Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Intel Core i7-12700F: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Intel Core i7-12700F: the l2 cache difference
On l2 cache the spread is 75%, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 3 MB against Intel Core i7-12700F 12 MB, so Intel Core i7-12700F takes it. Add l3 cache to that, 32 MB on the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X versus 25 MB on the Intel Core i7-12700F, and the pattern holds. They differ on p-core base clock too, 3.7 GHz on the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X versus 2.1 GHz on the Intel Core i7-12700F. They differ on socket too, AM4 on the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X versus FCLGA1700 on the Intel Core i7-12700F.
Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X or Intel Core i7-12700F?
Take the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X for gaming-focused desktop builds wanting excellent value from Zen 3's per-core gains and large cache. It is the wrong buy for buyers needing more than 6 cores for heavy multi-threaded productivity work, the 8-core Ryzen 7 5800X handles that better. The Intel Core i7-12700F suits desktop gaming with discrete GPU and value desktop builds, though it is the wrong buy for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the Intel Core i7-12700F (8.1/10): the Intel Core i7-12700F is a graphics-less desktop chip, a good value pick for builds already using a discrete GPU.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Tdp, integrated graphics, form factor, igpu and market segment read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 6 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X or Intel Core i7-12700F?
They cost within a few percent of each other, $299 versus $314 when we last looked.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X and Intel Core i7-12700F differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 6 on the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X versus 12 on the Intel Core i7-12700F.
Is the SMT Enabled the same on the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X and Intel Core i7-12700F?
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 5600X
- Ryzen 5
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Core
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 5600X
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- i7-12700F
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Vermeer
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 2020
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 2022
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 65 W
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 65 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- None
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- None
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Zen 3, Ryzen 5000 Series
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- AM4
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- End of Life
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 6
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 12Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 6
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 8Best
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 0
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 4Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 12
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 20Best
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Yes
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 3.7 GHz
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 2.1 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 4.6 GHz
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 4.8 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Yes
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- No
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 3 MB-75%
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 12 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 32 MBBest
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 25 MB-22%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 65 W
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 65 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 88 W
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 180 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- DDR4
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- DDR5, DDR4Best
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 3200 MT/s
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 4800 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 2
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- No
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- No
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- PCIe 4.0
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 24
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- 20-17%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- $299
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- $314
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 5600X if you want the higher L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (24 vs 20).
Choose 12700F if you want the higher L2 cache (12 MB vs 3 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | Intel Core i7-12700F |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $299.00 View on Amazon | $314.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| Best Buy | View on Best Buy |
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 i7-12700F
8.1 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i7-12700F is a graphics-less desktop chip, a good value pick for builds already using a discrete GPU.