AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Build Guide
One of the greatest processors ever just launched. AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the most recent release in AMD’s much-beloved X3D series. That X3D series is already known for it’s incredible gaming performance, but the 9950X3D is angling to be the best of both gaming and productivity, doubling the number of cores to a massive 16 cores and 32 threads; a massive boon for productivity users.
Photo: Jacob Bobo To celebrate the launch of this new king of processors, we put together a killer all-AMD build designed to show off the raw power of AMD’s latest and greatest CPU and GPU, bundled together in a gorgeous white-and-silver theme with just a pop of black.
Let’s get into it.
The Build:
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Granite Ridge AM5 4.30GHz 16-Core Boxed Processor
The brand-new, 16 core, 32 thread, 144MB cache AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D promises to be the greatest CPU for both gaming and productivity.The X3D lineup have been gaming powerhouses since they first launched back in 2022. Thanks to some adjustments in how the CPU is laid out (the Zen 5 cores are “closer to the cooling solution”), AMD opened up the chip for higher clock speeds at better temps than last generation. The result is an utterly uncompromising chip that is a knock-out for whatever your needs may be.
CPU Cooler: HYTE THICC Q60 240mm All in One Liquid CPU Cooling Kit
Don’t let thermal throttling be the reason your new Ryzen 9 9950X3D underperforms. AIOs are a fantastic option to keep processors cool and the Hyte Thicc Q60 is a stellar option. With massive 32MM thick fans and a gorgeous ultraslim IPS display, the Q60 delivers plenty of cooling power and looks stunning doing it.
Motherboard: Gigabyte X870E AORUS Pro Ice AMD AM5 ATX Motherboard
Gigabyte’s X870E Pro Ice is a stunning, all-white motherboard with just a hint of RGB at the edges; just enough to add some rim lighting to your new build. But it doesn’t just look pretty -- it also supports PCIe 5.0, DDR5 RAM, and WiFi 7, all of which are the latest and best versions of their respective uses.
Video Card: Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT Aorus Overclocked Triple Fan
We put together a build with AMD’s latest flagship card just last week. The RX 9070 XT brings with it 16GB of DDR6 RAM, AV1 encoding, AI improvements, and, of course, a hearty boost to gaming performance. Gigabyte’s Aorus version of the card is a triple fan model with subtle RGB around the rings of the fans and will look absolutely stunning as the pop of black in our otherwise white build.
RAM: G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5-6400 PC5-51200 CL32 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit F5-6400J3239G32GX2-TZ5RW - White
Though 32GB may be the new recommended starting point for RAM, this isn’t just a gaming build. Productivity programs often benefit the most from increased RAM, helping to avoid slowdowns and keep work on track. Not only will we be opting for 64GB of RAM for this build, we’ll be using DDR5-6400 RAM for just a bit of extra memory speed to help keep things moving.
Storage: Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB Samsung V NAND TLC NAND PCIe Gen 4 x4 and PCIe Gen 5 x2 NVMe M.2 Internal SSD
A build this fast demands an SSD that can support PCIe Gen 5 and the Samsung 990 EVO Plus is that SSD. The 990 EVO Plus comes with 2TB of storage and a read/write speed of up to 7,250MBps/6,300MBps for a blazing fast storage solution whether you’re gaming or working. And if 2TB isn’t enough, you can easily double it to 4TB.
PSU: Seasonic USA FOCUS V4 GX-1000 1000 Watt Cybenetics Gold ATX Fully Modular Power Supply - ATX 3.1 Compatible
Don’t put together a top-of-the-line build and then skimp on the power supply. Not only is it the beating heart of any build, but a faulty or underpowered PSU can damage your nice, new components. Power supplies like the USA FOCUS V4 GX-1000 are designed with high-end systems in mind. Built with a gold efficiency rating and a fully-modular design, this PSU is a stellar option for any high-end PC.
A small note: if you’re upgrading your current PC, be sure to check your power supply before building.
Case: HYTE Y60 Modern Aesthetic Dual Chamber Panoramic Tempered Glass Mid-Tower ATX Computer Gaming Case - White - PCIe 4.0 Riser Cable Included
Hyte’s Y60 cases are beloved by the PC building community for their unique panoramic design, open build space, and tempered glass windows. They offer a full, clear view of any build and come in a variety of colors to help match whatever theme you can dream up.
Watch Us Build It:
The Full Build:
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Sean Mekinda is Micro Center's Community and Content Specialist, with three years of experience on The Micro Center Community and writing credits across the internet, including Polygon, 25YL, and 614 Magazine. He's been writing about and reviewing tech for over five years.
Sean has a specialty in gaming, peripherals, and creative projects designed to make your life easier, especially when it comes to tabletop gaming.
Contact Sean at SMekinda@microcenter.com
