Intel Core i9-12900KF vs AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i9-12900KF or Intel Core i9-12900KF – 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 i9-12900KF 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 i9-12900KF, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1700 socket.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X features 16 processor cores and has the capability to manage 32 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 5950X, you'll need a motherboard with a AM4 (PGA 1331) socket.
Intel Core i 12000 Group AMD Ryzen 5000
12 Generation 4
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-12900KF Name AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
Intel Core i9 Family AMD Ryzen 9
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i9-12900KF 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 5950X has 16 CPU cores and can calculate 32 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is 3.4 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.9 GHz.
24 Threads 32
2.4 GHz B-Core Frequency None
None None 16x
16 CPU Cores 16
hybrid (big.LITTLE) Core architecture normal
8x Golden Cove Cores A None
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
3.2 GHz A-Core Frequency None
5.2 GHz A-Core Frequency Turbo None
Yes Overclocking Yes
8x Gracemont Cores B None
3.9 GHz B-Core Frequency Turbo None
None None 4.9 GHz
None None 3.4 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i9-12900KF does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X does not have integrated graphics.
-- Shaders --
-- Release date --
-- Technology --
-- Direct X --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units --
-- GPU frequency --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
GPU name
 
 

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.
-- VP8 --
-- VC-1 --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- AVC --
-- h264 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
 
 

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.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800 Memory type DDR4-3200
No ECC Yes
128.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
2 Memory channels 2
76.8 GB/s Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s
 
 

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 95 °C
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i9-12900KF 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 5950X is manufactured using a 7 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 64.0 MB cache.
Q4/2021 Release date Q4/2020
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization AMD-V, SVM
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+ ISA extensions SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, FMA3, AVX2
10 nm Technology 7 nm
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
564 $ Release price 799 $
Alder Lake S Architecture Vermeer (Zen 3)
30.0 MB L3-Cache 64.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
BX8071512900KF Part Number --
LGA 1700 Socket AM4 (PGA 1331)
14.0 MB L2-Cache 8.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
45910
45910
Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
41207
41207

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
28577
28577
Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
27472
27472

V-Ray CPU-Render Benchmark

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
21425
21425
Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
17845
17845

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
17595
17595
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
16606
16606

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
15986
15986
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
13214
13214

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
12265
12265
Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
11365
11365

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
10511
10511
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
10428
10428

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
4569
4569
Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
4111
4111

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
2664
2664
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
2215
2215

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
1997
1997
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
1644
1644

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
1990
1990
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
1759
1759

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
819
819
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
671
671

Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
779
779
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
647
647

Blender 3.1 Benchmark

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
461
461
Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
364
364

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.2 GHz
294
294
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.4 GHz
277
277