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AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core i3-12100

WINNER
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
85.8Inno Score
VS
Intel Core i3-12100
41Inno Score
90.1Single-core55.3
83.6Multi-core34.2
84.6Gamingspec-based36
18 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9900X2 spec wins — Intel Core i3-12100

InnoReviews verdict

AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 85.8 to 41, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+49) and single-core (+35). 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 9900X

  • Stronger single-core score: 90 vs 55
  • Stronger multi-core score: 84 vs 34
  • 433% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 12 MB
  • 296% higher PassMark: 55,500 vs 14,000
  • 268% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 32,000 vs 8,700

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-12100

  • 50% lower Base TDP: 60 W vs 120 W
  • Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
  • Lower launch price: $122 vs $499

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X versus Intel Core i3-12100
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 9900XIntel Core i3-12100
Announced20242022
SocketAM5LGA1700
Process4 nm+60%10 nm
Base TDP120 W60 W+50%
Max turbo power162 W+82%89 W
Unlocked multiplierYesNo
Cooler includedNoYes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X versus Intel Core i3-12100
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 9900XIntel Core i3-12100
Cores12+200%4
Performance cores12+200%4
Efficiency cores00
Threads24+200%8
Base clock4.4 GHz+33%3.3 GHz
Boost clock5.6 GHz+30%4.3 GHz
L2 cache12 MB+140%5 MB
L3 cache64 MB+433%12 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X versus Intel Core i3-12100
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 9900XIntel Core i3-12100
iGPUAMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2)Intel UHD Graphics 730
iGPU clock2,200 MHz1,400 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X versus Intel Core i3-12100
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 9900XIntel Core i3-12100
Memory supportDDR5-5600DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200
Max memory192 GB+50%128 GB
Memory channels22

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X versus Intel Core i3-12100
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 9900XIntel Core i3-12100
PCIe version55
CPU PCIe lanes28+40%20

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X versus Intel Core i3-12100
SpecAMD Ryzen 9 9900XIntel Core i3-12100
Geekbench 6 (single)3,300+61%Top 7%2,050Top 49%
Geekbench 6 (multi)19,800+196%Top 15%6,700Bottom 33%
Cinebench R23 (single)2,230+33%Top 11%1,680Top 47%
Cinebench R23 (multi)32,000+268%Top 14%8,700Bottom 29%
PassMark55,500+296%Top 13%14,000Bottom 24%

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