AMD Ryzen 5 9600X vs Intel Core i9-12900K
84.7Single-core72.2
52.5Multi-core70.4
66.6Gamingspec-based63.8
9 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 9600X8 spec wins — Intel Core i9-12900K
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i9-12900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 69.3 to 65.7, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+18). AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 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 72
- 100% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 128 GB
- 60% lower process: 4 nm vs 10 nm
- 48% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 125 W
- 40% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 28 vs 20
- Lower launch price: $279 vs $648
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-12900K
- Stronger multi-core score: 70 vs 53
- 174% higher Max turbo power: 241 W vs 88 W
- 167% higher cores: 16 vs 6
- 133% higher L2 cache: 14 MB vs 6 MB
- 100% higher threads: 24 vs 12
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2021 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1700 |
| Process | 4 nm+60% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W+48% | 125 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | 241 W+174% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 16+167% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 8+33% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 8 |
| Threads | 12 | 24+100% |
| Base clock | 3.9 GHz+22% | 3.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.4 GHz+4% | 5.2 GHz |
| L2 cache | 6 MB | 14 MB+133% |
| L3 cache | 32 MB+7% | 30 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 1,550 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+100% | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5 | 5 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+40% | 20 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | — | 2,715Top 32% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | — | 17,450Top 24% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,180+15%Top 13% | 1,903Top 30% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 17,176Top 35% | 26,229+53%Top 19% |
| PassMark | 30,047Top 40% | 41,103+37%Top 24% |
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