How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X scores 65.7/100 overall; Intel Core i5-12600K scores 55.4/100. AMD Ryzen 5 9600X wins 11 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-12600K wins 5.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X and the Intel Core i5-12600K?

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X advantages: Stronger single-core score: 85 vs 65; 100% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 128 GB; 60% lower process: 4 nm vs 10 nm; 60% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 20 MB; 48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W; Lower launch price: $279 vs $318. Intel Core i5-12600K advantages: 70% higher Max turbo power: 150 W vs 88 W; 67% higher cores: 10 vs 6; 58% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 6 MB; 33% higher threads: 16 vs 12.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X or Intel Core i5-12600K?

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X launched cheaper at $279, versus $318 for the Intel Core i5-12600K.

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X vs Intel Core i5-12600K

WINNER

AMD

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X

$279

Intel

Intel Core i5-12600K

$318

84.7Single-core65.2

52.5Multi-core50.8

66.6Gamingspec-based52.1

11 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 9600X5 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600K

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X wins this desktop processor face-off, 65.7 to 55.4, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+20) and multi-core (+2). Intel Core i5-12600K 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 9600X

Stronger single-core score: 85 vs 65
100% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 128 GB
60% lower process: 4 nm vs 10 nm
60% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 20 MB
48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W
Lower launch price: $279 vs $318

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12600K

70% higher Max turbo power: 150 W vs 88 W
67% higher cores: 10 vs 6
58% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 6 MB
33% higher threads: 16 vs 12

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 9600X	Intel Core i5-12600K
Announced	2024	2021
Socket	AM5	LGA1700
Process	4 nm+60%	10 nm
Base TDP	65 W+48%	125 W
Max turbo power	88 W	150 W+70%
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes
Cooler included	No	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 9600X	Intel Core i5-12600K
Cores	6	10+67%
Performance cores	6	6
Efficiency cores	0	4
Threads	12	16+33%
Base clock	3.9 GHz+5%	3.7 GHz
Boost clock	5.4 GHz+10%	4.9 GHz
L2 cache	6 MB	10 MB+58%
L3 cache	32 MB+60%	20 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 9600X	Intel Core i5-12600K
iGPU	AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2)	Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU clock	2,200 MHz	1,450 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 9600X	Intel Core i5-12600K
Memory support	DDR5-5600	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	256 GB+100%	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 9600X	Intel Core i5-12600K
PCIe version	5	5
CPU PCIe lanes	28+40%	20

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X versus Intel Core i5-12600K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 9600X	Intel Core i5-12600K
Cinebench R23 (single)	2,180+21%Top 13%	1,809Top 38%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	17,176+2%Top 35%	16,878Top 37%
PassMark	30,047+9%Top 40%	27,501Top 47%

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