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AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i7-12700K: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i7-12700K l3 cache compared
On l3 cache the spread is 61%, AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 64 MB against Intel Core i7-12700K 25 MB, so AMD Ryzen 9 5900X takes it. Blender Cycles (CPU) backs the spec sheet up. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X scores 306 to 286 over 299 runs, 7% clear. L2 cache runs the same way, 6 MB on the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X versus 12 MB on the Intel Core i7-12700K, another win for Intel Core i7-12700K. There is a split on integrated graphics as well, No on the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X versus Yes on the Intel Core i7-12700K.
Who each one is for
Take the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X for buyers wanting a genuinely balanced high-end desktop chip strong at both gaming and heavy productivity work. It is the wrong buy for buyers who need integrated graphics, this chip requires a discrete GPU. The Intel Core i7-12700K is the one to take for enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the Intel Core i7-12700K (7.9/10): the Intel Core i7-12700K is an unlocked overclockable chip, well suited to enthusiast gaming and productivity builds.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 9 5900X or Intel Core i7-12700K?
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X asks 34% more, $549 against $409 for the Intel Core i7-12700K.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Total cores, form factor, market segment, smt enabled and unlocked multiplier 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 9 5900X and Intel Core i7-12700K differ on performance cores?
Yes. Performance Cores reads 12 on the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X versus 8 on the Intel Core i7-12700K.
Is the Memory Channels the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X and Intel Core i7-12700K?
It is. Both are listed at 2, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 9 5900X or Intel Core i7-12700K?
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X asks 34% more, $549 against $409 for the Intel Core i7-12700K.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- Ryzen 9
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Core
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 5900X
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- i7-12700K
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- Vermeer
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 2020
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 2021
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 105 W
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 125 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- None
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- Zen 3, Ryzen 5000 Series
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- AM4
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- End of Life
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 12
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 12
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 12Best
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 0
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 4Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 24Best
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 20
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- Yes
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 3.7 GHz
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 3.6 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 4.8 GHz
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 4.9 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- Yes
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 6 MB-50%
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 12 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 64 MBBest
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 25 MB-61%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 105 W
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 142 W
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 190 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- DDR4
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- DDR5 or DDR4Best
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 3200 MT/s
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 4800 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 2
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- No
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Yes
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- No
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- PCIe 4.0
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 24
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 20-17%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- $549
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- $409
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
- 306Best
- Intel Core i7-12700K
- 286-7%
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 5900X if you want the higher L3 cache (64 MB vs 25 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (24 vs 20).
Choose 12700K if you want the higher L2 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 5900X | Intel Core i7-12700K |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $549.00 View on Amazon | $409.00 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 i7-12700K
7.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i7-12700K is an unlocked overclockable chip, well suited to enthusiast gaming and productivity builds.