Intel Core i9-12900KF vs AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks


Intel Core i9-12900KF CPU1 vs CPU2 AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
Intel Core i9-12900KF AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

CPU comparison

In this CPU comparison, we compare the Intel Core i9-12900KF and the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.

We compare the Intel Core i9-12900KF 16 core processor released in Q4/2021 with the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X which has 16 CPU cores and was introduced in Q4/2020.
Intel Core i9 (78) Family AMD Ryzen 9 (34)
Intel Core i 12000 (34) CPU group AMD Ryzen 5000 (12)
12 Generation 4
Alder Lake S Architecture Vermeer (Zen 3)
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-11900KF Predecessor AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
Intel Core i9-13900KF Successor AMD Ryzen 9 7950X

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i9-12900KF is a 16 core processor with a clock frequency of 3.20 GHz (5.20 GHz). The processor can compute 24 threads at the same time. The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X clocks with 3.40 GHz (4.90 GHz), has 16 CPU cores and can calculate 32 threads in parallel.

Intel Core i9-12900KF Characteristic AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16 Cores 16
24 Threads 32
hybrid (big.LITTLE) Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking ? Yes
3.20 GHz (5.20 GHz)
8x Golden Cove
A-Core 3.40 GHz (4.90 GHz)
2.40 GHz (3.90 GHz)
8x Gracemont
B-Core --

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor.

Intel Core i9-12900KF Characteristic AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
-- AI hardware --
-- AI specifications --

Internal Graphics

Graphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback.

no iGPU GPU no iGPU
GPU frequency --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
-- GPU Generation --
Technology
Max. displays
-- Compute units --
-- Shader --
No Hardware Raytracing No
No Frame Generation No
-- Max. GPU Memory --
-- DirectX Version --

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.

no iGPU GPU no iGPU
No Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
No Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
No Codec h264 No
No Codec VP9 No
No Codec VP8 No
No Codec AV1 No
No Codec AVC No
No Codec VC-1 No
No Codec JPEG No

Memory & PCIe

Up to 128 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Intel Core i9-12900KF, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X supports a maximum of 128 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s enabled.

Intel Core i9-12900KF Characteristic AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 Memory DDR4-3200
128 GB Max. Memory 128 GB
2 (Dual Channel) Memory channels 2 (Dual Channel)
76.8 GB/s Max. Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s
No ECC Yes
14.00 MB L2 Cache 8.00 MB
30.00 MB L3 Cache 64.00 MB
5.0 PCIe version 4.0
20 PCIe lanes 20
78.8 GB/s PCIe Bandwidth 39.4 GB/s

Thermal Management

The Intel Core i9-12900KF has a TDP of 125 W. The TDP of the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is 105 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution.

Intel Core i9-12900KF Characteristic AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
125 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 105 W
241 W TDP (PL2) 142 W
-- TDP up --
-- TDP down --
100 °C Tjunction max. 95 °C

Technical details

The Intel Core i9-12900KF has 44.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 10 nm. The cache of AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is at 72.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 7 nm.

Intel Core i9-12900KF Characteristic AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
10 nm Technology 7 nm
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+ ISA extensions SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, FMA3
LGA 1700 Socket AM4 (PGA 1331)
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization AMD-V, SVM
Yes AES-NI Yes
Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux
Q4/2021 Release date Q4/2020
564 $ Release price 799 $
show more data show more data


Rate these processors

Here you can rate the Intel Core i9-12900KF to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 4.5 stars (2 ratings). Rate now:
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Average performance in benchmarks

⌀ Single core performance in 7 CPU benchmarks
⌀ Multi core performance in 9 CPU benchmarks

Cinebench 2024 (Single-Core)

The Cinebench 2024 benchmark is based on the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxon's 3D program Cinema 4D. The benchmark runs are each 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz
124 (100%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.90 GHz
95 (77%)

Cinebench 2024 (Multi-Core)

The Multi-Core test of the Cinebench 2024 benchmark uses all cpu cores to render using the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxons Cinema 4D. The benchmark run is 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz
1564 (100%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.90 GHz
1494 (96%)

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz
1997 (100%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.90 GHz
1644 (82%)

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.00 GHz
27472 (96%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.20 GHz
28577 (100%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz
1990 (100%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.90 GHz
1759 (88%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.00 GHz
17595 (100%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.20 GHz
16606 (94%)

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The single-core benchmark only evaluates the performance of the fastest CPU core, the number of CPU cores in a processor is irrelevant here.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz
2664 (100%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.90 GHz
2215 (83%)

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The multi-core benchmark evaluates the performance of all of the processor's CPU cores. Virtual thread improvements such as AMD SMT or Intel's Hyper-Threading have a positive impact on the benchmark result.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.00 GHz
15986 (100%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.20 GHz
13214 (83%)

Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R20 is the successor of Cinebench R15 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz
779 (100%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.90 GHz
647 (83%)

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R20 is the successor of Cinebench R15 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.00 GHz
10511 (100%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.20 GHz
10428 (99%)

Blender 3.1 Benchmark

In the Blender Benchmark 3.1, the scenes "monster", "junkshop" and "classroom" are rendered and the time required by the system is measured. In our benchmark we test the CPU and not the graphics card. Blender 3.1 was presented as a standalone version in March 2022.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.00 GHz
364 (79%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.20 GHz
461 (100%)

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Some of the CPUs listed below have been benchmarked by CPU-monkey. However the majority of CPUs have not been tested and the results have been estimated by a CPU-monkey’s secret proprietary formula. As such they do not accurately reflect the actual Passmark CPU mark values and are not endorsed by PassMark Software Pty Ltd.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.00 GHz
41207 (90%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.20 GHz
45910 (100%)

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Single-Core)

The CPU-Z benchmark measures a processor's performance by measuring the time it takes the system to complete all benchmark calculations. The faster the benchmark is completed, the higher the score.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.00 GHz
819 (100%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.20 GHz
671 (82%)

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

The CPU-Z benchmark measures a processor's performance by measuring the time it takes the system to complete all benchmark calculations. The faster the benchmark is completed, the higher the score.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 3.20 GHz
11365 (93%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 3.40 GHz
12265 (100%)

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R15 is the successor of Cinebench 11.5 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.20 GHz
294 (100%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.90 GHz
277 (94%)

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R15 is the successor of Cinebench 11.5 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
16C 24T @ 5.00 GHz
4111 (90%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
16C 32T @ 4.20 GHz
4569 (100%)

CPU performance per watt (efficiency)

Efficiency of the processor under full load in the Cinebench R23 (multi-core) benchmark. The benchmark result is divided by the average energy required (CPU package power in watts). The higher the value, the more efficient the CPU is under full load.
Intel Core i9-12900KF Intel Core i9-12900KF
27,472 CB R23 MC @ 240 W
114 (61%)
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
28,577 CB R23 MC @ 153 W
186 (100%)

Devices using this processor

Intel Core i9-12900KF AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
Unknown Unknown

News and articles for the Intel Core i9-12900KF and the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

Why the new AMD Ryzen 7000 processors for the AM5 socket are currently not a good deal
Why the new AMD Ryzen 7000 processors for the AM5 socket are currently not a good deal
Posted by Stefan on 2022-10-11
At the end of September 2022, the time had come: AMD presented its latest desktop processors called AMD Ryzen 7000. Initially, 4 processors with 6 to 16 CPU cores were released.

The new socket AM5 (LGA 1718) is used for the first time, which is intended to replace the very durable socket AM4 introduced in 2017 as AMDs mainstream platform. This includes (depending on the chipset) PCIe 5.0 support as well as the exclusive use of DDR5 memory on all AM5 mainboards.

Officially, DDR5-5200 is the maximum, but with AMDs EXPO Technology which is similar to Intel's XMP 3.0, AMD now also has a solution for easy overclocking of the main memory. AMD itself names DDR5-6000 as the sweet spot for the new AMD Ryzen 7000 processors.
The evolution of AMD Ryzen processors
The evolution of AMD Ryzen processors
Posted by Stefan on 2022-09-06
The AMD Ryzen processors are designed for the mid to high-end range and are grouped into the Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9 classes. AMD follows the market leader Intel, which groups its Core i series (Intel Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 and Core i9) identically.

The AMD Ryzen processors were first introduced by AMD in Q1 2017. They are the successor to the not particularly successful AMD Bulldozer processors. The latter were manufactured using an outdated manufacturing process and could not keep up with the competing products from Intel. AMD lost a large portion of its desktop processor market share during this period.
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X and AMD Ryzen 7 7800X are coming in September
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X and AMD Ryzen 7 7800X are coming in September
Posted by Stefan on 2022-06-20
After we published a performance assessment of the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X last week, the well-known AMD leaker Greymon55 has now posted more informations via Twitter.

He predicts the first four models of the new Zen 4 desktop generation, which AMD would like to present at the end of 2022. There is also an alleged release date of September 15, 2022.
Intel Core i9-13900 benchmark of engineering sample
Intel Core i9-13900 benchmark of engineering sample
Posted by Stefan on 2022-06-15
Intels 13th generation of the Intel Core i series (Raptor Lake) is about to be released and a lot of information is already known from the official side. This information includes e.g. the number of CPU cores, the expected increase in performance and the manufacturing technology of the new CPUs.

We compare the technical data of the Intel Core i9-13900 with its predecessor and look at benchmarks that have already been published.
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X - Cinebench R23 Benchmark projection
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X - Cinebench R23 Benchmark projection
Posted by Stefan on 2022-06-10
We give you a preview of AMD's new Zen 4 desktop processors and calculate the performance of the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X top model for the new AM5 socket. The performance data and other technical details come directly from the press kit that AMD released as part of its Financial Analyst Day on June 9, 2022.

Up to 15 percent more single-core performance and 35 percent more multi-core performance of the 16-core model are realistic !

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