tests. However, the processor shows its performance potential outside of everyday use. Overclockers have now set several benchmark world records with the CPU.
AMD CPU breaks world records
The recently released AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 initially caused disillusionment among customers. The first desktop processor with dual 3D V-cache was unable to build up a significant advantage over cheaper models in tests. However, apart from normal everyday operations, the architecture shows high performance potential. Two players in the overclocking scene managed to accelerate the chip to 6.7 gigahertz and set three new benchmark world records for processors with 16 cores.
With the 9950X3D2, AMD is stacking additional memory components on both CCDs for the first time, which significantly increases the overall capacity of the L3 cache. The production of such processors is technically demanding and makes it difficult to dissipate heat. In order to achieve clock speeds of well over six gigahertz, the experts used extreme cooling methods. Liquid nitrogen was used, which boils at minus 196 degrees Celsius. Conventional air or water cooling can no longer dissipate the enormous waste heat at such high core voltages.
ASRock motherboard as the basis for records
As ASRock reported on its website, the mainboard X870E Taichi OCF served as the basis for the record attempts by overclockers AKM and l0ud_sil3nc3. The board features a 22+2+1 phase design for stable power supply under extreme conditions. The motherboard is specifically designed for extreme scenarios and offers advanced customization options. The overclockers precisely tuned parameters such as voltage and multiplier to keep the system stable. According to the manufacturer, the following records were achieved this way:
- PCMark 10 Express: 14,475 points at 6.4 gigahertz
- GPUPI v3.3 for CPU 100M: 1.133 seconds at 6.7 gigahertz
- GPUPI v3.3 for CPU 1B: 18.251 seconds at 6.7 gigahertz
Benchmark vs. everyday life
In addition, the players achieved placements in the global top 10 in twelve other benchmarks, including Cinebench and 7-Zip. This shows the potential of the chip. Nevertheless, the results are practically irrelevant for consumers because, in addition to nitrogen cooling, the hardware used alongside it is rarely used in everyday life and is comparatively expensive.
The mainboard used costs around 450 euros. If you’re looking for a CPU for video games, cheaper alternatives like the Ryzen 7 9800X3D will do much better. The high surcharge for the 9950X3D2 is currently unfavorable in relation to the additional performance offered. Although the new records show what’s inside the chip, such overclocking attempts remain purely a feasibility study for hardware enthusiasts. Extreme overclocking is fascinating, even if the results are irrelevant to everyday life.
