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AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT vs Intel Core i5-12600KF: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT vs Intel Core i5-12600KF l3 cache compared
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT 32 MB against Intel Core i5-12600KF 20 MB, which puts AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT 38% ahead. L2 cache runs the same way, 3 MB on the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT versus 9.5 MB on the Intel Core i5-12600KF, another win for Intel Core i5-12600KF. Tdp is not the same on both, 95 W on the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT versus 125 W on the Intel Core i5-12600KF. Socket is not the same on both, AM4 on the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT versus FCLGA1700 on the Intel Core i5-12600KF.
Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT or Intel Core i5-12600KF?
Take the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT for gaming and productivity desktop builds wanting the highest-clocked 6-core Zen 2 performance available. Avoid it for budget-conscious buyers, the standard Ryzen 5 3600 delivers very close real-world performance for typically less. Buy the Intel Core i5-12600KF for enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking with discrete GPU, though it is the wrong buy 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
The common ground is wider than the gap: performance cores, integrated graphics, form factor, igpu and market segment are identical here. They match on 5 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT or Intel Core i5-12600KF?
The Intel Core i5-12600KF asks 6% more, $264 against $249 for the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core i5-12600KF differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 6 on the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT versus 10 on the Intel Core i5-12600KF.
Is the SMT Enabled the same on the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core i5-12600KF?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT or Intel Core i5-12600KF?
The Intel Core i5-12600KF asks 6% more, $264 against $249 for the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- Ryzen 5
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Core
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 3600XT
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- i5-12600KF
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- Matisse
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 2020
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 2021
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 95 W
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 125 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- None
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- None
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- Zen 2, Ryzen 3000 Series
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- AM4
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- End of Life
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- TSMC 7nm FinFET
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 6
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 10Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 6
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 6
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 0
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 12
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 16Best
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 3.8 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 3.7 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 4.5 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4.9 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 3 MB-68%
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 9.5 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 32 MBBest
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 20 MB-37%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 95 W
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 142 W
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 150 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- DDR4
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- DDR5, DDR4Best
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 3200 MT/s
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4800 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 2
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- No
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 4
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- 20
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 20
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- $249
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- $264
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- Retail
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 3600XT 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).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT | 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.