Recently, Hot Hardware unveiled preliminary performance figures for AMD's upcoming Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor. This powerhouse boasts 16 Zen 5 architecture cores, 32 threads, a substantial 64 MB 3D V-Cache L3 cache, and up to a 5.4 GHz boost clock. It has a default power consumption of 55 W, scalable up to 75 W TDP. While the exact launch date remains under wraps, it is expected in the first half of 2025.

Tests were conducted on an MSI Raider A18 HX laptop equipped with up to 64 GB of DDR5 RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 or 5090 GPU. CPU-Z data shows the 9955HX3D reaching up to 5.19 GHz on a single core under light loads, and nearly 5.2 GHz on dual-core tasks, with idle cores dropping below 2 GHz. This adaptive frequency tuning optimizes energy efficiency while conserving performance for intensive tasks. Although gaming benchmarks are embargoed, performance in synthetic benchmarks like Cinebench, PCMark 10, and Geekbench demonstrates impressive results.

In the Cinebench 2024 multi-core test, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D achieved a score of 2,094 — a 20% improvement over its Ryzen 9 7945HX predecessor, thanks to Zen 5 architecture and 3D V-Cache enhancements. In single-core tests, it scored 129, just behind Apple’s M3 Max at 132. The Geekbench 6 results showed it scoring 3,165 in single-core and 16,200 in multi-core, matching closely with Apple’s M3 Max while surpassing it in multi-core performance. Compared to AMD's Ryzen AI Max+ 395, the 9955HX3D trails by about 48% in Geekbench 6's multi-core test, possibly due to the AI-specific tweaks in the latter's architecture. However, it scored 9,706 in PCMark 10's productivity test, a tad lower than the Ryzen AI Max+ 395, but still leading against rivals.

The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D's single-core proficiency shines in both Cinebench and Geekbench assessments, crucial for gaming where single-threaded performance significantly influences frame rates. It surpasses earlier X3D series processors by enhancing core frequencies while retaining high cache benefits, offering seamless experiences in everyday office and creative tasks, highlighted by PCMark 10 evaluations.

Belonging to AMD's new "Fire Range" series, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is crafted on a 4nm process, integrating a 16 MB L2 cache and a total 128 MB L3 cache, including the 3D V-Cache. This design philosophy, akin to the desktop Ryzen 9 9950X3D, enriches the mobile platform with superior cache capacities for improved gaming and multitasking efficiency. Complementing the setup is the robust RTX 5090 Mobile Edition GPU with 10,496 CUDA cores and 24 GB of GDDR7 video memory, using up to 175 W, poised to define 2025's ultimate gaming laptop.

Initial models featuring the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D are already available for pre-order. Polish retailer Dream Machines lists an RTX 5090-equipped setup starting at approximately €3,860, with other brands like Mechatronics offering ultra-high-end versions capable of up to 280 W power draw. These models often feature 16-inch 2.5K 300 Hz displays and PCIe 5.0 SSDs, targeting hardcore performance enthusiasts. The high power usage and costs suggest they align more with desktop-replacement laptops than ultra-portable solutions.

With single-core performance rivalling top desktop CPUs, and multi-core capabilities adept at managing heavy workloads, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is set to battle Intel's Arrow Lake-HX series (e.g., Core Ultra 9 275HX), particularly in gaming where 3D V-Cache might hold a competitive edge. The full gaming benchmarks await the lifting of the embargo on NVIDIA RTX 50 series cards, but this CPU already sets a compelling precedent for 2025's elite laptop market. Whether for gamers craving extraordinary frame rates or creators needing substantial computational power, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D shows great promise.