How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X scores 79.7/100 overall; Intel Core i3-12100 scores 41/100. AMD Ryzen 9 7900X wins 16 individual spec rows, Intel Core i3-12100 wins 2.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X and the Intel Core i3-12100?

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X advantages: Stronger single-core score: 77 vs 55; Stronger multi-core score: 79 vs 34; 433% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 12 MB; 275% higher PassMark: 52,500 vs 14,000; 233% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 29,000 vs 8,700. Intel Core i3-12100 advantages: 65% lower Base TDP: 60 W vs 170 W; Has Cooler included — the other doesn't; Lower launch price: $122 vs $549.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X or Intel Core i3-12100?

Intel Core i3-12100 launched cheaper at $122, versus $549 for the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X.

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X vs Intel Core i3-12100

WINNER

AMD

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X

$549

Intel

Intel Core i3-12100

$122

77.4Single-core55.3

78.5Multi-core34.2

84.6Gamingspec-based36

16 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 7900X2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-12100

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 79.7 to 41, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+44) and single-core (+22). Intel Core i3-12100 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 7900X

Stronger single-core score: 77 vs 55
Stronger multi-core score: 79 vs 34
433% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 12 MB
275% higher PassMark: 52,500 vs 14,000
233% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 29,000 vs 8,700

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-12100

65% lower Base TDP: 60 W vs 170 W
Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
Lower launch price: $122 vs $549

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Intel Core i3-12100
Announced	2022	2022
Socket	AM5	LGA1700
Process	5 nm+50%	10 nm
Base TDP	170 W	60 W+65%
Max turbo power	230 W+158%	89 W
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No
Cooler included	No	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Intel Core i3-12100
Cores	12+200%	4
Performance cores	12+200%	4
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	24+200%	8
Base clock	4.7 GHz+42%	3.3 GHz
Boost clock	5.6 GHz+30%	4.3 GHz
L2 cache	12 MB+140%	5 MB
L3 cache	64 MB+433%	12 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Intel Core i3-12100
iGPU	AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2)	Intel UHD Graphics 730
iGPU clock	2,200 MHz	1,400 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Intel Core i3-12100
Memory support	DDR5-5200	DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Intel Core i3-12100
PCIe version	5	5
CPU PCIe lanes	28+40%	20

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X versus Intel Core i3-12100
Spec	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X	Intel Core i3-12100
Geekbench 6 (single)	2,880+40%Top 27%	2,050Top 49%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	18,500+176%Top 18%	6,700Bottom 33%
Cinebench R23 (single)	2,000+19%Top 25%	1,680Top 47%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	29,000+233%Top 17%	8,700Bottom 29%
PassMark	52,500+275%Top 14%	14,000Bottom 24%

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