Hey folks! I'm planning to build a new gaming PC with a 5090 graphics card, but I'm not too familiar with all the other components. My last PC was from 2019 and had a 9700 and 2070. I'm mainly into gaming and price isn't a concern for me. Should I go for the 9950X3D or the 9800X3D? For memory, I want 96GB, but I'm confused about the differences between 30CL, 28CL, 6000MHz, and 8000MHz. If the performance boost is just 1-5%, I'm not interested. Also, what should I keep in mind when choosing a motherboard? Besides brand, what other factors should I consider?
5 Answers
I'd go with the 9800X3D for gaming alone. As for RAM, if you're going for 96GB, maybe consider if you'll really use it—most gaming setups can work well with 32GB. And about motherboards, there's not a huge difference; just avoid ASRock for now as they had some issues recently.
If it’s mainly gaming, the 9800X3D is solid and you can save some cash. No one really needs 96GB of RAM; stick with 32GB unless you really have a need for that much. And I’d suggest sticking with a reputable motherboard brand like MSI or ASUS—those have worked well for me in the past.
I'd definitely recommend going for lower latency with 6000MHz RAM instead of 8000MHz. The 9950X3D is a fantastic choice if budget isn't your concern because it's just as fast for gaming as the 9800X3D but shines with better multicore performance. As for the motherboard, look for one that has good reviews for reliability, and check the QVL to ensure your RAM is supported.
If you're mostly gaming but doing a bit of productivity work, I’d recommend the 9800X3D. It performs excellently for gaming while still being capable for light productivity. If you're leaning heavily toward productivity alongside gaming, then the 9950X3D is the way to go. Just remember, for AMD, the difference in speed between 6000MHz and 8000MHz memory isn't huge—I've seen little to no benefits from going all out on higher speeds.
Exactly! Plus, if you're using a lot of memory, a 6000MHz setup might offer you better compatibility and stability.
If you solely game, the 9800X3D is perfect. But if you might do any productivity tasks like rendering or editing, definitely consider the 9950X3D. For RAM, avoid anything over 6000MHz unless you really need that speed for specific tasks. A good 2x48GB kit of 6000MHz CL26 or CL28 memory would be ideal.
Right? And for motherboards, aside from the brand, check their specs for USB ports, future expandability options, and overall build quality—you want something that'll last.
Yeah, always check the QVL list! Also, make sure to choose your motherboard before buying RAM because you'll want to pair them correctly.