AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | 12 cores | 24 threads | 5.6 GHz boost | 64 MB L3 cache | AM5 socket | 120 W TDP | $499$379.27 at Amazon (save $119.73) Overpriced when it was launched last year, AMD's Ryzen 9 9900X is actually a stellar all-round processor thanks to its high clock speeds and mountain of L3 cache.
There are better choices for gaming but it's no slouch in this aspect whatsoever. 9900X price check: Newegg $379.27 Sometimes you think you've stumbled across a fantastic deal, only to discover it was actually cheaper in the past.
That was very much the case when I thought the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X processor was the lowest it's ever been. Except it wasn't. It was at its cheapest yesterday.
Fortunately, you're only missing out on that bargain by a whole four cents. So why should you consider this Ryzen chip over anything else?
For PC gaming, you want the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, but that has an MSRP of $479, and good luck finding one at that price. High demand has decimated stocks, so if you do happen to stumble across one, it's unlikely to be for that kind of money.