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AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Intel Core i9-12900KS: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Intel Core i9-12900KS: the l3 cache difference
L3 cache is where these two genuinely part company, AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 128 MB against Intel Core i9-12900KS 30 MB, a 77% lead for AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. They differ on socket too, AM5 on the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D versus FCLGA1700 on the Intel Core i9-12900KS. They differ on socket status too, Current on the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D versus Mature on the Intel Core i9-12900KS.
Who each one is for
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D suits high-refresh-rate gaming and flagship gaming builds, though it is not built for budget builds and non-gaming workstation loads. The Intel Core i9-12900KS is the one to take for enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is not the pick for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D (9.2/10): the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 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 i9-12900KS (8.7/10): the Intel Core i9-12900KS is an unlocked flagship desktop chip, a top pick for enthusiasts who want to overclock.
What AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Intel Core i9-12900KS have in common
Everything else lines up. Total cores, integrated graphics, form factor, market segment and smt enabled read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 6 further specifications as well.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Intel Core i9-12900KS price
The Intel Core i9-12900KS asks 6% more, $739 against $699 for the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Intel Core i9-12900KS differ on performance cores?
Yes. Performance Cores reads 16 on the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D versus 8 on the Intel Core i9-12900KS.
Is the Unlocked Multiplier the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Intel Core i9-12900KS?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D or Intel Core i9-12900KS?
The Intel Core i9-12900KS asks 6% more, $739 against $699 for the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Desktop
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Granite Ridge
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 2025
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 2022
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 170 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 150 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Zen 5 (9000 series)
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Alder Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- AM5
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Current
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Mature
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 4 nm
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 16
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 16
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 16Best
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 0
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 8Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 32Best
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 24
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 4.3 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 3.4 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 5.7 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 5.2 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 16 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 14 MB-12%
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 128 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 30 MB-77%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 170 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 150 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 230 W
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 241 W
Bundled Cooler
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- None
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- None
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- DDR5
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- DDR5 or DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 5600 MT/sBest
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 4800 MT/s
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 2
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 256 GBBest
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Yes
iGPU Model
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU Compute Units
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 2
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 32
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- No
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 24
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- 20-17%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- $699
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- $739
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 9950X3D 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 12900KS if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Intel Core i9-12900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $699.00 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
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
9.2 / 10 Expert Rating
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is one of the best gaming CPUs available, its huge L3 cache translating directly into higher in-game frame rates.
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.