Intel Core i9-12900KS vs AMD Ryzen 9 7900X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i9-12900KS and AMD Ryzen 9 7900X 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.

Intel Core i9-12900KS

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-12900KS

4 more cores, run more applications at once: 16 vs 12
Around 67% more L1 cache; more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
Around 67% more L2 cache; more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 13% lower typical power consumption: 150 Watt vs 170 Watt
Around 2% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 4344 vs 4254

Specifications (specs)
Number of cores	16 vs 12
L1 cache	1280 KB vs 768 KB
L2 cache	20 MB vs 12 MB
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	150 Watt vs 170 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	4344 vs 4254

Reasons to consider the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X

CPU is newer: launch date 5 month(s) later
Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
Around 2% higher clock speed: 5.6 GHz vs 5.50 GHz
Around 11% higher maximum core temperature: 100 °C vs 90°C
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 5 nm vs 7 nm
2.1x more L3 cache, more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
Around 17% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 51695 vs 44016
Around 5% better performance in 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score: 12732 vs 12139

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	27 Sep 2022 vs 5 Apr 2022
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Maximum frequency	5.6 GHz vs 5.50 GHz
Maximum core temperature	100 °C vs 90°C
Manufacturing process technology	5 nm vs 7 nm
L3 cache	64 MB vs 30 MB
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark	51695 vs 44016
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	12732 vs 12139

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i9-12900KS
CPU 2: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

4344

4254

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

44016

51695

3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score

CPU 1

CPU 2

12139

12732

Name	Intel Core i9-12900KS	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
PassMark - Single thread mark	4344	4254
PassMark - CPU mark	44016	51695
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	12139	12732

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i9-12900KS	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
Essentials
Architecture codename	Alder Lake	Zen 4
Launch date	5 Apr 2022	27 Sep 2022
Launch price (MSRP)	$823	$549
Place in performance rating	103	87
Processor Number	i9-12900KS
Series	12th Generation Intel Core i9 Processors
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
OPN Tray		100-000000589
Performance
64 bit support
L1 cache	1280 KB	768 KB
L2 cache	20 MB	12 MB
L3 cache	30 MB	64 MB
Manufacturing process technology	7 nm	5 nm
Maximum core temperature	90°C	100 °C
Maximum frequency	5.50 GHz	5.6 GHz
Number of cores	16	12
Number of threads	24	24
Base frequency		4.7 GHz
Die size		70 mm²
Maximum case temperature (TCase)		47 °C
Transistor count		13140 million
Unlocked
Memory
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	76.8 GB/s
Maximum memory size	128 GB
Supported memory types	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s	DDR5-5200
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	1
Package Size	45.0 mm x 37.5 mm
Sockets supported	FCLGA1700	AM5
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	150 Watt	170 Watt
Thermal Solution	PCG 2022E
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	20	24
PCI Express revision	5.0 and 4.0	5.0
PCIe configurations	Up to 1x16+4, 2x8+4
Scalability	1S Only
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® OS Guard
Intel® Secure Key technology
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
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® Thermal Velocity Boost
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Intel® Volume Management Device (VMD)
Speed Shift technology
Thermal Monitoring
Enhanced Virus Protection (EVP)
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™)