AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs Intel Core i5-12600K
93Single-core65.2
99Multi-core50.8
85.2Gamingspec-based52.1
15 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9950X2 spec wins — Intel Core i5-12600K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 93.7 to 55.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+48) and single-core (+28). 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 9950X
- Stronger single-core score: 93 vs 65
- Stronger multi-core score: 99 vs 51
- 220% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 20 MB
- 167% higher Performance cores: 16 vs 6
- 149% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 42,000 vs 16,878
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-12600K
- 26% lower Base TDP: 125 W vs 170 W
- Lower launch price: $318 vs $649
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2021 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1700 |
| Process | 4 nm+60% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | 170 W | 125 W+26% |
| Max turbo power | 230 W+53% | 150 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+60% | 10 |
| Performance cores | 16+167% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 4 |
| Threads | 32+100% | 16 |
| Base clock | 4.3 GHz+16% | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.7 GHz+16% | 4.9 GHz |
| L2 cache | 16 MB+68% | 10 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+220% | 20 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | 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 9950X | 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 9950X | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5 | 5 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+40% | 20 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i5-12600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,400Top 2% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 23,000Top 2% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,280+26%Top 4% | 1,809Top 38% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 42,000+149%Top 5% | 16,878Top 37% |
| PassMark | 66,500+142%Top 4% | 27,501Top 47% |
Related comparisons
AMD Ryzen 9 9950Xvs AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual EditionVSAMD Ryzen 9 9950Xvs AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3DVSAMD Ryzen 9 9950Xvs Intel Core Ultra 7 270K PlusVSAMD Ryzen 9 9950Xvs Intel Core Ultra 9 285KVSIntel Core i5-12600Kvs AMD Ryzen 9 3900XVSIntel Core i5-12600Kvs AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3DVSIntel Core i5-12600Kvs AMD Ryzen 7 8700GVSIntel Core i5-12600Kvs Intel Core i5-12600KFVS