AMD sparks controversy by denying Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 review samples to Gamers Nexus, TechPowerUp, and others

AMD's much-anticipated Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition CPU went on sale today. Reviews of the dual 3D V-cache CPU are starting to roll in as the embargo on in-depth reviews has been lifted. However, controversy seems to be brewing as AMD has not provided review samples to many notable publications, including Gamers Nexus, TechPowerUp, and Linus Tech Tips.

The issue went mainstream when Gamers Nexus published a video in response to AMD's decision not to source them a review sample ahead of launch. To say the video was strongly worded would be an understatement, as host Steve Burke alleged that AMD "blacklisted" Gamers Nexus in response to a previous video in which they outlined AMD's "seemingly anti-consumer lobbying efforts," according to Burke.

However, this does not seem like an isolated incident. AMD has seemingly been very selective in who gets a review sample of the 9950X3D2. As compiled by Videocardz, in addition to the two major publications already mentioned, AMD also did not send CPUs to Computer Base, HardwareLuxx, eTeknix, or PC Watch either.

• Read more: ASRock accidentally leaks AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual 3D V-Cache CPU in new press release
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Perhaps even more notably, YouTube juggernauts Linus Tech Tips, JayzTwoCents, Hardware Canucks, and Paul's Hardware were also left hanging by AMD. It should be noted that TweakTown also did not receive a review sample of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, unlike previously, when AMD was providing us with samples on a regular basis. Whether this is an isolated incident or part of a larger story is currently unknown.

AMD's sampling choices have been called into question by publications that did not receive a sample. Many believe this is a deliberate attempt by AMD to suppress potential negative reviews, as these large publications are known to provide in-depth coverage of topics such as cache behavior, power scaling, inter-CCD latency, etc. Of course, these topics are doubly important in a CPU such as the 9950X3D2.

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TechPowerUp noted that day-1 reviews of the 9950X3D2 are being published mainly by sites "unlikely to do deep analysis." They also reported that retail channels were restricted by AMD, preventing them from providing units to the press before launch. Regardless, AMD not providing review samples to all these big websites and YouTube reviewers affects their ability to publish a day-1 review. Many have resorted to buying their own 9950X3D2 units, inevitably delaying their reviews.

It is rather interesting that AMD's much-anticipated dual-cache CPU is being denied fair third-party coverage at launch. The 9950X3D2 is already under scrutiny for its high price tag and power draw, and AMD's less-than-desirable tactics around launch do it no favors. You would think that if you had a great product, you would want thorough independent testing by third parties to give it as much publicity as possible, but AMD does not seem to agree.