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AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i9-12900K: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i9-12900K l3 cache compared
Start with l3 cache, because it is the widest measured gap between them: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X 64 MB against Intel Core i9-12900K 30 MB, 53% in favour of AMD Ryzen 9 3950X. Measured rather than claimed: in Blender Cycles (CPU) the Intel Core i9-12900K returns 354 against 353 over 68 runs, a 0% lead. Intel Core i9-12900K also leads on l2 cache, 8 MB on the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X versus 14 MB on the Intel Core i9-12900K. There is a split on integrated graphics as well, No on the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X versus Yes on the Intel Core i9-12900K.
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i9-12900K: which one fits your build
Take the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X for content creators and prosumers wanting genuine 16-core throughput on a mainstream AM4 platform without HEDT complexity. It is the wrong buy for buyers who need integrated graphics, this chip requires a discrete GPU. The Intel Core i9-12900K suits enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is not the pick for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the Intel Core i9-12900K (7.9/10): the Intel Core i9-12900K is an unlocked overclockable chip, well suited to enthusiast gaming and productivity builds.
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i9-12900K price
Cost splits them too. Intel Core i9-12900K sits at $589, AMD Ryzen 9 3950X at $749, 27% more.
What AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and Intel Core i9-12900K have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: total cores, form factor, market segment, smt enabled and unlocked multiplier are identical here. They match on 3 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and Intel Core i9-12900K differ on performance cores?
Yes. Performance Cores reads 16 on the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X versus 8 on the Intel Core i9-12900K.
Is the Memory Channels the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and Intel Core i9-12900K?
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 9 3950X
- Ryzen 9
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Core
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 3950X
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- i9-12900K
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Matisse
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 2019
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 2021
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 105 W
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 125 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- None
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Zen 2, Ryzen 3000 Series "Matisse"
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- AM4
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- End of Life
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 16
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 16
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 16Best
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 0
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 8Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 32Best
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 24
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 3.5 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 3.2 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 4.7 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 5.1 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 8 MB-43%
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 14 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 64 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 30 MB-53%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 105 W
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 142 W
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 241 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- DDR4
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- DDR5 or DDR4Best
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 3200 MT/s
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 4800 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 2
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- No
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Yes
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 4
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 20
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 20
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- $749
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- $589
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Retail
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 3530%
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 354Best
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 3950X 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 12900K if you want the higher L2 cache (14 MB vs 8 MB) and the higher blender cycles (CPU) (354 vs 353).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $749.00 View on Consumercarts listing | |
| Amazon | $589.00 View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | |
| B&H Photo | View on B&H Photo |
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 i9-12900K
7.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-12900K is an unlocked overclockable chip, well suited to enthusiast gaming and productivity builds.