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AMD Ryzen 9 5950X vs Intel Core i9-12900KS: Comparison
What is the difference between AMD Ryzen 9 5950X and Intel Core i9-12900KS?
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 64 MB against Intel Core i9-12900KS 30 MB, which puts AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 53% ahead. Blender Cycles (CPU) backs the spec sheet up. AMD Ryzen 9 5950X scores 391 to 373 over 490 runs, 5% clear. Add l2 cache to that, 8 MB on the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X versus 14 MB on the Intel Core i9-12900KS, and the pattern holds. There is a split on socket as well, AM4 on the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X versus FCLGA1700 on the Intel Core i9-12900KS.
Who each one is for
Take the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X for content creators and prosumers needing genuine 16-core throughput for video encoding, rendering, or compiling. The same goes for buyers wanting strong gaming performance alongside high-end multi-threaded capability in one chip. It is not the one for buyers who need integrated graphics, this chip requires a discrete GPU. The Intel Core i9-12900KS suits 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
The common ground is wider than the gap: total cores, p-core base clock, form factor, market segment and smt enabled are identical here. They match on 5 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 9 5950X or Intel Core i9-12900KS?
At the last price check the Intel Core i9-12900KS was $739 and the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X $799, a 8% premium.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X and Intel Core i9-12900KS differ on performance cores?
Yes. Performance Cores reads 16 on the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X versus 8 on the Intel Core i9-12900KS.
Is the Unlocked Multiplier the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X and Intel Core i9-12900KS?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- Ryzen 9
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Core
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 5950X
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- i9-12900KS
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- Vermeer
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 2020
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 2022
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 105 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 150 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- None
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- Zen 3, Ryzen 5000 Series
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- AM4
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- End of Life
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 16
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 16
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 16Best
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 0
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 8Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 32Best
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 24
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 3.4 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 3.4 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 4.9 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 5.2 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 8 MB-43%
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 14 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 64 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 30 MB-53%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 105 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 150 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 142 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 241 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- DDR4
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- DDR5 or DDR4Best
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 3200 MT/s
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 4800 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 2
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- No
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Yes
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- No
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- PCIe 4.0
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 24
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 20-17%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- $799
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- $739
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- 391Best
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 373-5%
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 5950X if you want the higher L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (24 vs 20).
Choose 12900KS if you want the higher L2 cache (14 MB vs 8 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 5950X | Intel Core i9-12900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $799.00 View on Amazon | $739.00 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
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.