Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D vs Intel Core i5-12600K: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D vs Intel Core i5-12600K l3 cache compared
Start with l3 cache, because it is the widest measured gap between them: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D 96 MB against Intel Core i5-12600K 20 MB, 79% in favour of AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D. Measured rather than claimed: in Blender Cycles (CPU) the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D returns 240 against 222 over 39 runs, a 7% lead. Intel Core i5-12600K also leads on l2 cache, 6 MB on the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D versus 9.5 MB on the Intel Core i5-12600K.
Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D or Intel Core i5-12600K?
Buy the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D for high-refresh-rate gaming and flagship gaming builds, though it is not built for budget builds and non-gaming workstation loads. The Intel Core i5-12600K suits enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is the wrong buy for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D (8.9/10): the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D is one of the best gaming CPUs available, its huge L3 cache translating directly into higher in-game frame rates. Our rating of the Intel Core i5-12600K (7.9/10): the Intel Core i5-12600K is an unlocked overclockable chip, well suited to enthusiast gaming and productivity builds.
What AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D and Intel Core i5-12600K have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, performance cores, integrated graphics, form factor, market segment and smt enabled included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 5 further specifications as well.
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D vs Intel Core i5-12600K price
The Intel Core i5-12600K asks 16% more, $289 against $249 for the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D and Intel Core i5-12600K differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 6 on the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D versus 10 on the Intel Core i5-12600K.
Is the Memory Channels the same on the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D and Intel Core i5-12600K?
It is. Both are listed at 2, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D or Intel Core i5-12600K?
The Intel Core i5-12600K asks 16% more, $289 against $249 for the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Ryzen 5
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Core
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 7600X3D
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- i5-12600K
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Raphael
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 2024
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 2021
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 65 W
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 125 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Zen 4 (7000 series)
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- AM5
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Current
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 5 nm
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 6
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 10Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 6
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 6
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 0
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 4Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 12
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 16Best
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 4.1 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 3.7 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 4.7 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 4.9 GHz
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 6 MB-37%
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 9.5 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 96 MBBest
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 20 MB-79%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 65 W
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 142 W
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 150 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- DDR5
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- DDR5, DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 5200 MT/sBest
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 4800 MT/s
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 2
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Yes
iGPU Model
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- AMD Radeon Graphics (RDNA 2, 2 CUs)
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU Compute Units
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 2
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 32
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- No
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 24
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 20-17%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- $249
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- $289
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 240Best
- Intel Core i5-12600K
- 222-7%
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 7600X3D if you want the higher L3 cache (96 MB vs 20 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (24 vs 20).
Choose 12600K if you want the higher L2 cache (9.5 MB vs 6 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $249.00 View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| Best Buy | $289.00 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
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
8.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D is one of the best gaming CPUs available, its huge L3 cache translating directly into higher in-game frame rates.
Intel Core i5-12600K
7.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i5-12600K is an unlocked overclockable chip, well suited to enthusiast gaming and productivity builds.