AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i9-12900K
38.6Single-core72.2
64.6Multi-core70.4
79Gamingspec-based63.8
7 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 3950X11 spec wins — Intel Core i9-12900K
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i9-12900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 69.3 to 60.4, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+34) and multi-core (+6). AMD Ryzen 9 3950X 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 3950X
- 113% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 30 MB
- 100% higher Performance cores: 16 vs 8
- 33% higher threads: 32 vs 24
- 30% lower process: 7 nm vs 10 nm
- 20% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 20
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-12900K
- Stronger single-core score: 72 vs 39
- Stronger multi-core score: 70 vs 65
- 75% higher L2 cache: 14 MB vs 8 MB
- 73% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,715 vs 1,570
- 70% higher Max turbo power: 241 W vs 142 W
- Lower launch price: $648 vs $749
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | 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 | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 | 16 |
| Performance cores | 16+100% | 8 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 8 |
| Threads | 32+33% | 24 |
| Base clock | 3.5 GHz+9% | 3.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.7 GHz | 5.2 GHz+11% |
| L2 cache | 8 MB | 14 MB+75% |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+113% | 30 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,550 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-3200 | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 4 | 5+25% |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24+20% | 20 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i9-12900K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,570Bottom 37% | 2,715+73%Top 32% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 13,300Top 39% | 17,450+31%Top 24% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,320Bottom 36% | 1,903+44%Top 30% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,700Top 22% | 26,229+6%Top 19% |
| PassMark | 39,000Top 27% | 41,103+5%Top 24% |
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