AMDRyzen 9 5950X 16-core, 32-thread unlocked desktop processor

The CPU can fluctuate between 3.4GHz and 5.0GHz, but it will get hot (60-90 degrees Celsius). I stress tested it with AMD Ryzen Master and it performs well while not exceeding 90 degrees. My BIOS settings default to overclocking so I have to tweak the settings (ex. after a BIOS update). I disabled Precision Boost Overdrive and set the CPU Core Ratio at 3.4GHz, which is its base clock speed, wherefor the temperature gets between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius. I prefer a lower CPU temperature as opposed to overclocking. Liquid cooling is required, in my case being the ASUS TUF Gaming LC 120 ARGB which was a solid choice for my build, looks totally awesome.I upgraded from a Ryzen 7 3700X with a Wraith Prism. The computer ran just fine with 8 cores, but altogether it performs better and feels much more complete. Full system startup in 30-45 seconds. UserBenchmark places this CPU at the 80th percentile; "With a good single core score, this CPU can easily handle the majority of general computing tasks. Additionally this processor can handle intensive workstation, and even full-fledged server workloads. Finally, with a gaming score of 80%, this CPU's suitability for 3D gaming is very good." ~ UserBenchmarkI monitor my clock speed and CPU temperature with the software Core Temp.Skál.

I had two reservations about buying this processor. First, I didn't think I would see much improvement over the Ryzen 7 3700X. I was wrong, I believe the performance has increased at least 50%. My average boot time is now about 18-20 seconds versus 35-40 seconds with the 3700X. I now run my Webroot program in four minutes 8 seconds max vs. 5-9 minutes. Still other programs have run in half the time of the 3700X. Second, I was worried that my Dark Rock Pro 4 air cooler couldn't handle this processor. I was wrong again. After removing the Dark Rock Pro 4 cooler and blowing out the dust and cat hair and installing Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Grease on the 5950X, it now runs cooler than the 3700X. With the ambient room temperature of 66 degrees, my idle temps are 23 Celsius (73 F) to 29 Celsius (84 F). When running software, I have not seen temps above 63 Celsius. I am sure temps will increase as summer is coming but I will be happy if I can keep it below 70 Celsius as Thermal Grizzly says the thermal grease is good to 80 Celsius. Don't believe all the reviews that say you have to have a liquid cooler. I have never been a fan of putting a liquid in my computer. I saw a video review of the 5950X processor with the Dark Rock Pro 4 air cooler installed and then I ordered my 5950X.Now for the bad news.If you have Windows 10 and are upgrading to this processor then it should be a walk in the park provided you have a bios version that supports 5000 series processors.If you have Windows 11 Pro like I have, you will have problems after the install. Windows 11 does not like hardware or bios changes. Their security feature checks everything on startup and when it finds changes it now makes you change your pin. If you don't have your password that you had when you installed Windows, you are dead in the water. Not only do you have to have your password, Windows 11 requires you to confirm a security key with a second email address requiring you to have another computer to get to that code. I hadn't used my computer I built in 2010 in over a year. Luckily it booted up and I was able to retrieve my second security code and now it let me change my pin. However, I still have a problem with one website after the new install. It takes me about 5 minutes to log on because my pin number has changed and doesn't want me to logon to that site.I wanted to get the Ryzen 9 5950X before they are gone. I believe the price will increase shortly due to tariff increases. Get one before it goes up. I missed last year's Black Friday sale price of $292.00 and I didn't want to miss this one.

My current PC came with a 12-core AMD 3900X with a base speed of 3.8 GHz and max clock speed of 4.6 GHz. This new 5950X has a base clock speed of 3.4 GHZ and max rated speed of 4.9 GHz.The 5950X replaced the 3900X using the same motherboard, case and cooler. The 5950X runs faster, peaking at 5 GHz but usually averages at 4.45 GHz. my old 3900X would peak at 4.2 GHz and average at 3.9 GHz. What is more amazing is that the 5950X runs a lot cooler than the 3900X. The 5950X peaks at 80 degrees C but averages 72 degrees. My old 3900X peaked at 95 degrees and averaged at 85 degrees. Add the fact that the 5950X draws less power than the 3900X to boot! You can even reduce power consumption by going into Power Options in Control Panel and select Power Saver mode. It will drop the idle CPU speed from 3.5 GHz to 1.7 GHz. But you must revert to AMD Ryzen High Performance or Balanced profiles for the CPU to perform at peak speed and the Power Saver mode throttles the CPU under most cases. Power Saver mode will drop the idle temps from 50+ degrees down to 35-40 degrees.I use my PC for rendering videos. Unfortunately, the software I use does not scale too well with additional cores, but it still makes a difference. What used to take 45 minutes now takes about 35 minutes, so about a 20% increase in speed. Other than rendering, there is not much difference with the new CPU as the 3900X is pretty fast as it is.The big question is whether the 5950X is worth the additional $250 over the 12-core 5900X. If you are using software that takes advantage of the additional four cores, then yes. But for most people, the 12-core 5900X will suit them perfectly, as the 5950X is only about 10-15% faster than the 5900X but at a bump of 30% in price. The 5900X is a better value than the 5950X. It would be interesting to see what AMD will do now since the new Intel 12900K CPU outperforms the AMD at a $150 lower price.But the Intel requires a new motherboard (and the boards are quite expensive), new DDR5 memory (which is REAL expensive) and a heavy-duty cooler since the Intel draws nearly double the power than the AMD and generates a lot more heat, hitting 95 degrees easily. All this means that the Intel, while a cheaper CPU, will cost a few hundred dollars more because the supporting components are a lot more expensive.