How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X scores 55.3/100 overall; Intel Core i9-12900K scores 69.3/100. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X wins 7 individual spec rows, Intel Core i9-12900K wins 12.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and the Intel Core i9-12900K?

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X advantages: 113% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 30 MB; 50% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 8; 30% lower process: 7 nm vs 10 nm; 20% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 20; 19% higher Base clock: 3.8 GHz vs 3.2 GHz; Lower launch price: $499 vs $648. Intel Core i9-12900K advantages: Stronger single-core score: 72 vs 38; Stronger multi-core score: 70 vs 54; 133% higher L2 cache: 14 MB vs 6 MB; 76% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,715 vs 1,540; 70% higher Max turbo power: 241 W vs 142 W.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X or Intel Core i9-12900K?

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X launched cheaper at $499, versus $648 for the Intel Core i9-12900K.

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel Core i9-12900K

AMD

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

$499

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i9-12900K

$648

37.6Single-core72.2

54.2Multi-core70.4

78.3Gamingspec-based63.8

7 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 3900X12 spec wins — Intel Core i9-12900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i9-12900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 69.3 to 55.3, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+35) and multi-core (+16). AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 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 9 3900X

113% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 30 MB
50% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 8
30% lower process: 7 nm vs 10 nm
20% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 20
19% higher Base clock: 3.8 GHz vs 3.2 GHz
Lower launch price: $499 vs $648

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-12900K

Stronger single-core score: 72 vs 38
Stronger multi-core score: 70 vs 54
133% higher L2 cache: 14 MB vs 6 MB
76% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,715 vs 1,540
70% higher Max turbo power: 241 W vs 142 W

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i9-12900K
Announced	2019	2021
Socket	AM4	LGA1700
Process	7 nm+30%	10 nm
Base TDP	105 W+16%	125 W
Max turbo power	142 W	241 W+70%
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i9-12900K
Cores	12	16+33%
Performance cores	12+50%	8
Efficiency cores	0	8
Threads	24	24
Base clock	3.8 GHz+19%	3.2 GHz
Boost clock	4.6 GHz	5.2 GHz+13%
L2 cache	6 MB	14 MB+133%
L3 cache	64 MB+113%	30 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i9-12900K
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU clock	—	1,550 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i9-12900K
Memory support	DDR4-3200	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i9-12900K
PCIe version	4	5+25%
CPU PCIe lanes	24+20%	20

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Intel Core i9-12900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	Intel Core i9-12900K
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,540Bottom 33%	2,715+76%Top 32%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	11,000Top 46%	17,450+59%Top 24%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,300Bottom 34%	1,903+46%Top 30%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	18,300Top 31%	26,229+43%Top 19%
PassMark	32,600Top 37%	41,103+26%Top 24%

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