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CPU comparison

Intel Core i7-12700 vs AMD Ryzen 5 9600X

Benchmark comparison and full specifications, with the measured difference and a clear winner for gaming, office work, daily use and content creation.

ACheck Price on AmazonIntel Core i7-12700BCheck Price on AmazonAMD Ryzen 5 9600X

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.

APart A

Intel

Core i7-12700

  • Blender render score 261 samples/min
  • Cores 12
  • Max boost clock 4.9 GHz
VS

BPart B

AMD

Ryzen 5 9600X

  • Blender render score 275 samples/min
  • Cores 6
  • Max boost clock 5.4 GHz
Compare other parts

01 · Performance profile

How they score

Scores out of 100 for each way you might use a processor. The chart shows where both parts rank among all 667 CPUs in our database.

Measured performance

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is 5% faster in the Blender benchmark

AIntel Core i7-12700261

Median of 6 submissions

BAMD Ryzen 5 9600X275

Median of 75 submissions

Blender Benchmark render score (samples per minute, higher is faster), the median of community-submitted results from Blender Open Data.

A
B
Lowest: 2Average: 22Highest: 79

Gaming

A49%Fair
B55%Good

Better pick: Ryzen 5 9600X · Max boost clock: 5.4 GHz vs 4.9 GHz

Office Work

A72%Good
B73%Good

Too close to call

Daily Use

A64%Good
B65%Good

Too close to call

Content Creation

A47%Fair
B40%Fair

Better pick: Core i7-12700 · Threads: 20 vs 12

02 · Verdict

Too close to call

Both parts score within a few points. Choose on price, availability and the use case that matters most to you.

AIntel Core i7-12700

58/100

BAMD Ryzen 5 9600X

58/100

AIntel Core i7-12700

Advantages

  • Cores 12 vs 6 (100% higher)
  • Threads 20 vs 12 (67% higher)

Disadvantages

  • Base clock 2.1 GHz vs 3.9 GHz (46% lower)
  • L3 cache 25 MB vs 32 MB (22% lower)
  • Max boost clock 4.9 GHz vs 5.4 GHz (9% lower)
  • Blender render score 261 samples/min vs 275 samples/min (5% lower)

BAMD Ryzen 5 9600X

Advantages

  • Base clock 3.9 GHz vs 2.1 GHz (86% higher)
  • L3 cache 32 MB vs 25 MB (28% higher)
  • Max boost clock 5.4 GHz vs 4.9 GHz (10% higher)
  • Blender render score 275 samples/min vs 261 samples/min (5% higher)

Disadvantages

  • Cores 6 vs 12 (50% lower)
  • Threads 12 vs 20 (40% lower)

03 · Full comparison

Side-by-side specifications

SpecificationAIntel Core i7-12700BAMD Ryzen 5 9600X
Measured performance
Blender render scoreMedian of community-submitted Blender Benchmark results (Blender Open Data). Higher is faster.261 samples/min275 samples/min Better +5%
Benchmark submissionsHow many results the median is based on. Small numbers are less reliable.675
Cores & clocks
Cores12 Better +100%6
Efficiency (E) cores4—
Threads20 Better +67%12
Base clock2.1 GHz3.9 GHz Better +86%
Max boost clock4.9 GHz5.4 GHz Better +10%
Memory & cache
L3 cache25 MB32 MB Better +28%
Memory supportDDR4 / DDR5DDR5
Power
TDP / base power65 W65 W
Features
Integrated graphicsYesYes
Platform
ArchitectureAlder LakeZen 5
SocketLGA1700AM5
Manufacturing processIntel 74 nm
Release year20222024
Launch price$339$279

Ready to buy?

Prices change daily. Check the current price of each part.

ACheck Price on Amazon: Core i7-12700BCheck Price on Amazon: Ryzen 5 9600X

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.

Intel Core i7-12700 vs AMD Ryzen 5 9600X at a glance

This page compares the Intel Core i7-12700 and the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X using published specifications and real measured benchmark results. In the Blender Benchmark, AMD Ryzen 5 9600X posts a median render score of 275 against 261 for Intel Core i7-12700, making it 5% faster. The medians are based on 75 and 6 community submissions.

Intel Core i7-12700: 12 cores, 20 threads, 4.9 GHz max boost clock, 65 W tdp / base power, released in 2022, launched at $339. AMD Ryzen 5 9600X: 6 cores, 12 threads, 5.4 GHz max boost clock, 65 W tdp / base power, released in 2024, launched at $279.

Our overall scores are 58 for Core i7-12700 and 58 for Ryzen 5 9600X out of 100. By use case, the better pick is, for gaming: Ryzen 5 9600X; for office work: too close to call; for daily use: too close to call; for content creation: Core i7-12700. Blender measures rendering rather than game frame rates, so treat the gaming result as a guide built from render performance and specifications.

Core i7-12700 vs Ryzen 5 9600X FAQ

Which is faster, the Core i7-12700 or the Ryzen 5 9600X?

In the Blender Benchmark, AMD Ryzen 5 9600X posts a median render score of 275 against 261 for Intel Core i7-12700, making it 5% faster. The medians are based on 75 and 6 community submissions.

Which uses more power, the Core i7-12700 or the Ryzen 5 9600X?

Both are rated at 65 W.

How much did the Core i7-12700 and the Ryzen 5 9600X cost at launch?

The Intel Core i7-12700 launched at $339 and the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X at $279. Street prices change often, so check a current price before buying.

Is the Core i7-12700 or the Ryzen 5 9600X better for gaming?

Our gaming score favours the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (49 vs 55 out of 100). That score blends measured render performance with clock speed, cache and memory, because no game benchmark is included in our data.

More CPU comparisons

About this data

Benchmark numbers come from Blender Open Data, a public collection of results submitted by real users, shown as medians with the submission count. Specifications and launch prices are compiled from manufacturer information and may contain mistakes. See how it all works on thePC Parts Comparison page, or report an error through our contact page. This page contains affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.