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AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core i9-12900: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core i9-12900 l3 cache compared
Start with l3 cache, because it is the widest measured gap between them: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X 64 MB against Intel Core i9-12900 30 MB, 53% in favour of AMD Ryzen 9 9900X. They differ on socket status too, Current on the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X versus Mature on the Intel Core i9-12900.
Who each one is for
Take the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X for gaming and content-creation desktop builds wanting genuine 12-core Zen 5 throughput without the flagship 9950X's price. It is the wrong buy for buyers needing the absolute highest core count, the 16-core 9950X offers meaningfully more for heavy rendering workloads. The Intel Core i9-12900 is the one to take for desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X (8.5/10): the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X gives 12 fast Zen 5 cores for rendering and code builds at a lower price than the 16-core flagship. Our rating of the Intel Core i9-12900 (8.2/10): the Intel Core i9-12900 is a mainstream desktop processor, a solid all-rounder for gaming and productivity builds.
What AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and Intel Core i9-12900 have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, total threads, integrated graphics, form factor, market segment and smt enabled included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 4 further specifications as well.
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core i9-12900 price
Price will not decide this: $489 against $499 at the last check.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and Intel Core i9-12900 differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 12 on the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X versus 16 on the Intel Core i9-12900.
Is the Memory Channels the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and Intel Core i9-12900?
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 9900X
- Ryzen 9
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Core
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 9900X
- Intel Core i9-12900
- i9-12900
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Granite Ridge
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 2024
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2022
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 120 W
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 65 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Zen 5, Ryzen 9000 Series
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- AM5
- Intel Core i9-12900
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Current
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 4 nm
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 12
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 16Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 12Best
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 0
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 8Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 24
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 24
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 4.4 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2.4 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 5.6 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 5 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900
- No
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 12 MB-14%
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 14 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 64 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 30 MB-53%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 120 W
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 65 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 162 W
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 202 W
Bundled Cooler
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- None
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Intel Laminar RM1
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- DDR5-5600
- Intel Core i9-12900
- DDR5 or DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 5600 MT/sBest
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 4800 MT/s
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 2
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 256 GBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Yes
iGPU Model
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU Compute Units
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 2
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 32
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- No
- Intel Core i9-12900
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i9-12900
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 24
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 20-17%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- $499
- Intel Core i9-12900
- $489
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 9900X 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 12900 if you want the higher L2 cache (14 MB vs 12 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i9-12900 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $499.00 View on Amazon | $489.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| Best Buy | View on Best Buy |
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 9900X
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X gives 12 fast Zen 5 cores for rendering and code builds at a lower price than the 16-core flagship.
Intel Core i9-12900
8.2 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-12900 is a mainstream desktop processor, a solid all-rounder for gaming and productivity builds.