AMD’s rumored flagship Zen 5 processor, the 9950X3D2, is set to double down on V-Cache, creating a massive 192 MB L3 cache pool. We compare the leaked specs against Intel’s upcoming Nova Lake BLLC strategy.
The tech community is excited again for the new processor, thanks to leaked details concerning AMD’s upcoming Zen 5 architecture. Of course, AMD Zen 6 is already planned, but it is scheduled to be produced in 2027. While the standard Ryzen 9000 series is already highly anticipated, rumors point to a monster chip designed specifically to claim the undisputed gaming crown: the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2.
This new CPU flagship, a successor to the powerful X3D line, introduces an aggressive dual-stacking strategy that could set a new benchmark for gaming performance, leaving competitors scrambling to catch up
The “D2” difference: Dual V-Cache & 192 MB L3 Cache
The most critical and differentiating detail of the rumored CPU, Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, lies in its name’s suffix: “D2.” This is believed to signify the use of Dual V-Cache CCDs (Core Compute Dies).
In previous generations (like the 7950X3D), only one of the two CCDs was equipped with 3D V-Cache to balance gaming performance with general clock speed. The 9950X3D2 changes the game by allegedly equipping both CCDs with 3D V-Cache.
Key leaked specifications for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2:
| Feature | Specification | Detail |
| Name | Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 | Indicates dual 3D V-Cache CCDs. |
| Architecture | Zen 5 | Successor to the Zen 4 architecture. |
| Core Count | 16 Cores / 32 Threads | Full core count across two CCDs. |
| Total L3 Cache | 192 MB | 128 MB of 3D V-Cache stacked on top of the 64 MB standard L3 cache. |
| TDP (Thermal Design Power) | 200 W | A significant power envelope reflecting the dual-cache and core configuration. |
| Max Boost Clock | Up to 5.6 GHz | Highly competitive boost speed, despite the heat dissipation challenges of 3D stacking. |
This enormous cache pool of 192 MB L3 cache is expected to deliver monumental performance gains in cache-sensitive games, leveraging AMD’s V-Cache technology across all available cores.
The leaks also mention the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, a potentially 8-core variant with a single X3D CCD, also boosting up to 5.6 GHz, which would serve as a powerful option for gamers who do not need the flagship core count.
The CPU cache war: AMD’s 3D V-Cache vs. Intel’s BLLC
The emergence of the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 sets the stage for a dramatic competition against Intel’s next-generation Nova Lake platform, particularly concerning cache-heavy gaming performance.
AMD’s 3D V-Cache strategy (Ryzen 9 9950X3D2)
AMD’s approach is a surgical strike targeting gaming performance. 3D V-Cache involves vertically stacking an extra layer of L3 cache directly onto the CPU die.
- Technology: 3D V-Cache (Vertical Stacked Cache).
- Capacity: 192 MB total L3 Cache.
- Implementation: Cache stacked on both CCDs, ensuring all 16 cores benefit from ultra-low latency.
- Advantage: Unmatched frame rates in cache-sensitive games by providing extremely fast access to a massive data pool.
Intel’s Big Last Level Cache (BLLC) offering (Nova Lake)
Intel’s Nova Lake platform is rumored to feature an integrated solution called BLLC (Big Last Level Cache) on its high-end desktop SKUs. This provides a massive cache capacity without using 3D stacking in the same way as AMD’s V-Cache.
| Feature | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 (Zen 5) | Intel Nova Lake (Rumored Flagship) |
| Architecture | Zen 5 Chiplet Design | Coyote/Arctic Wolf (Hybrid Core) Tiles |
| Gaming Cache | 192 MB 3D L3 Cache | 288 MB BLLC (Big Last Level Cache) |
| Core Configuration | 16 Cores / 32 Threads | 52 Cores / 52 Threads (16 P-Cores, 32 E-Cores, 4 LP Cores) |
| TDP | 200 W | 150 W – 250 W Range |
| Cache Type | Vertical 3D Stack (Low Latency) | Large On-Die Monolithic L3 Cache |
AMD vs Intel CPUs’ cache philosophies
While the Intel Nova Lake flagship is rumored to have a colossal 288 MB of BLLC, it is described as a large monolithic cache structure, which differs fundamentally from AMD’s 3D-stacked approach.
- AMD’s Focus: Low Latency and High Bandwidth. The vertically stacked V-Cache provides the quickest possible data access, which is the key metric for gaming performance.
- Intel’s Focus: Raw Capacity and Multi-Threaded Throughput. The BLLC serves Intel’s highly multi-core, hybrid architecture, providing a huge, accessible cache pool for both P-cores and E-cores to manage a massive 52-core load
Should we be excited about the upcoming AMD CPU?
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 with its dual V-Cache CCDs looks poised to maintain AMD’s leadership in raw gaming framerates, fully utilizing the low-latency advantage of its 3D stacking technology. Meanwhile, the Nova Lake family will aggressively challenge AMD on multi-threaded workstations and general-use computing with its massive core count and enormous BLLC capacity.
Only the future will tell!
