Recently, foreign media outlet Hot Hardware exposed early performance data for the upcoming Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor. The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D features 16 cores based on the Zen 5 architecture, supports 32 threads, and comes equipped with up to 64 MB of 3D V-Cache L3 cache. Its maximum boost clock reaches 5.4 GHz. The default power consumption is rated at 55W, though it can support a TDP of up to 75W. While AMD has not yet announced an official retail release date, it has confirmed a launch in the first half of 2025. For now, this early data offers a glimpse into the processor’s capabilities.
The tests were conducted on an MSI Raider A18 HX laptop, with a system configuration including the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, up to 64 GB of DDR5 memory, and either an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 or 5090 GPU. According to CPU-Z data, the 9955HX3D achieves a single-core frequency of 5.19 GHz under light loads, nearing 5.2 GHz with dual-core operation, while idle cores drop below 2 GHz. This dynamic frequency adjustment optimizes power efficiency while reserving performance headroom for high-load tasks. Due to pre-launch testing embargoes, Hot Hardware couldn’t provide gaming frame rate data, but benchmark results from Cinebench, PCMark 10, and Geekbench still highlight its performance under synthetic workloads.
In the Cinebench 2024 multi-core test, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D scored 2094 points, about 20% higher than the 1745 points of the previous-generation Ryzen 9 7945HX (found in the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17), showcasing the improvements brought by the Zen 5 architecture and 3D V-Cache. In the single-core test, it scored 129 points, placing it near the top, just behind the Apple M3 Max’s 132 points. In Geekbench 6, the 9955HX3D achieved a single-core score of 3165 and a multi-core score of 16,200. While its single-core result is nearly identical to the M3 Max (3161), it significantly outpaces the latter’s multi-core performance (around 12,000). Compared to AMD’s own Ryzen AI Max+ 395, the 9955HX3D lags by about 48% in Geekbench 6 multi-core testing, possibly due to the latter’s AI-optimized architecture. In PCMark 10’s productivity test, the 9955HX3D scored 9706, slightly below the Ryzen AI Max+ 395’s 9739, but still ahead of other competitors.
Single-core performance is a standout feature of the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, consistently ranking near the top in both Cinebench and Geekbench tests. This trait is especially critical for gaming, where many titles still rely heavily on single-threaded performance to drive frame rates. Compared to the previous X3D processor (like the Ryzen 9 7945HX3D), the 9955HX3D maintains its high-cache advantage while boosting core frequencies, addressing past X3D series shortcomings in productivity tasks. PCMark 10 results indicate it can also deliver a smooth experience in everyday office work and content creation scenarios.
The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D belongs to AMD’s newly introduced “Fire Range” series, manufactured using a 4nm process. It integrates 16 MB of L2 cache and a total of 128 MB of L3 cache (including 3D V-Cache). This design borrows from the desktop-grade Ryzen 9 9950X3D, bringing large-cache benefits to the mobile platform to enhance gaming and multitasking efficiency. Paired with the RTX 5090 mobile GPU, which boasts 10,496 CUDA cores and 24 GB of GDDR7 memory with a power draw of up to 175W, this combination could power the most formidable gaming laptops of 2025.
The first devices featuring the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D have already appeared on pre-order lists. For example, Polish retailer Dream Machines offers a configuration with the RTX 5090 starting at approximately €3,860, while brands like Mechrevo and Machenike have introduced ultra-premium versions supporting up to 280W of power consumption. These models often come with 16-inch 2.5K 300 Hz displays and PCIe 5.0 SSDs, targeting users seeking extreme performance. However, their high power draw and price point suggest they’re better suited as desktop replacements rather than lightweight, portable options.
Based on available data, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D rivals top-tier desktop processors in single-core performance while offering multi-core capabilities robust enough for complex workloads. Its arrival sets the stage for fierce competition with Intel’s Arrow Lake-HX series (e.g., Core Ultra 9 275HX), particularly in gaming, where 3D V-Cache could prove a decisive edge. While full gaming benchmarks await the lifting of NVIDIA’s RTX 50-series embargo, this CPU undeniably raises the bar for the high-end laptop market in 2025. Whether for gamers chasing maximum frame rates or creators needing potent computational power, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D demonstrates compelling potential.