AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core i5-12600K
90.1Single-core65.2
83.6Multi-core50.8
84.6Gamingspec-based52.1
16 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9900X1 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 85.8 to 55.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+33) and single-core (+25). 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 9900X
- Stronger single-core score: 90 vs 65
- Stronger multi-core score: 84 vs 51
- 220% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 20 MB
- 102% higher PassMark: 55,500 vs 27,501
- 100% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 6
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12600K
- Lower launch price: $318 vs $499
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2021 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1700 |
| Process | 4 nm+60% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | 120 W+4% | 125 W |
| Max turbo power | 162 W+8% | 150 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+20% | 10 |
| Performance cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 4 |
| Threads | 24+50% | 16 |
| Base clock | 4.4 GHz+19% | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.6 GHz+14% | 4.9 GHz |
| L2 cache | 12 MB+26% | 10 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+220% | 20 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 1,450 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 192 GB+50% | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5 | 5 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+40% | 20 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,300Top 6% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 19,800Top 15% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,230+23%Top 11% | 1,809Top 38% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 32,000+90%Top 14% | 16,878Top 37% |
| PassMark | 55,500+102%Top 13% | 27,501Top 47% |
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