AMD Ryzen 9 7900X vs Intel Core i5-12600K

VS
Performance
Ryzen 9 7900X11% better
27,73175% of 36,991
Core i5-12600K
25,01768% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 7900X has 11% better performance than the Core i5-12600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Ryzen 9 7900X
50.5142% of 121.53
Core i5-12600K71% better
86.5671% of 121.53

The Core i5-12600K has 71% better value for the money than the Ryzen 9 7900X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Shop Ryzen 9 7900X
Shop Core i5-12600K
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Summary

#

About the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X CPU

The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is a 12-core (24-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q3 2022 with a suggested retail price of $549. It is part of AMD's Ryzen 9 lineup, which is based on the Zen 4 microarchitecture. The 7900X is compatible with AMD Socket AM5 motherboards and is fabricated on TSMC's 5 nm manufacturing process. It features the Radeon Graphics integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Ryzen 9 7900X supports DDR5 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Ryzen 9 7900X has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 1 MB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 64 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Ryzen 9 7900X features 12 total cores which can process 24 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 4.7 GHz, and it can boost up to 5.6 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Ryzen 9 7900X includes an integrated graphics solution called Radeon Graphics. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Ryzen 9 7900X has the 14th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 74.97% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 27,731 score and $549 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 50.51. This is the 47th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the Intel Core i5-12600K CPU

The Intel Core i5-12600K is a 10-core (16-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q4 2021 with a suggested retail price of $289. It is part of Intel's Core i5 lineup, which is based on the Alder Lake-S microarchitecture. The i5-12600K is compatible with Intel Socket 1700 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm manufacturing process. It features the UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i5-12600K supports DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i5-12600K has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 80 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 1.25 MB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 20 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i5-12600K features 10 total cores which can process 16 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The 10 cores consist of 6 P-Cores and 4 E-Cores. P-Cores are designed for high-performance tasks and E-Cores are intended for efficiency and lighter tasks. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.7 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.9 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i5-12600K includes an integrated graphics solution called UHD Graphics 770. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i5-12600K has the 26th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 67.63% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 25,017 score and $289 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 86.56. This is the 12th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoRyzen 9 7900XCore i5-12600K
ManufacturerAMDIntel
SeriesRyzen 9Core i5
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ3 2022Q4 2021
Launch Price (MSRP)$549$289
Production StatusActiveActive
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Ryzen 9 7900X11% better
27,73175% of 36,991
Core i5-12600K
25,01768% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 7900X has 11% better performance than the Core i5-12600K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Ryzen 9 7900X is ranked 14th with a score of 27,731, and the Core i5-12600K is ranked 26th with a score of 25,017.

Performance per dollar
Ryzen 9 7900X
50.5142% of 121.53
Core i5-12600K71% better
86.5671% of 121.53

The Core i5-12600K has 71% better value for the money than the Ryzen 9 7900X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Ryzen 9 7900X is ranked 47th with a performance per dollar of 50.51, and the Core i5-12600K is ranked 12th with a performance per dollar of 86.56.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Ryzen 9 7900X or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Ryzen 7 9700X30,757+11%
Core i5-13600K30,419+10%
Ryzen 9 7900X27,731
Ryzen 7 5800X3D27,236-2%
Core i7-1270027,022-3%
Ryzen 5 9600X25,717-7%
Ryzen 9 5950X25,154.5-9%
Core i5-12600K25,017-10%
Core i7-12700K24,947-10%
Core i9-1290024,314-12%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Ryzen 9 7900X or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Ryzen 7 770094.06+86%
Ryzen 5 9600X92.18+82%
Core i5-12600K86.56+71%
Ryzen 5 7600X86.06+70%
Ryzen 7 9700X85.67+70%
Ryzen 9 7950X3D52.92+5%
Ryzen 7 5800X52.79+5%
Ryzen 9 7900X50.51
Ryzen 9 7950X50.42-0%
Core i9-1290046.85-7%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkRyzen 9 7900XCore i5-12600K
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
27,731
(+10.85%)
25,017
3DMark Time Spy CPU
15,959.5
(+15.07%)
13,869
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
4,820.5
(+88.67%)
2,555
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
323
(+17.45%)
275
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
17,964
(+51.52%)
11,856
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
2,957
(+19.33%)
2,478
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
51,843
(+86.95%)
27,731
CPU Mark Single-Thread
4,264
(+7.92%)
3,951
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

#

Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecRyzen 9 7900XCore i5-12600K
ManufacturerAMDIntel
FoundryTSMCIntel
Process Size5 nm10 nm
Transistors13,140 million--

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecRyzen 9 7900XCore i5-12600K
SeriesRyzen 9Core i5
MicroarchitectureZen 4Alder Lake-S
CodenameRaphaelAlder Lake-S
Memory SupportDDR5DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryYesNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecRyzen 9 7900XCore i5-12600K
Cores1210
Threads2416
Performance Cores (P-cores)--6
Efficient Cores (E-cores)--4
Clock Speed4.7 GHz3.7 GHz
Turbo Clock5.6 GHz4.9 GHz
P-core Clock--3.7 GHz
P-core Turbo Clock--4.9 GHz
E-core Clock Speed--2.8 GHz
E-core Turbo Clock--3.6 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier47.0x37.0x
Multiplier UnlockedYesYes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecRyzen 9 7900XCore i5-12600K
L1 Cache64 KB80 KB
L2 Cache1 MB1.25 MB
L3 Cache64 MB20 MB
E-core L1 Cache--96 KB
E-core L2 Cache--2 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecRyzen 9 7900XCore i5-12600K
SocketAMD Socket AM5Intel Socket 1700
PCI ExpressPCIe 5.0 x24PCIe 4.0 x20
Thermal Design Power (TDP)170 W125 W
Power Limit 1 (PL1)--150 W
Power Limit 2 (PL2)--150 W
Package Power Tracking (PPT)230 W--
Tcase Max47 °C72 °C
TJ Max100 °C100 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecRyzen 9 7900XCore i5-12600K
Integrated GraphicsRadeon GraphicsUHD Graphics 770
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES, AVX, AVX2, AVX-512, BMI1, BMI2, SHA, F16C, FMA3, AMD64, EVP, AMD-V, SMAP, SMEP, SMT, Precision Boost 2, XFR 2MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, SHA, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, AES-NI, TSX, TXT, CLMUL, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, ABM, ADX, RdRand, TBT 2.0

Check out these comparisons for similar CPUs:

Looking for alternatives? Check out these similar CPUs:

* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.