Core i9-12900KF vs Ryzen 9 9900X: which is better

Intel Core i9-12900KF (desktop, 2021) against AMD Ryzen 9 9900X (desktop, 2024): benchmarks, games, specs and current prices.

Key differences

Ryzen 9 9900X is 34% faster in multi-threaded work (PassMark 54,286 vs 40,436).
Ryzen 9 9900X is 13% faster per core.
Core i9-12900KF is $23 cheaper ($305 vs $328).
Ryzen 9 9900X gives 25% more performance per dollar.
Ryzen 9 9900X has a lower TDP: 120 W vs 125 W.
Different sockets (LGA1700 and AM5): they need different motherboards.

Open the full duel

	Core i9-12900KF	Ryzen 9 9900X
Overall score	56.1	75.3
PassMark CPU Mark	40,436	54,286
Single-thread rating	4,117	4,670
Games, 1080p, % of the best	no data	73.9%
US price	from $305	from $328
Cores	16 (8P + 8E)	12
Threads	24	24
Base clock	3.2 GHz	4.4 GHz
Max boost	5.2 GHz	5.6 GHz
L3 cache	30 MB	64 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	none	Radeon (2 CU)

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