Core i9-12900K vs Ryzen 7 9800X3D: which is better

Intel Core i9-12900K (desktop, 2021) against AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (desktop, 2024): benchmarks, games, specs and current prices.

Key differences

Core i9-12900K is 3% faster in multi-threaded work (PassMark 41,095 vs 39,913).
Ryzen 7 9800X3D is 7% faster per core.
Core i9-12900K is $60 cheaper ($383 vs $443).
Core i9-12900K gives 19% more performance per dollar.
Ryzen 7 9800X3D has a lower TDP: 120 W vs 125 W.
Different sockets (LGA1700 and AM5): they need different motherboards.

Open the full duel

	Core i9-12900K	Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Overall score	57.0	55.4
PassMark CPU Mark	41,095	39,913
Single-thread rating	4,128	4,420
Games, 1080p, % of the best	no data	97.0%
US price	from $383	from $443
Cores	16 (8P + 8E)	8
Threads	24	16
Base clock	3.2 GHz	4.7 GHz
Max boost	5.2 GHz	5.2 GHz
L3 cache	30 MB	96 MB
TDP	125 W	120 W
Max power	241 W	162 W
Memory	DDR4 / DDR5	DDR5
Memory speed	4800 MT/s	5600 MT/s
PCI Express	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Socket	LGA1700	AM5
Process	10 nm (Intel 7)	4 nm (TSMC N4P)
Architecture	Alder Lake	Zen 5
Series	12th Gen Core	Ryzen 9000
Release year	2021	2024
Integrated graphics	UHD Graphics 770	Radeon (2 CU)

Other comparisons