Intel Core i9-12900 vs AMD Ryzen 9 3900

VS
Performance
Core i9-1290045% better
24,31466% of 36,991
Ryzen 9 3900
16,80345% of 36,991

The Core i9-12900 has 45% better performance than the Ryzen 9 3900 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i9-1290039% better
46.8539% of 121.53
Ryzen 9 3900
33.6728% of 121.53

The Core i9-12900 has 39% better value for the money than the Ryzen 9 3900 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

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About the Intel Core i9-12900 CPU

The Intel Core i9-12900 is a 16-core (24-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q1 2022 with a suggested retail price of $519. It is part of Intel's Core i9 lineup, which is based on the Alder Lake-S microarchitecture. The i9-12900 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 i9-12900 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 i9-12900 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 30 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i9-12900 features 16 total cores which can process 24 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The 16 cores consist of 8 P-Cores and 8 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 2.4 GHz, and it can boost up to 5.1 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 i9-12900 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 i9-12900 has the 29th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 65.73% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 24,314 score and $519 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 46.85. This is the 56th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 CPU

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 is a 12-core (24-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q3 2019 with a suggested retail price of $499. It is part of AMD's Ryzen 9 lineup, which is based on the Zen 2 microarchitecture. The 3900 is compatible with AMD Socket AM4 motherboards and is fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Ryzen 9 3900 supports DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Ryzen 9 3900 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 512 KB, 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 3900 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 3.1 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.3 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 3900 does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Ryzen 9 3900 has the 107th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 45.42% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 16,803 score and $499 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 33.67. This is the 108th 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.

InfoCore i9-12900Ryzen 9 3900
ManufacturerIntelAMD
SeriesCore i9Ryzen 9
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ1 2022Q3 2019
Launch Price (MSRP)$519$499
Production StatusActiveActive
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i9-1290045% better
24,31466% of 36,991
Ryzen 9 3900
16,80345% of 36,991

The Core i9-12900 has 45% better performance than the Ryzen 9 3900 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i9-12900 is ranked 29th with a score of 24,314, and the Ryzen 9 3900 is ranked 107th with a score of 16,803.

Performance per dollar
Core i9-1290039% better
46.8539% of 121.53
Ryzen 9 3900
33.6728% of 121.53

The Core i9-12900 has 39% better value for the money than the Ryzen 9 3900 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i9-12900 is ranked 56th with a performance per dollar of 46.85, and the Ryzen 9 3900 is ranked 108th with a performance per dollar of 33.67.

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:Core i9-12900 or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i5-12600K25,017+3%
Core i7-12700K24,947+3%
Core i9-1290024,314
Ryzen 5 760023,854-2%
Core i5-13400F23,820-2%
Core i7-11700K17,324-29%
Core i9-9900K17,264-29%
Ryzen 9 390016,803-31%
Ryzen 5 5600G16,538-32%
Core i7-6950X16,403-33%

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:Core i9-12900 or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Ryzen 9 7900X50.51+8%
Ryzen 9 7950X50.42+8%
Core i9-1290046.85
Core i9-12900K43.78-7%
Core i9-10900K40.1-14%
Core i9-9900KS36.44-22%
Core i9-9900K35.38-24%
Ryzen 9 390033.67-28%
Core i9-11900KB33.03-29%
Ryzen 9 3950X28.06-40%

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
BenchmarkCore i9-12900Ryzen 9 3900
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
24,314
(+44.7%)
16,803
3DMark Time Spy CPU
15,095
(+40.75%)
10,725
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
3,299
(+17.65%)
2,804
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
262
(+32.99%)
197
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
13,356
(+40.19%)
9,527
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
2,537
(+53.57%)
1,652
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
34,297
(+11.27%)
30,822
CPU Mark Single-Thread
4,048
(+54.56%)
2,619
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

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Manufacturing Details

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

SpecCore i9-12900Ryzen 9 3900
ManufacturerIntelAMD
FoundryIntelTSMC
Process Size10 nm7 nm
Transistors--7,600 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.

SpecCore i9-12900Ryzen 9 3900
SeriesCore i9Ryzen 9
MicroarchitectureAlder Lake-SZen 2
CodenameAlder Lake-SMatisse
Memory SupportDDR4-3200, DDR5-4800DDR4
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

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.

SpecCore i9-12900Ryzen 9 3900
Cores1612
Threads2424
Performance Cores (P-cores)8--
Efficient Cores (E-cores)8--
Clock Speed2.4 GHz3.1 GHz
Turbo Clock5.1 GHz4.3 GHz
P-core Clock2.4 GHz--
P-core Turbo Clock5.1 GHz--
E-core Clock Speed1800.0 MHz--
E-core Turbo Clock3.8 GHz--
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier24.0x31.0x
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.

SpecCore i9-12900Ryzen 9 3900
L1 Cache80 KB64 KB
L2 Cache1.25 MB512 KB
L3 Cache30 MB64 MB
E-core L1 Cache96 KB--
E-core L2 Cache2 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.

SpecCore i9-12900Ryzen 9 3900
SocketIntel Socket 1700AMD Socket AM4
PCI ExpressPCIe 5.0 x20PCIe 4.0 x24
Thermal Design Power (TDP)65 W65 W
Power Limit 1 (PL1)65 W--
Power Limit 2 (PL2)202 W--
Package Power Tracking (PPT)--88 W
Tcase Max72 °C--
TJ Max100 °C95 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

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

SpecCore i9-12900Ryzen 9 3900
Integrated GraphicsUHD Graphics 770--
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, AVX-512, 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, TBT 3.0MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES, AVX, AVX2, BMI1, BMI2, SHA, F16C, FMA3, AMD64, EVP, AMD-V, SMAP, SMEP, SMT, Precision Boost 2, XFR 2

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