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CPU comparison

Intel Core i9-12900K vs AMD Ryzen 7 9700X

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 i9-12900KBCheck Price on AmazonAMD Ryzen 7 9700X

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

APart A

Intel

Core i9-12900K

  • Blender render score 339 samples/min
  • Cores 16
  • Max boost clock 5.2 GHz
VS

BPart B

AMD

Ryzen 7 9700X

  • Blender render score 321 samples/min
  • Cores 8
  • Max boost clock 5.5 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

Intel Core i9-12900K is 6% faster in the Blender benchmark

AIntel Core i9-12900K339

Median of 13 submissions

BAMD Ryzen 7 9700X321

Median of 85 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

A61%Good
B59%Good

Too close to call

Office Work

A72%Good
B76%Excellent

Better pick: Ryzen 7 9700X · TDP / base power: 65 W vs 125 W

Daily Use

A64%Good
B68%Good

Better pick: Ryzen 7 9700X · TDP / base power: 65 W vs 125 W

Content Creation

A55%Good
B46%Fair

Better pick: Core i9-12900K · Threads: 24 vs 16

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 i9-12900K

63/100

BAMD Ryzen 7 9700X

62/100

AIntel Core i9-12900K

Advantages

  • Cores 16 vs 8 (100% higher)
  • Threads 24 vs 16 (50% higher)
  • Blender render score 339 samples/min vs 321 samples/min (6% higher)

Disadvantages

  • TDP / base power 125 W vs 65 W (92% higher)
  • Base clock 3.2 GHz vs 3.8 GHz (16% lower)
  • L3 cache 30 MB vs 32 MB (6% lower)
  • Max boost clock 5.2 GHz vs 5.5 GHz (5% lower)

BAMD Ryzen 7 9700X

Advantages

  • TDP / base power 65 W vs 125 W (48% lower)
  • Base clock 3.8 GHz vs 3.2 GHz (19% higher)
  • L3 cache 32 MB vs 30 MB (7% higher)
  • Max boost clock 5.5 GHz vs 5.2 GHz (6% higher)

Disadvantages

  • Cores 8 vs 16 (50% lower)
  • Threads 16 vs 24 (33% lower)
  • Blender render score 321 samples/min vs 339 samples/min (5% lower)

03 · Full comparison

Side-by-side specifications

SpecificationAIntel Core i9-12900KBAMD Ryzen 7 9700X
Measured performance
Blender render scoreMedian of community-submitted Blender Benchmark results (Blender Open Data). Higher is faster.339 samples/min Better +6%321 samples/min
Benchmark submissionsHow many results the median is based on. Small numbers are less reliable.1385
Cores & clocks
Cores16 Better +100%8
Efficiency (E) cores8—
Threads24 Better +50%16
Base clock3.2 GHz3.8 GHz Better +19%
Max boost clock5.2 GHz5.5 GHz Better +6%
Memory & cache
L3 cache30 MB32 MB Better +7%
Memory supportDDR4 / DDR5DDR5
Power
TDP / base power125 W65 W Better
Features
Integrated graphicsYesYes
Platform
ArchitectureAlder LakeZen 5
SocketLGA1700AM5
Manufacturing processIntel 74 nm
Release year20212024
Launch price$589$359

Ready to buy?

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

ACheck Price on Amazon: Core i9-12900KBCheck Price on Amazon: Ryzen 7 9700X

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

Intel Core i9-12900K vs AMD Ryzen 7 9700X at a glance

This page compares the Intel Core i9-12900K and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X using published specifications and real measured benchmark results. In the Blender Benchmark, Intel Core i9-12900K posts a median render score of 339 against 321 for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, making it 6% faster. The medians are based on 13 and 85 community submissions.

Intel Core i9-12900K: 16 cores, 24 threads, 5.2 GHz max boost clock, 125 W tdp / base power, released in 2021, launched at $589. AMD Ryzen 7 9700X: 8 cores, 16 threads, 5.5 GHz max boost clock, 65 W tdp / base power, released in 2024, launched at $359.

Our overall scores are 63 for Core i9-12900K and 62 for Ryzen 7 9700X out of 100. By use case, the better pick is, for gaming: too close to call; for office work: Ryzen 7 9700X; for daily use: Ryzen 7 9700X; for content creation: Core i9-12900K. Blender measures rendering rather than game frame rates, so treat the gaming result as a guide built from render performance and specifications.

Core i9-12900K vs Ryzen 7 9700X FAQ

Which is faster, the Core i9-12900K or the Ryzen 7 9700X?

In the Blender Benchmark, Intel Core i9-12900K posts a median render score of 339 against 321 for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, making it 6% faster. The medians are based on 13 and 85 community submissions.

Which uses more power, the Core i9-12900K or the Ryzen 7 9700X?

The Intel Core i9-12900K is rated at 125 W and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X at 65 W, so the Ryzen 7 9700X draws 92% less on paper. Rated power is not the same as power drawn in your own workload.

How much did the Core i9-12900K and the Ryzen 7 9700X cost at launch?

The Intel Core i9-12900K launched at $589 and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X at $359. Street prices change often, so check a current price before buying.

Is the Core i9-12900K or the Ryzen 7 9700X better for gaming?

Our gaming scores for the two are within a few points of each other (61 and 59 out of 100). Blender is a rendering benchmark, so also look at independent game benchmarks.

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.