How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X scores 42.8/100 overall; Intel Core i5-12600KF scores 56.6/100. AMD Ryzen 5 3600X wins 6 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-12600KF wins 13.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X and the Intel Core i5-12600KF?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X advantages: 60% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 20 MB; 30% lower process: 7 nm vs 10 nm; 24% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 125 W; 20% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 20; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't. Intel Core i5-12600KF advantages: Stronger single-core score: 67 vs 37; Stronger multi-core score: 52 vs 37; 217% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 3 MB; 78% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 17,300 vs 9,700; 74% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 12,500 vs 7,200.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X or Intel Core i5-12600KF?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X launched cheaper at $249, versus $264 for the Intel Core i5-12600KF.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X vs Intel Core i5-12600KF

AMD

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X

$249

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-12600KF

$264

36.5Single-core66.5

37.4Multi-core52.4

60.3Gamingspec-based52.1

6 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 3600X13 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600KF

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i5-12600KF wins this desktop processor face-off, 56.6 to 42.8, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+30) and multi-core (+15). AMD Ryzen 5 3600X still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X

60% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 20 MB
30% lower process: 7 nm vs 10 nm
24% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 125 W
20% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 20
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12600KF

Stronger single-core score: 67 vs 37
Stronger multi-core score: 52 vs 37
217% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 3 MB
78% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 17,300 vs 9,700
74% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 12,500 vs 7,200

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i5-12600KF
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i5-12600KF
Announced	2019	2021
Socket	AM4	LGA1700
Process	7 nm+30%	10 nm
Base TDP	95 W+24%	125 W
Max turbo power	128 W	150 W+17%
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i5-12600KF
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i5-12600KF
Cores	6	10+67%
Performance cores	6	6
Efficiency cores	0	4
Threads	12	16+33%
Base clock	3.8 GHz+3%	3.7 GHz
Boost clock	4.4 GHz	4.9 GHz+11%
L2 cache	3 MB	10 MB+217%
L3 cache	32 MB+60%	20 MB

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i5-12600KF
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i5-12600KF
Memory support	DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i5-12600KF
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i5-12600KF
PCIe version	4	5+25%
CPU PCIe lanes	24+20%	20

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i5-12600KF
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i5-12600KF
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,490Bottom 27%	2,400+61%Top 42%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	7,200Bottom 39%	12,500+74%Top 42%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,290Bottom 32%	1,900+47%Top 33%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	9,700Bottom 34%	17,300+78%Top 34%
PassMark	18,400Bottom 32%	27,300+48%Top 48%

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