AMD Ryzen 7 9700X vs Intel Core i5-12600K
85.6Single-core65.2
62.4Multi-core50.8
67.2Gamingspec-based52.1
12 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 7 9700X4 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X wins this desktop processor face-off, 70.6 to 55.4, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+20) and multi-core (+12). 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 7 9700X
- Stronger single-core score: 86 vs 65
- Stronger multi-core score: 62 vs 51
- 60% lower process: 4 nm vs 10 nm
- 60% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 20 MB
- 50% higher Max memory: 192 GB vs 128 GB
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12600K
- 70% higher Max turbo power: 150 W vs 88 W
- 25% higher cores: 10 vs 8
- 19% higher L2 cache: 10 MB vs 8 MB
- Lower launch price: $318 vs $359
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | 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
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8 | 10+25% |
| Performance cores | 8+33% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 4 |
| Threads | 16 | 16 |
| Base clock | 3.8 GHz+3% | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.5 GHz+12% | 4.9 GHz |
| L2 cache | 8 MB | 10 MB+19% |
| L3 cache | 32 MB+60% | 20 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | 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
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 192 GB+50% | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5 | 5 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+40% | 20 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,150Top 11% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 16,500Top 25% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,150+19%Top 15% | 1,809Top 38% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 19,500+16%Top 28% | 16,878Top 37% |
| PassMark | 38,500+40%Top 28% | 27,501Top 47% |
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