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AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D vs Intel Core i5-12600KF: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D vs Intel Core i5-12600KF: the l3 cache difference
L3 cache is where these two genuinely part company, AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D 96 MB against Intel Core i5-12600KF 20 MB, a 79% lead for AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D. Blender Cycles (CPU) backs the spec sheet up. Intel Core i5-12600KF scores 272 to 240 over 74 runs, 12% clear. Add l2 cache to that, 6 MB on the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D versus 9.5 MB on the Intel Core i5-12600KF, and the pattern holds.
Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D or Intel Core i5-12600KF?
Buy the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D for high-refresh-rate gaming and flagship gaming builds, though it is the wrong buy for budget builds and non-gaming workstation loads. The Intel Core i5-12600KF suits enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking with discrete GPU, though it is not the pick for systems without a discrete GPU 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 i5-12600KF (7.8/10): the Intel Core i5-12600KF is an unlocked, GPU-less chip aimed at enthusiasts already running a discrete graphics card.
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D vs Intel Core i5-12600KF price
Cost splits them too. AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D sits at $249, Intel Core i5-12600KF at $264, 6% more.
What AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D and Intel Core i5-12600KF have in common
Everything else lines up. Performance cores, form factor, market segment, smt enabled and memory channels read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 4 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D and Intel Core i5-12600KF differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 6 on the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D versus 10 on the Intel Core i5-12600KF.
Is the Max Memory Capacity the same on the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D and Intel Core i5-12600KF?
It is. Both are listed at 128 GB, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Ryzen 5
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Core
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 7600X3D
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- i5-12600KF
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Raphael
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 2024
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 2021
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 65 W
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 125 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- None
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Desktop
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Zen 4 (7000 series)
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- AM5
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Current
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 5 nm
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 6
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 10Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 6
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 6
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 0
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 12
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 16Best
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 4.1 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 3.7 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 4.7 GHz
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4.9 GHz
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 6 MB-37%
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 9.5 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 96 MBBest
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 20 MB-79%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 65 W
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 142 W
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 150 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- DDR5
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- DDR5, DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 5200 MT/sBest
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 4800 MT/s
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 2
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- No
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 24
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- 20-17%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- $249
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- $264
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i5-12600KF
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D
- 240-12%
- 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 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 12600KF if you want the higher L2 cache (9.5 MB vs 6 MB) and the higher blender cycles (CPU) (272 vs 240).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D | Intel Core i5-12600KF |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $249.00 View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | $264.00 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
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 i5-12600KF
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.