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AMD Ryzen 5 3600X vs Intel Core i5-12600KF: Comparison
What is the difference between AMD Ryzen 5 3600X and Intel Core i5-12600KF?
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X 32 MB against Intel Core i5-12600KF 20 MB, which puts AMD Ryzen 5 3600X 38% ahead. The benchmark result agrees. Blender Cycles (CPU) puts Intel Core i5-12600KF 49% ahead, 272 against 138 over 74 runs. L2 cache runs the same way, 3 MB on the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus 9.5 MB on the Intel Core i5-12600KF, another win for Intel Core i5-12600KF.
AMD Ryzen 5 3600X vs Intel Core i5-12600KF: which one fits your build
Take the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X for gaming and productivity desktop builds wanting a modest clock speed edge over the standard Ryzen 5 3600. It is the wrong buy for budget-conscious buyers, the standard Ryzen 5 3600 delivers very close performance for typically less. The Intel Core i5-12600KF is the one to take for enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking with discrete GPU, though it is not built for systems without a discrete GPU and fanless designs. Our rating of the Intel Core i5-12600KF (7.8/10): the Intel Core i5-12600KF is an unlocked, GPU-less chip aimed at enthusiasts already running a discrete graphics card.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, performance cores, integrated graphics, form factor, igpu and market segment included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 5 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 5 3600X or Intel Core i5-12600KF?
Cost splits them too. AMD Ryzen 5 3600X sits at $249, Intel Core i5-12600KF at $264, 6% more.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X and Intel Core i5-12600KF differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 6 on the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus 10 on the Intel Core i5-12600KF.
Is the SMT Enabled the same on the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X and Intel Core i5-12600KF?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- Ryzen 5
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Core
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 3600X
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- i5-12600KF
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- Matisse
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 2019
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 2021
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 95 W
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 125 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- None
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- None
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- Zen 2, Ryzen 3000 Series
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- AM4
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- End of Life
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- TSMC 7nm FinFET
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 6
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 10Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 6
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 6
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 0
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 12
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 16Best
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 3.8 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 3.7 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 4.4 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4.9 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 3 MB-68%
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 9.5 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 32 MBBest
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 20 MB-37%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 95 W
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 128 W
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 150 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- DDR4
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- DDR5, DDR4Best
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 3200 MT/s
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4800 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 2
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- No
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 4
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 20
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 20
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- $249
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- $264
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- Retail
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- 138-49%
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 272Best
Blender 4.5, Blender Open Data (CC0). Median of monster + junkshop + classroom, combined samples/min.
Renders a 3D scene using every core. Shows speed for 3D and rendering work, not gaming.
Which one should you pick?
Choose 3600X if you want the higher L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (20 vs 20).
Choose 12600KF if you want the higher L2 cache (9.5 MB vs 3 MB) and the higher blender cycles (CPU) (272 vs 138).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i5-12600KF |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $249.00 View on Consumercarts listing | |
| Newegg | $264.00 View on Newegg | |
| Best Buy | View on Best Buy | |
| Amazon | View on Amazon |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Intel Core i5-12600KF
7.8 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i5-12600KF is an unlocked, GPU-less chip aimed at enthusiasts already running a discrete graphics card.