AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs Intel Core i5-12400
93Single-core56.4
99Multi-core41.7
85.2Gaming46.5
19 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9950X2 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12400
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 93.7 to 47.3, pulling ahead mainly in Multi-core (+57) and gaming (+39). Intel Core i5-12400 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 9950X
- Stronger Single-core score: 93 vs 56
- Stronger Multi-core score: 99 vs 42
- Stronger gaming score: 85 vs 47
- 256% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 18 MB
- 253% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 42,000 vs 11,900
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12400
- 62% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 170 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $192 vs $649
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i5-12400 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2022 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1700 |
| Process | 4 nm+60% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | 170 W | 65 W+62% |
| Max turbo power | 230 W+97% | 117 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i5-12400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+167% | 6 |
| Performance cores | 16+167% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 32+167% | 12 |
| Base clock | 4.3 GHz+72% | 2.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.7 GHz+30% | 4.4 GHz |
| L2 cache | 16 MB+113% | 8 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+256% | 18 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i5-12400 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel UHD Graphics 730 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz+52% | 1,450 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i5-12400 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-4800 / DDR4-3200 |
| Max memory | 192 GB+50% | 128 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i5-12400 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5 | 5 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+40% | 20 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i5-12400 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,400+62%Top 2% | 2,100Top 32% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 23,000+145%Top 2% | 9,400Top 43% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,280+35%Top 3% | 1,690Top 33% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 42,000+253%Top 2% | 11,900Top 47% |
| PassMark | 66,500+238%Top 2% | 19,700Top 49% |
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