Intel Core i9-12900K vs AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i9-12900K or Intel Core i9-12900K – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i9-12900K features 16 processor cores and has the capability to manage 24 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2021 and belongs to the 12 generation of the Intel Core i9 series.
To use the Intel Core i9-12900K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1700 socket.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X features 12 processor cores and has the capability to manage 24 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2020 and belongs to the 4 generation of the AMD Ryzen 9 series.
To use the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, you'll need a motherboard with a AM4 (PGA 1331) socket.
Intel Core i 12000 Group AMD Ryzen 5000
12 Generation 4
Intel Core i9-12900K Name AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9 Family AMD Ryzen 9
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i9-12900K has 16 CPU cores and can calculate 24 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the A-Core is 3.2 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
Processors with hybrid (big.LITTLE) architecture strike a balance between performance and power efficiency, making them ideal for mobile devices.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X has 12 CPU cores and can calculate 24 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is 3.7 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.8 GHz.
2.4 GHz B-Core Frequency None
None None 4.8 GHz
5.2 GHz A-Core Frequency Turbo None
None None 12x
hybrid (big.LITTLE) Core architecture normal
8x Golden Cove Cores A None
16 CPU Cores 12
Yes Overclocking Yes
None None 3.7 GHz
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
3.9 GHz B-Core Frequency Turbo None
3.2 GHz A-Core Frequency None
8x Gracemont Cores B None
24 Threads 24
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i9-12900K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i9-12900K uses the Intel UHD Graphics 770, which has 256 texture shaders
and 32 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X does not have integrated graphics.
1.55 GHz GPU (Turbo) --
10 nm Technology --
12 Direct X --
64.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
32 Execution units --
Q4/2021 Release date --
Intel UHD Graphics 770 GPU name
256 Shaders --
0.3 GHz GPU frequency --
11 Generation --
-- Max. displays --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
Decode / Encode VP9 --
Decode / Encode VP8 --
Decode VC-1 --
Decode / Encode JPEG --
Decode / Encode h264 --
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
Decode / Encode AVC --
Decode AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800 Memory type DDR4-3200
76.8 GB/s Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s
Yes AES-NI Yes
Yes ECC Yes
pci PCIe pci
128.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
2 Memory channels 2
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 125 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 105 W watts.
241 W TDP (PL2) 142 W
125 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 105 W
100 °C Tjunction max 90 °C
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i9-12900K is manufactured using a 10 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 30.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured using a 7 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 64.0 MB cache.
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization AMD-V, SVM
10 nm Technology 7 nm
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+ ISA extensions SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, FMA3, AVX2
BX8071512900K Part Number --
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
Q4/2021 Release date Q4/2020
589 $ Release price 549 $
14.0 MB L2-Cache 6.0 MB
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
30.0 MB L3-Cache 64.0 MB
LGA 1700 Socket AM4 (PGA 1331)
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
Alder Lake S Architecture Vermeer (Zen 3)
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
40902
40902
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
39295
39295

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
27472
27472
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
21878
21878

V-Ray CPU-Render Benchmark

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
17845
17845
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
16240
16240

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
17595
17595
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
14515
14515

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
16244
16244
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
12637
12637

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
11365
11365
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
9520
9520

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
10511
10511
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
8491
8491

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
4111
4111
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
3684
3684

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
2560
2560
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
2199
2199

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
1997
1997
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
1636
1636

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
1990
1990
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
1727
1727

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
817
817
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
647
647

Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
779
779
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
637
637

Blender 3.1 Benchmark

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
364
364
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
308
308

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900K
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
294
294
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
12C 24T @ 3.7 GHz
270
270