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AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core i9-12900: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core i9-12900: the l3 cache difference
Start with l3 cache, because it is the widest measured gap between them: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 96 MB against Intel Core i9-12900 30 MB, 69% in favour of AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D. L2 cache runs the same way, 8 MB on the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D versus 14 MB on the Intel Core i9-12900, another win for Intel Core i9-12900. There is a split on socket as well, AM5 on the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D versus FCLGA1700 on the Intel Core i9-12900.
Who each one is for
The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D suits high-refresh-rate gaming and flagship gaming builds, though it is not the pick for budget builds and non-gaming workstation loads. The Intel Core i9-12900 is the one to take for desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (8.9/10): the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 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 i9-12900 (8.2/10): the Intel Core i9-12900 is a mainstream desktop processor, a solid all-rounder for gaming and productivity builds.
What AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Intel Core i9-12900 have in common
Everything else lines up. Performance cores, integrated graphics, form factor, market segment and smt enabled read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 4 further specifications as well.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core i9-12900 price
Price will not decide this: $479 against $489 at the last check.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Intel Core i9-12900 differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 8 on the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D versus 16 on the Intel Core i9-12900.
Is the Memory Channels the same on the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Intel Core i9-12900?
It is. Both are listed at 2, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Ryzen
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Core
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 9800X3D
- Intel Core i9-12900
- i9-12900
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Granite Ridge
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 2024
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2022
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 120 W
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 65 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Zen 5 (9000 series)
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- AM5
- Intel Core i9-12900
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Current
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 4 nm
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 8
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 16Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 8
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 0
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 8Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 16
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 24Best
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 4.7 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2.4 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 5.2 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 5 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900
- No
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 8 MB-43%
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 14 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 96 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 30 MB-69%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 120 W
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 65 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 162 W
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 202 W
Bundled Cooler
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- None
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Intel Laminar RM1
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- DDR5
- Intel Core i9-12900
- DDR5 or DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 5600 MT/sBest
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 4800 MT/s
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 2
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 256 GBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Yes
iGPU Model
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU Compute Units
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 2
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 32
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- No
- Intel Core i9-12900
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i9-12900
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- 24
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 20-17%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- $479
- Intel Core i9-12900
- $489
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 9800X3D if you want the higher L3 cache (96 MB vs 30 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (24 vs 20).
Choose 12900 if you want the higher L2 cache (14 MB vs 8 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D | Intel Core i9-12900 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $479.00 View on Amazon | $489.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
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 7 9800X3D
8.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is one of the best gaming CPUs available, its huge L3 cache translating directly into higher in-game frame rates.
Intel Core i9-12900
8.2 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-12900 is a mainstream desktop processor, a solid all-rounder for gaming and productivity builds.