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AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel Core i9-12900: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel Core i9-12900 l3 cache compared
L3 cache is where these two genuinely part company, AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 64 MB against Intel Core i9-12900 30 MB, a 53% lead for AMD Ryzen 9 3900X. Add l2 cache to that, 6 MB on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus 14 MB on the Intel Core i9-12900, and the pattern holds. There is a split on tdp as well, 105 W on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus 65 W on the Intel Core i9-12900. They differ on integrated graphics too, No on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Yes on the Intel Core i9-12900.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel Core i9-12900: which one fits your build
Take the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X for content creators and prosumers wanting genuine 12-core multi-threaded throughput at a mainstream desktop price. It is not the one for buyers who need integrated graphics, this chip requires a discrete GPU. Buy the Intel Core i9-12900 for desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. 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 9 3900X and Intel Core i9-12900 have in common
Everything else lines up. Total threads, form factor, market segment, smt enabled and memory channels read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 2 further specifications as well.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel Core i9-12900 price
Price will not decide this: $489 against $499 at the last check.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Intel Core i9-12900 differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 12 on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus 16 on the Intel Core i9-12900.
Is the Max Memory Capacity the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Intel Core i9-12900?
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 9 3900X
- Ryzen 9
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Core
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 3900X
- Intel Core i9-12900
- i9-12900
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Matisse
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 2019
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2022
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 105 W
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 65 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- None
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Zen 2, Ryzen 3000 Series "Matisse"
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- AM4
- Intel Core i9-12900
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- End of Life
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 12
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 16Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 12Best
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 0
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 8Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 24
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 24
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 3.8 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2.4 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 4.6 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 5 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900
- No
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 6 MB-57%
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 14 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 64 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 30 MB-53%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 105 W
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 65 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 142 W
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 202 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- DDR4
- Intel Core i9-12900
- DDR5 or DDR4Best
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 3200 MT/s
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 4800 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 2
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- No
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Yes
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 4
- Intel Core i9-12900
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 20
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 20
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- $499
- Intel Core i9-12900
- $489
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Retail
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 3900X if you want the higher L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (20 vs 20).
Choose 12900 if you want the higher L2 cache (14 MB vs 6 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Intel Core i9-12900 |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $499.00 View on Consumercarts listing | |
| Amazon | $489.00 View on Amazon | |
| 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
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.