Intel Core i9-12900K vs AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i9-12900K and AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Graphics, Graphics interfaces, Graphics image quality, Graphics API support, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core.

Intel Core i9-12900K

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-12900K

CPU is newer: launch date 1 year(s) 11 month(s) later
Around 16% higher clock speed: 5.20 GHz vs 4.5 GHz
Around 47% higher maximum core temperature: 100°C vs 68 °C
Around 56% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 4157 vs 2664

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	4 Nov 2021 vs 25 Nov 2019
Maximum frequency	5.20 GHz vs 4.5 GHz
Maximum core temperature	100°C vs 68 °C
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	4157 vs 2664

Reasons to consider the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
2x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
Around 14% more L2 cache; more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
4.3x more L3 cache, more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
4x more maximum memory size: 512 GB vs 128 GB
Around 52% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 63066 vs 41435
Around 43% better performance in 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score: 16672 vs 11671

Specifications (specs)
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
L1 cache	2 MB vs 1 MB
L2 cache	16 MB vs 14 MB
L3 cache	128 MB vs 30 MB
Maximum memory size	512 GB vs 128 GB
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark	63066 vs 41435
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	16672 vs 11671

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i9-12900K
CPU 2: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

4157

2664

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

41435

63066

3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score

CPU 1

CPU 2

11671

16672

Name	Intel Core i9-12900K	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
PassMark - Single thread mark	4157	2664
PassMark - CPU mark	41435	63066
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	11671	16672
Geekbench 4 - Single Core		1264
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core		22457

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i9-12900K	AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Essentials
Architecture codename	Alder Lake	Zen 2
Launch date	4 Nov 2021	25 Nov 2019
Launch price (MSRP)	$589 - $599	$1999
Place in performance rating	126	193
Processor Number	i9-12900K
Series	12th Generation Intel Core i9 Processors
Status	Launched
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Performance
64 bit support
L1 cache	1 MB	2 MB
L2 cache	14 MB	16 MB
L3 cache	30 MB	128 MB
Manufacturing process technology	Intel 7	7 nm
Maximum core temperature	100°C	68 °C
Maximum frequency	5.20 GHz	4.5 GHz
Base frequency		3.7 GHz
Number of cores		32
Number of threads		64
Unlocked
Memory
Max memory channels	2	4
Maximum memory bandwidth	76.8 GB/s
Maximum memory size	128 GB	512 GB
Supported memory types	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s	DDR4-3200
ECC memory support
Graphics
Device ID	0x4680
Execution Units	32
Graphics base frequency	300 MHz
Graphics max dynamic frequency	1.55 GHz
Intel® Clear Video HD technology
Intel® Quick Sync Video
Processor graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Graphics interfaces
Number of displays supported	4
Graphics image quality
Max resolution over DisplayPort	7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDP	5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Graphics API support
DirectX	12
OpenGL	4.5
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1
Package Size	45.0 mm x 37.5 mm
Sockets supported	FCLGA1700	sTRX4
Thermal Solution	PCG 2020A
Thermal Design Power (TDP)		280 Watt
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	20	64
PCI Express revision	5.0 and 4.0	4.0
PCIe configurations	Up to 1x16+4, 2x8+4
Scalability	1S Only
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® OS Guard
Intel® Secure Key technology
Mode-based Execute Control (MBE)
Secure Boot
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Idle States
Instruction set extensions	Intel SSE4.1, Intel SSE4.2, Intel AVX2
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Optane™ Memory Supported
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Intel® Volume Management Device (VMD)
Speed Shift technology
Thermal Monitoring
Fused Multiply-Add 3 (FMA3)
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions 2 (AVX2)
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)
AMD Virtualization (AMD-V™)