AMD Ryzen 9 7900 vs Intel Core i5-12600K
78.6Single-core65.2
70.5Multi-core50.8
83.3Gamingspec-based52.1
13 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 79001 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 7900 wins this desktop processor face-off, 76.1 to 55.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+20) and single-core (+13). 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 9 7900
- Stronger single-core score: 79 vs 65
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 51
- 220% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 20 MB
- 100% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 6
- 75% higher PassMark: 48,013 vs 27,501
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12600K
- Lower launch price: $318 vs $429
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900 | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2021 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1700 |
| Process | 5 nm+50% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | 65 W+48% | 125 W |
| Max turbo power | — | 150 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900 | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+20% | 10 |
| Performance cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 4 |
| Threads | 24+50% | 16 |
| Base clock | 3.7 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.4 GHz+10% | 4.9 GHz |
| L2 cache | 12 MB+26% | 10 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+220% | 20 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900 | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 1,450 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900 | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5200 | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900 | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5 | 5 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+40% | 20 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 7900 | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,990Top 19% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 15,725Top 28% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,966+9%Top 26% | 1,809Top 38% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,776+47%Top 21% | 16,878Top 37% |
| PassMark | 48,013+75%Top 20% | 27,501Top 47% |
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