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AMD Ryzen 9 7900X vs Intel Core i9-12900KF: Comparison
What is the difference between AMD Ryzen 9 7900X and Intel Core i9-12900KF?
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X 64 MB against Intel Core i9-12900KF 30 MB, which puts AMD Ryzen 9 7900X 53% ahead. The benchmark result agrees. Blender Cycles (CPU) puts AMD Ryzen 9 7900X 16% ahead, 414 against 346 over 162 runs. They differ on integrated graphics too, Yes on the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus No on the Intel Core i9-12900KF. Socket is not the same on both, AM5 on the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus FCLGA1700 on the Intel Core i9-12900KF.
Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 9 7900X or Intel Core i9-12900KF?
The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is the one to take for enthusiast desktops and streaming and gaming, though it is not built for budget builds and small form factor low-power systems. The Intel Core i9-12900KF suits enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking with discrete GPU, though it is not the pick for systems without a discrete GPU and fanless designs. Our rating of the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (8.6/10): the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is a strong all-rounder for enthusiasts who want top clock speeds for both gaming and productivity. Our rating of the Intel Core i9-12900KF (7.8/10): the Intel Core i9-12900KF is an unlocked, GPU-less chip aimed at enthusiasts already running a discrete graphics card.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: total threads, form factor, market segment, smt enabled and unlocked multiplier are identical here. They match on 5 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 9 7900X or Intel Core i9-12900KF?
They cost within a few percent of each other, $549 versus $564 when we last looked.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X and Intel Core i9-12900KF differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 12 on the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus 16 on the Intel Core i9-12900KF.
Is the Memory Channels the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X and Intel Core i9-12900KF?
It is. Both are listed at 2, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Desktop
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- Raphael
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 2022
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 2021
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 170 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 125 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- None
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- Zen 4 (7000 series)
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- AM5
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- Current
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 5 nm
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 12
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 16Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 12Best
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 0
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 8Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 24
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 24
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 4.7 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 3.2 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 5.6 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 5.1 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 12 MB-14%
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 14 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 64 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 30 MB-53%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 170 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 230 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 241 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- DDR5
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- DDR5 or DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 5200 MT/sBest
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 4800 MT/s
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 2
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- No
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 24
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 20-17%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- $549
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- $564
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- 414Best
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 346-16%
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 7900X 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 12900KF if you want the higher L2 cache (14 MB vs 12 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 7900X | Intel Core i9-12900KF |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $549.00 View on Amazon | $564.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| Best Buy | View on Best Buy | |
| 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
AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
8.6 / 10 Expert Rating
The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is a strong all-rounder for enthusiasts who want top clock speeds for both gaming and productivity.
Intel Core i9-12900KF
7.8 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-12900KF is an unlocked, GPU-less chip aimed at enthusiasts already running a discrete graphics card.