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AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D vs Intel Core i9-12900KF: Comparison
What is the difference between AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Intel Core i9-12900KF?
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D 128 MB against Intel Core i9-12900KF 30 MB, which puts AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D 77% ahead. Measured rather than claimed: in Blender Cycles (CPU) the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D returns 540 against 346 over 211 runs, a 36% lead. They differ on socket too, AM5 on the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D versus FCLGA1700 on the Intel Core i9-12900KF.
Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D or Intel Core i9-12900KF?
The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is the one to take for high-refresh-rate gaming and flagship gaming builds, though it is not the pick for budget builds and non-gaming workstation loads. The Intel Core i9-12900KF suits enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking with discrete GPU, though it is the wrong buy for systems without a discrete GPU and fanless designs. Our rating of the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D (9.2/10): the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is one of the best gaming CPUs available, its huge L3 cache translating directly into higher in-game frame rates. 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
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 5 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D or Intel Core i9-12900KF?
The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D asks 24% more, $699 against $564 for the Intel Core i9-12900KF.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Intel Core i9-12900KF differ on performance cores?
Yes. Performance Cores reads 16 on the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D versus 8 on the Intel Core i9-12900KF.
Is the Memory Channels the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Intel Core i9-12900KF?
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 7950X3D or Intel Core i9-12900KF?
The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D asks 24% more, $699 against $564 for the Intel Core i9-12900KF.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Desktop
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Raphael
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 2023
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 2021
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 120 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 125 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- None
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Zen 4 (7000 series)
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- AM5
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Current
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 5 nm
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 16
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 16
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 16Best
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 0
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 8Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 32Best
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 24
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 4.2 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 3.2 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 5.7 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 5.1 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 16 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 14 MB-12%
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 128 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 30 MB-77%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 120 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 162 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 241 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- DDR5
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- DDR5 or DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 5200 MT/sBest
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 4800 MT/s
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 2
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- No
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 24
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 20-17%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- $699
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- $564
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- 540Best
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 346-36%
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 7950X3D if you want the higher L2 cache (16 MB vs 14 MB), the higher L3 cache (128 MB vs 30 MB) and the higher memory channels (2 vs 2).
Choose 12900KF if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D | Intel Core i9-12900KF |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $699.00 View on Amazon | $564.00 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
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
9.2 / 10 Expert Rating
The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is one of the best gaming CPUs available, its huge L3 cache translating directly into higher in-game frame rates.
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.