How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X scores 65.7/100 overall; Intel Core i5-12600KF scores 56.6/100. AMD Ryzen 5 9600X wins 10 individual spec rows, Intel Core i5-12600KF wins 6.

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

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X advantages: Stronger single-core score: 85 vs 67; 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. Intel Core i5-12600KF 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 i5-12600KF?

Intel Core i5-12600KF launched cheaper at $264, versus $279 for the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X.

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

WINNER

AMD

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X

$279

Intel

Intel Core i5-12600KF

$264

84.7Single-core66.5

52.5Multi-core52.4

66.6Gamingspec-based52.1

10 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 9600X6 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600KF

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X wins this desktop processor face-off, 65.7 to 56.6, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+18) and multi-core (+0). Intel Core i5-12600KF 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 67
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

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12600KF

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 i5-12600KF
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 9600X	Intel Core i5-12600KF
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 i5-12600KF
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 9600X	Intel Core i5-12600KF
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 i5-12600KF
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 9600X	Intel Core i5-12600KF
iGPU	AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2)	—
iGPU clock	2,200 MHz	—

Memory

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

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X versus Intel Core i5-12600KF
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 9600X	Intel Core i5-12600KF
Geekbench 6 (single)	—	2,400Top 41%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	—	12,500Top 41%
Cinebench R23 (single)	2,180+15%Top 13%	1,900Top 31%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	17,176Top 35%	17,300+1%Top 34%
PassMark	30,047+10%Top 40%	27,300Top 48%

Related comparisons

AMD Ryzen 5 9600Xvs AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3DVS AMD Ryzen 5 9600Xvs AMD Ryzen 5 9500FVS AMD Ryzen 5 9600Xvs Intel Core i5-13600KVS AMD Ryzen 5 9600Xvs AMD Ryzen 7 7700XVS Intel Core i5-12600KFvs AMD Ryzen 7 8700GVS Intel Core i5-12600KFvs Intel Core i5-12600KVS Intel Core i5-12600KFvs AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3DVS Intel Core i5-12600KFvs AMD Ryzen 9 3900XVS

Try another matchup

Device oneDevice two