AMD Ryzen 5 3600X vs Intel Core i9-12900K
36.5Single-core72.2
37.4Multi-core70.4
60.3Gamingspec-based63.8
6 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 3600X14 spec wins — Intel Core i9-12900K
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i9-12900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 69.3 to 42.8, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+36) and multi-core (+33). 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
- 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
- 19% higher Base clock: 3.8 GHz vs 3.2 GHz
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $249 vs $648
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-12900K
- Stronger single-core score: 72 vs 37
- Stronger multi-core score: 70 vs 37
- 367% higher L2 cache: 14 MB vs 3 MB
- 170% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 26,229 vs 9,700
- 167% higher cores: 16 vs 6
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019 | 2021 |
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1700 |
| Process | 7 nm+30% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | 95 W+24% | 125 W |
| Max turbo power | 128 W | 241 W+88% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 16+167% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 8 |
| Threads | 12 | 24+100% |
| Base clock | 3.8 GHz+19% | 3.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.4 GHz | 5.2 GHz+18% |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 14 MB+367% |
| L3 cache | 32 MB+7% | 30 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,550 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-3200 | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 4 | 5+25% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24+20% | 20 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,490Bottom 28% | 2,715+82%Top 32% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 7,200Bottom 40% | 17,450+142%Top 24% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,290Bottom 33% | 1,903+48%Top 30% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 9,700Bottom 35% | 26,229+170%Top 19% |
| PassMark | 18,400Bottom 32% | 41,103+123%Top 24% |
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