Since the former is already available in stores, I'm just curious whether I need to wait for the latter. Gains are pretty much questionable, based on the recent reviews.

 

TIA

9900X3D has fewer 3D cores than either 9800X3D or 9950X3D

The 9800X3D has 8  (1x8) cores, all of which have access to the 3D V-cache.
The 9900X3D has 12 (2x6) cores, halve of which (=6) have access to the 3D V-cache.
The 9950X3D has 16 (2x8) cores, halve of which (=8) have access to the 3D V-cache.

Since most games benefit from running on cores using the 3D cache, parking the cores without 3D cache will help performance but then the 9900X3D will have have fewer cores available than the cheaper 9800X3D. They might run a bit faster though.

Since (flight)simulators compare badly to other type of games it is difficult to say what is the best option. My opinion is that the 9800X3D is the most sensible choice for most and the 9950X3D if you want to have the best of both worlds.
The 9900X3D is the worst of both worlds but that is probably a bit unfair. If you use the PC for other things than just flightsim it might still be a good choice.

On 4/2/2025 at 1:12 AM, Allard said:

9900X3D has fewer 3D cores than either 9800X3D or 9950X3D

The 9800X3D has 8  (1x8) cores, all of which have access to the 3D V-cache.
The 9900X3D has 12 (2x6) cores, halve of which (=6) have access to the 3D V-cache.
The 9950X3D has 16 (2x8) cores, halve of which (=8) have access to the 3D V-cache.

Thanks this subtlely concerning the 9900X3D had escaped me - fortunately i have purchased the 9800X3D although the 9950X3D is, apparently,  the new king - but comes at a significant price hike (if you can get one) and this business of parking cores seems to add an additional layer of complexity.

Bruce

Looks like I will also stick with 9800X3D, as supply is horrible in conjunction with looming tariffs. 

 

I heard that since 9800X3D and 9950XD both use the same architecture, then subsequent replacement won't require Windows/System full reinstallation correct?

 

7 hours ago, G-YMML1 said:

I heard that since 9800X3D and 9950XD both use the same architecture, then subsequent replacement won't require Windows/System full reinstallation correct?

AMD has released new drivers recently that detect a change in CPU and will reinstall the driver automatically to correct for the difference. I don't know whether you need to reinstall for those who still have the older driver. If one has multiple monitors, you can check if core parking works correctly by starting task manager and open the view with all the cpu cores.
Then start flight simulator and keep it the active window. the Task monitor should only shpw activity on the first 8 cores. When you select task manager as the active window, all 16 cores should suddenly show some activity. Make MSFS your active window again and it should jump back to just 8 active cores.

Since core parking only works when a game is the active window, everytime you switch from MSFS to a third-party app like LittleNavmap, or other tools you are using during your flight, core parking is switched off and then on again when you return to MSFS.
I don't know if that will affect performance but it might.