Fanboi perspective.
Intel CPU problem affect 100 users : Hardware issue, ini semua salah Intel! Intel must refunds all buyers!
AMD CPU problem affect 100 users : User problem, Mobo maker problem, ini bukan salah AMD! Users must say sorry to AMD for causing CPU burn!

Three cases of 9950X3D died. I hope its not fire hazard.

Unless Intel is a must brand for you go intel 14gen because not much different in gaming compare with ultra series(lower performance most of the time) and 14gen got 5 years warranty.

Else go AMD x3d model, performance in gaming is unbeatable in any way for AMD.

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This post has been edited by rifles: Apr 18 2025, 06:53 PM

Just buy whatever you want within your budget... others just give opinion... at the end you are the one who making the decision and be happy with what you buy and get done with it....

I personally do not suggest core ultra 9.
My two suggestions as below:
1. Just do nothing with your current motherboard and RAM. Get the Core i9 14900K, this CPU is performs better than core ultra 9 in gaming.
2. Just straight upgrade to AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D or Ryzen 9 9950X3D. Depends on what you need. If you prefer more just for gaming, 9800X3D is slightly performs better than 9950X3D. If you prefer both works and gaming, just get the highest end 9950X3D.

The difference of 9950x3d compares to 9800x3d just only few FPS lower, maybe 1-3% lower on some games. It is depends, if you are playing RTS or turn base strategy games. Such as Age of Empires IV, Anno 1800, Civilization VII, Cities Skylines II. 9950X3D will performs better than 9800X3D. If you are playing ARPG games, FPS games, action games, it is more relying on CPU v-cache. 9800X3D will perfoms better than 9950x3d.

I've been using the 9950X3D for over a month now, and so far, so good. If the CPU ever fails, I'll come back here to report it.
Just to avoid to use AsRock motherboard but mine is MSI X870E.

Core 9series have never been good value for pure gaming like ever. i7/U7 have always got within 95-98% but at much more manageable temps and cheaper too. 9series still has its use tho for purely work use, or mix work/gaming usage which heavily lean to work.

Otherwise if just purely gaming/internet, AMD is better.

Just stick to what you have and use until it cannot support 1080P, you're just wasting money doing halfway upgrades.
When the time comes, get a new pc.