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AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i9-12900KS: Comparison
What is the difference between AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and Intel Core i9-12900KS?
On l3 cache the spread is 53%, AMD Ryzen 9 3950X 64 MB against Intel Core i9-12900KS 30 MB, so AMD Ryzen 9 3950X takes it. Blender Cycles (CPU) backs the spec sheet up. Intel Core i9-12900KS scores 373 to 353 over 10 runs, 5% clear. Add l2 cache to that, 8 MB on the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X versus 14 MB on the Intel Core i9-12900KS, and the pattern holds. Integrated graphics is not the same on both, No on the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X versus Yes on the Intel Core i9-12900KS.
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i9-12900KS: 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 i9-12900KS is the one to take for enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is not the pick for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the Intel Core i9-12900KS (8.7/10): the Intel Core i9-12900KS is an unlocked flagship desktop chip, a top pick for enthusiasts who want to overclock.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, total cores, form factor, market segment, smt enabled and unlocked multiplier included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 3 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 9 3950X or Intel Core i9-12900KS?
They cost within a few percent of each other, $739 versus $749 when we last looked.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and Intel Core i9-12900KS differ on performance cores?
Yes. Performance Cores reads 16 on the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X versus 8 on the Intel Core i9-12900KS.
Is the Memory Channels the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and Intel Core i9-12900KS?
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 i9-12900KS
- Core
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 3950X
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- i9-12900KS
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Matisse
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 2019
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 2022
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 105 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 150 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- None
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Zen 2, Ryzen 3000 Series "Matisse"
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- AM4
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- End of Life
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 16
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 16
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 16Best
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 0
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 8Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 32Best
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 24
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 3.5 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 3.4 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 4.7 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 5.2 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 8 MB-43%
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 14 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 64 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 30 MB-53%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 105 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 150 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 142 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 241 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- DDR4
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- DDR5 or DDR4Best
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 3200 MT/s
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 4800 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 2
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- No
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Yes
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 4
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 20
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 20
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- $749
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- $739
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Retail
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 353-5%
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 373Best
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 12900KS if you want the higher L2 cache (14 MB vs 8 MB) and the higher blender cycles (CPU) (373 vs 353).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i9-12900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $749.00 View on Consumercarts listing | |
| Amazon | $739.00 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 i9-12900KS
8.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-12900KS is an unlocked flagship desktop chip, a top pick for enthusiasts who want to overclock.