Core i9-12900K vs Ryzen 9 5950X: which is better

Intel Core i9-12900K (desktop, 2021) against AMD Ryzen 9 5950X (desktop, 2020): benchmarks, games, specs and current prices.

Key differences

Ryzen 9 5950X is 10% faster in multi-threaded work (PassMark 45,241 vs 41,095).
Core i9-12900K is 19% faster per core.
Core i9-12900K is $17 cheaper ($383 vs $400).
Ryzen 9 5950X gives 5% more performance per dollar.
Ryzen 9 5950X has a lower TDP: 105 W vs 125 W.
Different sockets (LGA1700 and AM4): they need different motherboards.

Open the full duel

	Core i9-12900K	Ryzen 9 5950X
Overall score	57.0	62.8
PassMark CPU Mark	41,095	45,241
Single-thread rating	4,128	3,477
US price	from $383	from $400
Cores	16 (8P + 8E)	16
Threads	24	32
Base clock	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz
Max boost	5.2 GHz	4.9 GHz
L3 cache	30 MB	64 MB
TDP	125 W	105 W
Max power	241 W	142 W
Memory	DDR4 / DDR5	DDR4
Memory speed	4800 MT/s	3200 MT/s
PCI Express	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 4.0
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
Process	10 nm (Intel 7)	7 nm (TSMC N7)
Architecture	Alder Lake	Zen 3
Series	12th Gen Core	Ryzen 5000
Release year	2021	2020
Integrated graphics	UHD Graphics 770	none

Other comparisons