AMD Ryzen 9 9950X CPU 320W Power, Over 5.5 GHz All-Core Clocks, 40% Faster Than i9-14900K
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X Overclocked to 5.5 GHz Across All Cores, Tested at 253W and Unlimited PPT Settings
Anandtech forum member Igor_kavinski has conducted comprehensive tests on the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X CPU, showcasing its performance under various power profiles using the Blender benchmark. The tests include settings at 60W, 90W, 120W, 160W, 230W PPT, and now, highlights an overclocked scenario at 253W and another under unlimited PPT.
The engineering sample used by Igor_kavinski demonstrates impressive performance, with notable achievements such as approaching Intel’s Core i9-12900K at lower power levels and outperforming Ryzen 9 5950X at higher frequencies. Notably, the Ryzen 9 9950X reaches speeds exceeding 5.5 GHz across all cores under both the 253W static overclock and the unrestricted 320W PPT mode.
These tests underscore the CPU’s capability to compete effectively against current-gen processors from Intel and AMD, highlighting its overclocking potential and robust performance under varying power configurations.
Certainly! Here’s the information presented in markdown table format:
| CPU Model | Power Profile | Peak Clock Speed | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 9950X | Unlimited PPT | 5621 MHz | 80°C |
| Ryzen 9 9950X | 253W PPT / 5.5 GHz OC | 5500 MHz | 61°C |
| Ryzen 9 9950X | 230W PPT | 5620 MHz | 62°C |
| Ryzen 9 9900X | 160W PPT | 5555 MHz | 58°C |
| Ryzen 9 9950X | 120W PPT | 5220 MHz | 55°C |
| Ryzen 9 9950X | 90W PPT | 5050 MHz | 49°C |
| Ryzen 9 9950X | 60W PPT | 4084 MHz | 41°C |
This table summarizes the peak clock speeds and temperatures for various power profiles of the Ryzen 9 9950X CPU, along with comparisons to other models tested.
These results were achieved using a water-cooling setup, which AMD officially recommends for its Ryzen 9 9000 series CPUs, including the 9950X and 9900X. Earlier discussions indicated that Ryzen 9000 chips tend to operate cooler compared to the Ryzen 7000 “Zen 4” CPUs. The custom water-cooling solution used appears to be exceptionally powerful, as it managed to maintain temperatures under 90°C even at a high 320W TDP. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of robust cooling solutions in maximizing performance and maintaining stability under extreme conditions.
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X CPU was tested with a fixed 5.5 GHz overclock using a 253W PPT, which matches Intel’s Core i9 CPUs’ PL2 limit. The results were shared by igor_kavinski via Anandtech Forums.
Under unlimited PPT settings, the CPU reached a peak temperature of 80°C, achieving a peak clock speed of 5621 MHz and averaging 5378 MHz across all cores. When running with the static 253W PPT overclock, the CPU maintained peak temperatures of 61°C while averaging 5.5 GHz across all cores.
As expected, the Ryzen 9 9950X showed comparable performance between the 253W PPT and 5.5 GHz overclock settings, both achieving stable operation at higher frequencies with ample thermal headroom. In contrast, the unlimited PPT configuration consumed more power and ran significantly hotter.
Overall, the CPU demonstrated up to a 40% improvement over the Core i9-14900K and a 38% improvement over the Ryzen 9 7950X at their stock configurations. Beyond a 230W PPT, the performance gains per additional watt of power are minimal. Therefore, opting for the 230W PPT setting provides optimal performance. However, if seeking a slight boost, the 5.5 GHz overclock across all cores remains a viable choice compared to the unlimited PPT option.
AMD continues to lead the efficiency race with its robust Zen architecture, a trend set to continue with its upcoming next-generation lineup. The launch of the AMD Ryzen 9000 “Zen 5” Desktop CPUs is imminent, slated to arrive in retail later this month. Anticipate a wave of tests and reviews in the coming weeks as these new CPUs make their debut in the market.
